The Smart Set is a weekly feature, compiled and posted by Lauren Cerand, that usually appears Mondays at 12:30 pm, and highlights the best of the week to come. Special favor is given to New York’s independent booksellers and venues, and low-cost and free events. Please send details to Ms. Cerand at lauren [at] maudnewton.com by the Thursday prior to . . .
At Omnivoracious, Junot Díaz offers a preview of his next novel(-in-progress). “Who knows when it will ever see the light of day again,” he says.
“He was buried with his snooker cues, some very good Burgundy, chocolates, HB pencils, and a power saw.” Match the author with the Wiki bio.
“Voice Lessons,” a short story by Kate Christensen, is being posted in installments at Five Chapters this week.
Jonathan Coe’s The Rain Before It Falls, just out in the States, owes Rosamond Lehmann more than the name of its narrator.