Turn the Page to Autumn

September 24, 2012 (Updated September 24, 2012)
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As the temperatures drop and darkness falls earlier, we turn the page on another Oregon season: reading season. What better way to move into fall than with a really great book? Here are some Oregon literary events to inspire your inner bookworm.

Wordstock, Portland’s annual literary fair, is the opening chapter to book season. October 11 through the 14 at the Oregon Convention Center, it includes author readings, signings, workshops and special events. This year’s lineup includes YA sensation David Levithan, national poetry slam champion Anis Mojgani, Decemberist-turned-author Colin Meloy, “The Night Circus” author Erin Morgenstern, three-time Pushcart Prize winner Floyd Skloot and a host of award winning national and regional writers.

Literary Arts kicks off its Portland Arts & Lectures series on October 11 with best-selling author Jeffrey Toobin, whose new book “The Oath: The Obama White House and the Supreme Court,” came out in September. The 2012-13 series also includes appearances by novelists Barbara Kingsolver and Jonathan Franzen, Shakespeare scholar Stephen Greenblatt and poet Nikky Finney.

Bend’s annual literary festival, The Nature of Words, offers five days of readings, workshops and panel discussions from November 7 through 11. This year’s headliners include Ayad Akhtar, author of “American Dervish,” fantasy writer Jean Auel and Portland writer Brian Doyle.

Plan ahead for 2013

In Eastern Oregon, Fishtrap continues its Wallowa County Reads program with Norman Maclean’s “A River Runs Through It.”  The program, which kicks off in January, includes presentations, a showing of the movie and a lecture by the author’s son, as well as events for younger readers.

The 16th annual FisherPoets Gathering will happen February 22 through 24, 2013 at Clatsop Community College in Astoria. It’s a grand gathering of writers, poets, musicians and artists.

About The
Author

Eileen Garvin
Eileen Garvin lives and writes in Hood River. When she’s not hunched over her keyboard or digging in the garden, you can find her mountain biking, kiteboarding, hiking, skiing or camping somewhere in Oregon.