2009 Wrap-Up!

I hope you didn’t miss December’s reading! Joseph Boyden interspersed Canadian jokes–the repeating of which this American dares not attempt–between his readings: creative non-fiction and excerpts from two of his novels (part of a proposed trilogy). Perhaps this was to lighten the rather somber mood of his readings; the non-fiction pieces were tied together by car-rides and the power of birth and death, and the fiction held some of the horrors of war. To paraphrase Mr. Boyden from the question and answer session, it was not possible to make up anything more horrifying than what actually happened. Still, the overall result of Mr. Boyden’s reading was not chilling, but quite simply, captivating.

After the intermission, Katie McGinnis from Tulane read a collection of Jewish-themed poetry, followed by Britton Blackall of UNO, reading a miscellaneous collection of poetry, including a few that seemed to follow the Native American theme that had risen in Joseph Boyden’s fiction. Kathryn Bell, a senior at Loyola, finished the evening with a gripping work of fiction reflecting the bloody tale of a modern Prometheus.

That wraps it up for 2009, but 1718 is headed for a great year in 2010! Hope to see you next month!

Joseph Boyden to read on December 8th!

For the last event of the fall season, Joseph Boyden will read Tuesday, December 8th at 7pm at the Columns Hotel. Boyden is an internationally renowned Canadian fiction writer who won the 2008 Scotiabank Giller Prize for his novel, Through Black Spruce. His first novel, Three Day Road, has won numerous awards including the Roger’s Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize in 2006. Boyden studied writing at York University and the University of New Orleans and has taught at the Aboriginal Student Program at Northern College.

Following Joseph’s reading, student readers Kathryn Bell from Loyola University, Britton Blackall from University of New Orleans and Katie McGinnis from Tulane University. Arrive early for a seat and to enjoy happy hour from 5-7pm!

Thomas Beller’s Reading a Success!

To say the evening began with a bit of excitement would be an understatement! Despite a few necessary furniture rearrangements, our dear Lesley staving off illness, and the appearance of a celebrity, the reading was quite phenomenal, and our beautiful room at the Columns Hotel was packed! Thomas Beller read an essay entitled “Ipod on the Tracks,” and we learned it is a matter of pride not to ask a man in a wheelchair for help, however un-handicapped that man may be. This was followed by the more risque short story, “The Baggage Carousel,” which had many comedic moments but also an undeniable feeling of tragedy. His reading was very engaging; Beller’s tone during dialogue really emphasized the tension between the characters, and the audience was hanging on every word. We’re so glad he was able to read!

After the brief intermission, we enoyed three very different styles of poetry from Loyola senior Nate Thacker, Tulane junior Betsy Porritt (1718 Staff), and UNO senior Bobby Ledoux. What a great night! Hope to see you at the next reading!

Thomas Beller reads November 3rd!

This upcoming Tuesday, November 3^rd, Creative non-fiction and fiction writer Thomas Beller will read at 1718.  Beller is a professor at Tulane University.  Beller has published a collection of short stories entitled Seduction Theory, a Los Angeles Times Best Book Award winning novel The Sleep-Over Artist and a collection of autobiographical essays entitled How to Be a Man: Scenes from a Protracted Boyhood. Additionally, Beller has edited three anthologies, founded the literary website Mr. Beller’s Neighborhood, and co-founded the literary magazine Open City.  Beller’s work has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, ELLE, Spin, Vogue, Slate and The Village Voice. You can visit his website at http://www.thomasbeller.com/ and http://www.mrbellersneighborhood.com/.

After a brief intermission, student readers from UNO, Tulane and Loyola will follow.  Please come early to enjoy happy hour at the historic Columns Hotel.  The reading will start at 7.