The stories in Unaccustomed to Grace are often set in a slant version of reality that is ebullient, fierce, and reassuringly human. Characters throughout the collection act on impulses, quixotic to ferocious: a suburban dad leads a violent riot against his neighbor; an eleven-year-old boy puts himself at the nexus of a manhunt for the Boston Marathon bomber. Ultimately, the book plumbs the messiness we bring on ourselves with the best of intentions, and how we work our way toward redemption.

More work and information: http://lesleybannatyne.com

LESLEY BANNATYNE writes short stories, many of which are included in this debut collection Unaccustomed to Grace (Kallisto Gaia Press, 2022). Her work has been published in the Boston Globe, Smithsonian, Christian Science Monitor, and Zone 3, Pangyrus, Shooter, Craft, Ocotillo Review, Fish, and Bosque Literary Magazines. She won the 2018 Bosque fiction prize and received the 2019 Tucson Festival of Books Literary Award for fiction, the 2020 Ghoststory.com fiction prize, and was a finalist for many others, including the Tennessee William Literary Festival Writing Award, the Carve Prose & Poetry Contest, and the Hudson Prize.

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A November Visit is Kate Chadbourne's ebook of “Novemberish” stories, poems, and seasonal delights, including Irish folklore, a taste of etymology, a recipe for a truly wonderful cake, a good riddle, and a cast of characters that includes giants, hags, ghosts, foxes, owls, magical musicians, mermaids, a mysterious baker, and many more.

More work and information: https://katechadbourne.com

KATE CHADBOURNE is an award-winning songwriter and poet, a scholar and teacher of Irish language and folklore with a PhD from Harvard, and a beloved performer at venues throughout New England. She has been honored as a “tradition bearer” in the Revels Salon series and in the Gaelic Roots Concert Series at Boston College, and her music has been featured on NPR’s programs, “Cartalk” and “All Songs Considered.” She has released four solo CD’s, three collections of poetry, and collaborated with many musicians and writers on performances and projects. Kate is also the founder and lead teacher of The Bardic Academy, a school for writers, musicians, singers, and young scholars.

This event is hosted by Lesley Bannatyne in accordance with Somerville Public Library's Room Reservation Policies. It is free and open to the public.