The SouthCoast is jam-packed with upcoming author events
We’re in the midst of summer reading season, baby, and author events are popping up at both ends of the SouthCoast, from the Cape line to South Dartmouth. BookLovers, tell your diaries: they are about to be filled. Now let’s go and #GetYourCopySigned.
100 things to do on Cape Cod and the islands before you die
The subtitle says it all.
Boston-based freelance writer Kim Foley MacKinnon often spends time on Cape Cod. In her new book, she’s put together what she calls “100 things to do on Cape Cod and the islands before you die.”
Travelers come from all over the world to see Cape Cod, the beauty that lies just down Rt. 6 from SouthCoast – and we have ferry service right here in New Bedford. If any travelers can knock these items off the to-do list, we at SouthCoasters have the most ample opportunity.
From Cape Town’s beaches to its “quirky museums, like Toad Hall with its impressive collection of red sports cars”, eating lobster at Martha’s Vineyard’s Larsen Fish Market or grabbing a brass ring while riding the Flying Horses Island carousel, MacKinnon has 100 suggestions.
Meet her and #GetYourCopySigned at Titcomb Bookstore, 432 Route 6A, East Sandwich on July 21 at 2 p.m.
“SIX WALKS”
The fear with a concept book like retracing the footsteps of Henry David Thoreau is that it will veer into twee tropes. But Ben Shattuck’s “Six Walks” reads wonderfully authentic. The South Dartmouth writer/artist’s odyssey, which traces Thoreau’s famous walks through Massachusetts, is a metaphysical journey, laced with dry humor, organic ideas and Shattuck rumination. As he is an artist – also a gallery manager and senior curator at his mother’s Dedee Shattuck Gallery in Westport – there are also sketches of his wanderings.
For people (like me) who love and connect with Thoreau, this is a must read. Even if you don’t like Henry, you’ll want to read this reminder of how nature can move us intimately.
Meet Shattuck and #GetYourCopySigned at the Titcomb Bookstore in East Sandwich on July 22 at 6:30 p.m.
MORE TITCOMB’S
Speaking of Titcomb’s…I’ll mention it here, it’s a real gem of an independent bookstore. They are constantly hosting author events. I literally don’t have a place to mention every author on their calendar, but invite you to check their website, for upcoming events from their Book Club event with Pip Williams on July 19, to the Historian’s front desk maritime Eric Jay Dolin speaking about “Rebels at Sea” July 26 at the Sandwich Public Library.
DAVOLL GENERAL STORE
And speaking of Shattuck… You probably know by now that he and his brother Will bought the Davoll General Store in South Dartmouth. Since opening its doors last year, the 18th-century building has transformed into a rustic South Coast gem — and its book section is beautifully curated. If you haven’t been there yet, check it out. (While you’re at it, check out their monthly book club.)
They also have author readings: on July 23, they are hosting a poetry reading with Kylie Gellatly; On July 26, they host something called “Pse N’ Food”, billed as “Hemingway + oysters, fish sandwiches + wine”. (I’m intrigued.) And mark your calendars for August 17 at 5 p.m. when they welcome author William Martin to “December 41.”
MARCEL THE SHELL
Honorary SouthCoaster Shattuck actress/comedian/writer Jenny Slate has signed copies of her new book, “Marcel the Shell with Shoes on: Things About Me,” co-written with Dean Fleischer-Camp, at Davoll’s.
You may remember in 1919 when I covered his reading to a packed house at the Dedee Shattuck Gallery. At the time, Slate was on a national book tour for his collection of essays, “Little Weirds.” Her mother-in-law’s gallery was the finale of the book tour. At the time, she told us, “I will live here for the rest of my life.
Jenny, you are now a full SouthCoaster, my daughter. #LocalAuthor
Slate Instagrammed a video of Davoll’s lovely book section with the caption: “It’s good when your husband owns the general store because you can put your @marcelthemovie READ poster in the kids section of the bookstore and honestly what the heck else would anyone even want? PS they have watermelon margaritas at the bar here @davollsgeneralstore.”
Hey, all of the above looks good to me.
Until next week, BookLovers: Read on.
Lauren Daley is a freelance writer. She tweets @laurendaley1. Read more on https://www.facebook.com/daley.writer.
