My grandmother died this morning. She went peacefully, holding my aunt’s hand. I’m sad, of course, but relieved she’s not suffering, and glad I went down to Nashville for the weekend. I think she understood most of the things I told her. I fly back to Tennessee tomorrow. Unfortunately, the handbook I’ll need for the funeral — Being Dead Is . . .
The Smart Set is a weekly feature, compiled by Lauren Cerand, that appears Mondays 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 submit details to lauren@maudnewton.com. MONDAY, 3.14: Walking is apparently so rare in Los Angeles (where I am at the moment) . . .
That’s all for me. I had loftier goals, but my spirit has been deflated grading mid-terms. The proprietress, Maud, should be back on Monday or thereabouts, but only if you are wearing shoes and a shirt. She’s a stickler. See you next week.
In the information age, getting invited to speak pretty much anywhere increasingly carries the burdens of running for office: just about anything you’ve ever said or done publicly will get dredged up and put on the internet, and possibly result in your ass getting uninvited. Be careful out there, gang. A Virginia high school asked gay mystery writer Greg Herren . . .
The honorable and charming Book Thing in Baltimore needs your help. The Old Hag lays it on the line here. The Cincinatti Opera will be premiering “Introducing Margaret Garner”, a new opera, based on Toni Morrison’s Beloved later this year. No more conspiracies of silence: The pre-published speak out. (via Sarah Weinman) A new musical based on George Saunders’ “The . . .