Books
Jennifer Hudson Signs ‘I Got This’ in ATL
Jennifer Hudson signed copies of her new book, ‘I Got This: How I Changed My Ways and Lost What Weighed Me Down‘ yesterday, first at the Weight Watchers Center in Kennesaw and later at Barnes & Noble in Buckhead…
After the signing, an ATLboy reader dined next to J-Hud for dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. The last time she was in ATL performing at the W Midtown, we spotted Hudson and her family having lunch at Willy’s Piedmont Park.
Wonder how many Weight Watchers points are on those restaurants?
Remain in Light, Andy Warhol
As bookstores in Atlanta and around the country close, two local authors have turned to e-books to get their words out, just in time for the holidays.
(Amazon says it is selling more than one million Kindles per week, and that their new Kindle Fire is the #1 bestselling, most gifted and most wished for product across the millions of items available on Amazon).
But back to the books…
If you visited the High Museum of Art’s Picasso to Warhol exhibit, you’ll enjoy poet Megan Volpert’s Sonics in Warholia (Kindle, $6.99).
A collection of love letters and hate mail Volpert imagines sending to pop icon Andy Warhol, it suggests that love him or hate him, we all have a little bit of Andy’s ghost hiding somewhere within us.
If you’ve enjoyed other biographies about and books by Andy Warhol (like my favorites, POP! and The Andy Warhol Diaries), Sonics in Warholia is a must-read.
Collin Kelley has penned Remain in Light (Kindle, $4.99), a mystery that takes readers from America to London to the fabled City of Light. This is the second novel in Kelley’s Conquering Venus trilogy.
Several characters from Kelley’s original Conquering Venus remain, but several more complex ones are introduced to keep the trilogy flowing.
If you like mystery novels and/or London, you’ll love Remain in Light.
Both authors are published by Sibling Rivalry Press.
What is your favorite book on the Kindle?
Outwrite Bookstore Closes Its Cover
We were saddened to hear the news today that Outwrite Bookstore, one of the country’s longest-lasting LGBT bookstores, is closing it’s 10th and Piedmont location…
Over the years, Outwrite hosted many celebrities and reality stars for book signings including Roseanne Barr, Carson Kressley, Pam Grier, Jake Shears of the Scissor Sisters, Lance Bass, Tabatha Coffey of Bravo’s ‘Tabatha’s Salon Takeover‘ and the Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Most recently, Kendra Wilkinson, Meredith Baxter, CNN’s Don Lemmon, Judge Glenda Hatchett, and ‘Wicked‘ author Gregory Maguire appeared at the store. We also remember seeing the late Tammy Faye Messner and a grumpy Chaz Bono.
Outwrite also hosted many events for local and first-time LGBT authors, including two book release parties for our ‘ATLANTAboy: An Insider’s Guide to Gay Atlanta‘ and ‘The Out Traveler: Atlanta‘ guidebooks.
Beginning today, everything in the store is 25% off as Outwrite begins liquidating its inventory.
We will miss Outwrite at 10th and Piedmont, but look forward to its next chapter. There will also be a signed celebrity book poster auction (date coming soon) and on December 3rd, an in-store party to thank Outwrite’s customers and celebrate its 18th anniversary.
Here’s the notice Outwrite owner Philip Rafshoon sent out today:
As you may know, we have been challenged by changes in the book industry and the downturn in the economy. At this time, we regret to share with you that the lease at our current location will soon be coming to an end.
Our landlord has been extremely cooperative and has worked with us longer than expected. Our departure is amicable. The bottom line is simply we can no longer afford to rent this desirable space regardless of what business model we try to engage. In the near future, when you visit Outwrite, you will see that “for lease” signs have been installed.
The good news is that we’re looking for a new location that will allow Outwrite to continue serving you as Atlanta’s LGBT bookstore and coffeehouse. In the mean time, we must reduce our inventory and beginning today almost everything in the store will be on sale for 25% off. Please join us for this special sale as well as two special events:
* Poster Auction: We will be holding a special auction of our collection of posters signed by authors and celebrities to raise funds to help us relocate. Stay tuned to our communications and we will announce the date for this event very soon.
* Anniversary Party: On Saturday December 3, we will be holding a party to celebrate Outwrite’s 18th Anniversary and show our appreciation for our customers.
We look forward to seeing you at the upcoming events, and appreciate your ongoing support.”
Gregory Maguire Signs ‘Out Of Oz’ Tonight
You’ve seen ‘Wicked’ at the Fox, now you can meet the author of the acclaimed series tonight at Outwrite…
Gregory Maguire’s fourth and final novel in the series, ‘Out Of Oz,’ takes readers back to the Emerald City. An invasion of Munchkinland, Glinda under house arrest, and the Cowardly Lion on the run from the law are just some of what’s in store. Amidst the chaos, Elphaba’s graddaughter, Rain, comes of age to take up her broom in an Oz wracked by war.
Maguire’s first book, ‘Wicked,’ was published in 1995. It garnered critical acclaim and became the basis for the Broadway musical, ‘Wicked,’ one of the most successful Broadway productions in history.
This year, ‘Wicked,’ which ran September 14th to October 9th, shattered box office records at the Fox Theatre. The musical grossed $2,438,947 over eight performances, making it the highest-grossing week for a touring Broadway show in North American history.
- Gregory Maguire appears at Outwrite Saturday, November 5th at 7:30 p.m.
