This Week in Lit: Retromania, Hostages and a little Trimpin

We've got a lot this week, check out the latest in Seattle book events!

Edmund de Waal at Stimson Auditorium, Seattle Asian Art Museum:
Renowned ceramic artist Edmund de Waal is in town from London to discuss his memoir, The Hare with Amber Eyes: A Hidden Inheritance—the story of de Waal discovering his family history within a collection of art. This event is co-presented with the Gardener Center for Asian Art and Ideas, and as The New Yorker says, “The most enchanting history lesson imaginable”. Admission is free—and for more information on this evening, please see www.seattleartmuseum.org.

Monday, 7 p.m. // Stimson Auditorium, Seattle Asian Art Museum // Free

Simon Reynolds in conversation with Luke Burbank at The Grotto at the Rendezvous:
Luke Burbank—of the well-loved podcast Too Beautiful To Live—will be hanging out in the Grotto chatting with Simon Reynolds, author of Retromania. Reynolds digs into our culture’s obsession with the things of yesterday—remakes, reunions…all those things we get excited about. You can grab yourself an autographed copy of the book after the talk!

Tuesday, 7 p.m. // The Grotto at the Rendezvous // Free

Ingrid Betancourt at Microsoft Auditorium, Seattle Public Central Library:
Colombian activist and writer Ingrid Betancourt comes to Seattle with the terrifying tale of her 2002 abduction when she was a candidate for presidency. She was taken hostage for over six years, and has since shared her experience in her memoir, Even Silence Has an End: My Six Years of Captivity in the Colombian. It’s mesmerizing to follow her story—to see the tactics she had to employ to survive, and to learn from her sharp and concise observations of human behavior. Free admission—so make sure you’re on time!
For more information, please call Elliott Bay at 206.624.6600, The Seattle Public Library at 206.386.4636, or see www.spl.org.

Tuesday, 7 p.m. // Microsoft Auditorium, Seattle Public Central Library // Free

Laurence Bergreen at Seattle Public Library, Central Branch:
This prize-winning author comes to us to chat about his latest book, Columbus: The Four Voyages—a biography discussing the controversial explorer, and the people who knew him best, his fellow voyagers. Bergreen doesn’t shy away from the ugly—like the bad blood Columbus often created, and his effect on the world. His other works include Marco Polo, Over the Edge of the World, Voyage to Mars—and I’m sure there are many other fascinating works to come.

Wednesday, 7 p.m. // Seattle Public Library, Central Branch // Free

Trimpin with Anne Focke and Ed Marquand at Elliott Bay Book Co.:
It’s an exciting evening of art and literature! Trimpin (who has received MacArthur and Guggenheim fellowships AND been part of numerous performances and shows) swings by Elliott Bay for the evening. This night is all about celebrating Trimpin: Contraptions for Art and Sound—with the three people that really made everything possible. The book publisher/designer Ed Marquand will be on hand, as well as Anne Focke—the lady who compiled and edited the book. Celebrate what’s bound to be a lively and fun event!

Saturday, 7 p.m. // Elliott Bay Book Co. // Free