If you were Chuck Palahniuk’s writing student, you’d have much to consider: When to use “big voice,” how to turn objects into recurring symbols, why you’d use a clock and a gun – figuratively, please. Even those who don’t find the Portland-area author’s fiction “likable” (the reason a literary agent once gave for declining the opportunity to represent him, he writes) will find plenty of advice to like in his latest book, “Consider This: Moments in My Writing Life After Which Everything was Different” (Grand Central Publishing, 256 pages, $27). The book alternates between short, conversational discussions of literary techniques and devices and wry, often bemused anecdotes about Palahniuk’s experiences on the literary circuit.
That includes attracting gargantuan numbers of fans to his public appearances – he’s scheduled to sign copies of “Consider This” for an eye-popping eight hours starting at noon Monday, Jan. 6, at Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland. And get this: Palahniuk writes in “Consider This” that eight hours is a short appearance for him. Powell’s is requiring a purchase of the book to join the signing line.
Jessica Mehta’s new poetry collection examines identity, loss and love
The punches start with the dedication – “For all the murdered & missing indigenous women” – and keep coming. In “Savagery” (Airlie Press, 47 pages, $16), Portland poet Jessica Mehta, publishing as J.C. Mehta, holds nothing back in pointed, bruising language: “I’m so sorry I saw you gut-punched and ugly as a man”; “I dried up all my fights fighting for you, and I’m too tired, too busted, too beaten black and blue to do it anymore.” So much that is left unsaid in daily life about identity, loss and love is said here, distilled into 40-plus poems that read like concentrates of memory and emotion. Mehta reads from the collection as part of the Incite: Queer Writers Read series at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, at Literary Arts, 925 S.W. Washington St.
Michelle Pfeiffer stars in 2020 film adaption of Patrick deWitt’s ‘French Exit’
Portland author Patrick deWitt is on a roll when it comes to having his novels optioned by Hollywood. His 2012 novel “The Sisters Brothers,” a sardonic, casually violent Gold Rush tale told from the perspective of a mercenary having an existential crisis, was made into a 2018 movie starring Joaquin Phoenix and John C. Reilly. Now a film adaptation of his 2018 novel “French Exit,” the impeccably written story of an aging socialite who hides her precarious finances by taking over a friend’s Paris flat, is in post-production. Michelle Pfeiffer stars as the imperious Frances Price; Lucas Hedges (“Manchester By the Sea”) plays her aimless grown son, Malcolm. The cast also includes Valerie Mahaffey (“Northern Exposure”) and Danielle Macdonald (“Dumplin’”). A 2020 release date is planned.
Literary events for Jan. 3-9
Admission is free unless otherwise indicated.
Anna Borges, a senior editor at Self magazine, discusses her new book “The More or Less Definitive Guide to Self-Care.” 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3, Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland.
Oregon author Jory John’s latest picture book, “The Cool Bean,” is the featured title for a kids’ storytime. 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland.
Suzanne Lang’s picture book “Grumpy Monkey” is featured in a storytime with activities. 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, at Barnes & Noble stores at Bridgeport Village, Clackamas Town Center, Lloyd Center, Tanasbourne and Vancouver Plaza.
Creative entrepreneur Elise Blaha Cripe presents her motivational book “Big Dreams, Daily Joys.” 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5, Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland.
Kevin Shinick presents his young-adult novel “Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Force Collector,” about a teenage boy with inexplicable visions. 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, 3415 S.W. Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton.
Oregon Children's Theatre, which is putting on a stage adaptation of Adam Rubin’s picture book “Dragons Love Tacos” Jan. 18 through Feb. 16, presents a storytime featuring a sneak preview of the play. 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, Green Bean Books, 1600 N.E. Alberta St., Portland.
Climber and guide Sharon Wood presents her memoir, “Rising: Becoming the First North American Woman on Everest.” 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, REI, 1405 N.W. Johnson St., Portland.
Seattle author Paula Becker discusses her book about her son, “A House on Stilts: Mothering in the Age of Opioid Addiction.” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland.
Portland poet Shawn Aveningo Sanders reads from her collection “What She Was Wearing,” which centers on her rape in college. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, Annie Bloom’s Books, 7834 S.W. Capitol Highway.
Shea Serrano reads from his pop culture book “Movies (And Other Things).” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland.
Kiersten White discusses “Chosen,” her second novel set in the world of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” with Portland fantasy author Laini Taylor. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, Powell’s at Cedar Hills Crossing, 3415 S.W. Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton.
Portland author Camille Virginia discusses her book “The Offline Dating Method: How to Attract a Great Guy in the Real World.” 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, Annie Bloom’s Books, 7834 S.W. Capitol Highway.
E.J. Koh discusses her memoir about her Korean American family, “The Magical Language of Others,” with Portland poet Mary Szybist. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland.
Walt Gragg reads from his new Middle East military thriller “The Chosen One.” 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, Powell’s on Hawthorne, 3723 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd., Portland.
awang@oregonian.com; Twitter: @ORAmyW
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