S.J. Tucker and Catherynne Valente put on quite a show
Yesterday I went to Pandemonium Books & Games for an unusual event, to celebrate the release of Catherynne M. Valente’s new book Palimpsest.

They opened with readings of select passages by folzgold, s00j, Kevin K' Wiley, and Catherynne herself.

s00j then played a song based on the passages. They continued to alternate between readings by Catherynne and songs by s00j, then suddenly it was two hours later.

The venue worked quite well, it was full without being overcrouded, the underground room suited the works, even the rumbling of the red-line seemed to go with the storytelling not detract. The only failing (and it wasn't the management's fault) was that they sold out of copies of the book before everyone there could get one.

S.J. Tucker sang in a different "voice" for each song. Kevin said afterwards that she is almost fully recovered from her health issues. If that was "almost" then I'm not sure the room could have handled the full power of s00j.

Catherynne M. Valente is an excellent reader (not all authors are) willing to let the book speak for itself. From the passages read, the book is both a sensual and intellectual exploration of place.

Anyone going on the train trip is in for a real treat.