Judge Glenda Hatchett @ Outwrite Tonight
Atlanta’s own Judge Glenda Hatchett visits Outwrite Bookstore tonight at 7:30 p.m. to read from and sign copies of her latest book, ‘Dare to Take Charge: How to Live Your Life on Purpose‘…
Interactive and inspirational, ‘Dare to Take Charge’ challenges readers to ask self-reflective questions that lead to self-discovey and a pathway to healing. Daring her audience to study the positive with the same interest and intensity that they study the negative, Judge Hatchett uncovers the potential for grace and success in our lives.
After graduating from Emory University School of Law and completing a coveted clerkship in the U.S. Federal Courts, Judge Glenda Hatchett became an attorney for Delta Airlines and then Chief Presiding Judge of the Fulton County Juvenile Court.
Meredith Baxter Gets ‘Untied’ at Outwrite
Meredith Baxter, best known for her portrayal of Michael J. Fox’s mom Elyse Keaton on ‘Family Ties’ appeared at Outwrite Bookstore last night…
In 2009, Baxter came out publicly on the Today Show as a lesbian at the age of 62. Her new book, ‘Untied,’ is more than just a coming out story. For the first time, she opens up about her Hollywood childhood, career, family and personal life in a candid and inspiring account.
‘Untied’ begins with Meredith’s tumultuous and often rebellious youth as the daughter of a successful actress, Whitney Blake (Dorothy Baxter on Hazel). It continues into her early marriage and motherhood while living paycheck to paycheck, then goes into her life as an actress, which almost happened by accident.
While Meredith is widely remembered for her portrayals of intelligent, independent women, in real life, despite being an advocate for women’s rights, she often put aside her own needs for her career and marriage. Now cancer-free and sober for the past 21 years, Baxter has emerged a stronger woman and is finally telling the story of her remarkable journey.
Today, with a new sense of self, she makes appearances speaking on behalf of breast cancer, domestic violence, alcoholism, and gay rights.
Fabulous Beekman Boys Cook Up Atlanta
Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Brent Ridge, otherwise known as The Fabulous Beekman Boys, cooked up a storm this weekend in Atlanta…
The duo’s first stop was the Second Annual Country Living Fair at Stone Mountain Park, where they joined the Country Living team of editors and writers along with thousands of readers to experience cooking demos, book signings, meet and greets and of course, shopping.
The Fabulous Beekman Boys, who appear on Planet Green’s TV show by the same name, posed with fans and signed copies of their new cookbook, The Beekman 1802 Heirloom Cookbook.
They also appeared at the Country Living Kitchen to prepare their ‘Eight-Minute Galette’ before rushing off to do it all over again at the Cook’s Warehouse in Decatur.
Alan Hollingshurst Reads from ‘The Stranger’s Child’ at Outwrite Nov. 26
‘I wanted to write a book about time,’ says award-winning British writer Alan Hollingshurst about his latest book, ‘The Stranger’s Child‘…
Hollingshurst comes to Outwrite October 26th to read from and sign the novel. ‘The Stranger’s Child’ is his much-anticipated first novel in seven years.
‘Wanted to write a book about World War I that didn’t actually have the first World War in it. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I wanted the story of these people’s lives and their reputations to be traced much further on throughout the century.’
‘I get a lot of pleasure from writing but I’m very slow. This book took me four and a half years to write. It was originally going to be in two parts, but decided not to do that. It has a huge time span that covers 95 years.’
‘I have a routing of self-isolation when I write. I draw a line through my diary for a month or so. I wish I could integrate writing more into the pattern of my everyday life, but this is the only way I seem to be able to do it, by this rather extreme measure.’
Fabulous Beekman Boys to Sign New Cookbook at Cook’s Warehouse
Dr. Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, Planet Green TV’s The Fabulous Beekman Boys, will sign their new cookbook, ‘Beekman 1802 Heirloom Cookbook‘ Friday, October 21st at Cook’s Warehouse in Decatur…
Ridge and Kilmer-Purcell, successful city dwellers in their own right, traded life in New York City for country life after purchasing the 1802 Beekman farm in Sharon Spring, NY. Kilmer-Purcell was a drag queen/author who wrote ‘I Am Not Myself These Days: A Memoir‘ in 2006, and Ridge was the VIP of Healthy Living at Martha Stewart Omnimedia.
‘Beekman 1802 Heirloom Cookbook’ includes favorite family recipes with the help of their friend Sandy Gluck, who gave them the Beekman Twist.
The signing is from 8 to 10 p.m. on Friday, October 21st at Cook’s Warehouse – Decatur. It’s free, but you need to register online.
Kendra Wilkinson @ Outwrite Bookstore
Former Playboy Playmate, Girl Next Door, Mansion resident, ‘Dancing with the Stars’ contestant and Hugh Hefner’s girlfriend Kendra Wilkinson appeared at Outwrite Bookstore Thursday night to sign her new memoir, ‘Being Kendra.’
She arrived right on time, was ushered through the crowd by security, and answered a couple of questions…
Someone asked, ‘What advice do you have for writing a book?’ ‘Um… write. Think of it like a journal and write. Yeah.’ Since Jared Shapiro, a ghostwriter who has worked with Perez Hilton, actually wrote the book (it says his name right on the cover), she probably should have asked him.
A fellow blonde yelled out, ‘Kendra, will you have drinks with us after?’ ‘Girl…. I wish I could. Well maybe at Gladys Knight’s Chicken and Waffles, I’ve been wanting to go there!’
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