Book Culture Blog

On Tuesday night we welcomed two poets at Book Culture: The reading began with Matthew Thorburn, who read from his collection, Subject to Change. He finished with a new poem inspired by a trip he took to China earlier this year.

Next up was Claudia Carlson, who read from The Elephant House. It was a drippy night outside, so Claudia began with her “Ode on a Duck Head” and was kind enough to remind the audience to buy their holiday gifts at Book Culture!

They each took a few moments to tell us about what they’ve been reading:

What are you reading right now?

Claudia: I have an incredibly broad range of interests, lately I’ve been reading Kelly Link, a fantasy/magic realism writer recently honored as the year’s best in this category.

Matthew: Just read Bel Canto, which was amazing and really beautiful. I’ve also read Hotel Fiesta by Emanuel Lynn and the latest collection of Robert Hass, his first book in ten years. I just started The Ecco Book of Christmas Stories.What are you looking forward to reading?

Claudia: I’m looking forward to John Crowley’s next book about a physically challenged young man. I heard him read from the manuscript recently, it sounds wonderfully interesting.

Matthew: Something by Rigoberto Gonzalez, who I also heard read recently.

What authors or books do you read often and/or recommend to others?

Claudia: I read every book of living poets like Terry Ford and Amy Gerstler and enjoy the Collected Poems of Donald Justice too.

Matthew: Elizabeth Bishop and Philip Larkin are two of my favorites.