Reading Room

THU MAY 13

Come discuss the GLBT experience by reading contemporary and classic novels. This week’s selection is, “You are not a Stranger Here” by Adam Haslett. 8-10 p.m. at the GLBT Community Center.

KGB presents, “Drunken Careening Writers” which will showcase novelist, short story writer, and essayist Janice Eidus who has won numerous awards for her short stories; Tricia Pool and New York City-based writer and poet Carol Rosenfeld whose short stories have appeared in Best Lesbian Erotica 1999 and 2003, as well as Shadows of the Night: Queer Tales of the Uncanny and the Unusual, and Back to Basics: A Butch-Femme Anthology. 7 p.m. at KGB Bar.

SAT MAY 15

Join us in celebrating the release of Susan Stinson’s third novel, “Venus of Chalk” and to join in a benefit for the National Organization for Lesbians of SizE (NOLOSE). Stinson, who London’s Diva magazine has called “the most criminally underrated dyke novelist in the world” is a writer whose work centers on the lives of fat women, challenges discrimination against fat people and the societal obsession with weight loss. She’ll give a reading, and the party will also include a performance by Beth Smulyan. $5-$10 suggested donation. 7 p.m. Bluestockings Bookstore.

SUN MAY 16

SAL book discussion, a lesbian only book group which discusses classic and contemporary lesbian fiction, will be read “A Taste for Blood”. Newcomers always welcome. 1-2:30 p.m. at the GLBT Community Center.

MON MAY 17

WTO Explained Lori Wallach presents a reading and discussion on the topic of, “Whose Trade Organization? A Comprehensive Guide to the WTO.” This discussion argues that the current terms of corporate-led globalization are not inevitable: they are merely one option being imposed by the powerful, secretive, and profoundly undemocratic World Trade Organization. Public Citizen advocate Lori Wallach and guest will carefully document the World Trade Organization’s appalling nine-year track record with riveting case-by-case accounts. 7 p.m. at Bluestockings Bookstore.

TUE MAY 18

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner and Village Voice writer Alisa Solomon, who have co-edited “Wrestling with Zion: Progressive Jewish-American Responses to the Israeli Palestinian Conflict” will participate in a panel discussion alongside several of the contributors. The discussion will include an exploration of American Jews’ views on the conflict and the multiple meanings of Zionism. 8 p.m. at the 92nd St. Y,. $20. For information and tickets 212 415 5500.

Former Clinton secretary of labor, Robert Reich will discuss and sign copies of his new book, “Reason: Why Liberals Will Win the Battle for America.” According to Reich, today’s conservatives (“Radcons”) are reckless, vituperative extremists, deeply at odds with the caution and civility of traditional conservatives like Edmund Burke. Liberals, he asserts, remain squarely in the tradition of Jefferson and FDR, not (as Radcons allege) the late ‘60s New Left. 7 p.m. at Barnes and Noble Astor Place.

WED MAY 19

Join poets Ilya Kaminsky, Maggie Nelson, Jeffrey Levine, Matvei

Yankelevich and Hal Sirowitz as they each read from selected works. Admission is free but donations of used books are encouraged. 7 p.m. at Housing Works Used Book Café.

Experimental poet Julie Patton and Argentine poet Lila Zemborain will read selections from their newly published respective books. Admission is $8 and $7 for students and seniors. 8 p.m. at the Poetry Project.

SpeakOUT!: LGBT Voices for Recovery welcomes guest writer Robert Notter to conduct a writer’s workshop on expressing one’s personal journey to recovery. dgoldstein@gaycenter.org 6-9 p.m. at the GLBT Community Center.

Internationally-renowned author Helena Norberg-Hodge will present a lecture on globalization vs. community and discuss why a shift towards grassroots based, strong local may be one of the most effective strategies to achieve widespread social change and ecological renewal. In addition to discussing the impacts of globalization on culture, environment and community, Norberg-Hodge will provide concrete ideas for building local economies, with a particular emphasis on the food system. Helena Norberg-Hodge is founder and director of the International Society for Ecology and Culture (ISEC), on the editorial board of the Ecologist magazine, a co-founder of the International Forum on Globalization and the Global Eco-village Network, and is the author of Ancient Futures: Learning from Ladakh. $ 5 suggested donation. 7pm at Bluestockings Bookstore.