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Yannis Toussilis, Wednesday, May 15th
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Dr. Yanis Toussilis is the current director of The Center for Human Inquiry in Emeryville, California where he teaches and conducts research in the practice of cross-cultural negotiation, leadership skills, and contemplative practices. He earned his doctoral degree in Psychology with an emphasis in human science research from the Saybrook Institute (1995). His dissertation was entitled Faith as A Lived-Experience: A Phenomenological Study. For the past ten years he taught the psychology of intercultural conflict as an Adjunct Professor at the Graduate School of International Policy Studies, Monterey Institute of International Studies , and he has also served as an Associate Faculty Member at the Starr King Divinity School at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. |
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Dr. Yannis Toussulis' book is the first to detail the relationship between Sufism and the "Way of Blame" in all of its historical phases up to, and including, the present era. Dr. Toussoulis lays out the gradual development of both, western and eastern Sufism, as well as pinpointing the discrepancies between the two. If ever there were a definitive book on the cultural life of Sufism and its controversial relation to Islam this is it.
The "Way of Blame" originally designated a group within larger Sufism that focused on the psychology of egoism and engaged in self-critique (Arabic malam, or "blame"). Later, the term most often referred to those Sufis who incurred blame by shunning Islamic literalism and formalism, thus becoming worthy of "blame." The spiritual path of Sufism itself, as explained, is a lifelong practice of study and mysticism in order to become "perfect mirror(s) in which God contemplates Himself."
Sufism and the Way of Blame incorporates the work of preceding scholars and attempts to surpass them by bringing the study of Sufism up to date. Toussoulis makes extensive references to current interpretations of Sufism by G. I Gurdjieff, J.G. Bennett, and Idries Shah, as well as by scholars such as Frithjof Schuon, Martin Lings, and Seyyed Hossein Nasr (among others). The book incorporates earlier findings and Dr. Toussoulis' personal research in tandem with a living representative of the Way of Blame in Turkey today, Mehmet Selim Ozich.
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Susan Gevirtz and Benjamin Hollander, Wednesday, May 22nd
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Susan Gevirtz books of poetry include Aerodrome Orion & Starry Messenger, Kelsey St., 2010; Broadcast, Trafficker, 2009;Thrall, Post Apollo, 2007; Hourglass Transcripts, Burning Deck, 2001. Her critical books are Narrative’s Journey: The fiction and Film Writing of Dorothy Richardson, Peter Lang, 1996; and Coming Events (Collected Writings), from Nightboat Press, 2013. She teaches at California College of the Arts and Mills College. Gevirtz has co-organized the annual translation and conversation meeting of The Paros Symposium with Greek poet Siarita Kouka, and guest organizers Eleni Stecopoulos, Liana Sakelliou and Socrates Kabouropoulos for eight years. |
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Benjamin Hollander was born in Haifa, Israel and as a boy immigrated to New York City. He presently lives on the west coast of North America. His books include: In the House Un-American (Clockroot Books/Interlink Publishing, Spring,2013), Memoir American (Punctum Books, Spring 2013), Vigilance (Beyond Baroque Books, 2005), Rituals of Truce and the Other Israeli (Parrhesia Press, 2004), The Book Of Who Are Was (Sun & Moon Press, 1997), How to Read, too (Leech Books, 1992), and, as editor, Translating Tradition: Paul Celan in France (ACTS, 1988).
An excerpt from his newest book, In The House Un-American, can be found at The Brooklyn Rail: http://www.brooklynrail. org/2012/10/artseen/just-call- me-al
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Poetry Flash presents Alex Dimitrov and Genine Lentine, Thursday, May 23rd
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Alex Dimitrov is the founder of Wilde Boys, a queer poetry salon in New York City. His first full-length book of poems, Begging for It, was published by Four Way Books in March 2013. He was born in Sofia , Bulgaria , and raised in Detroit , Michigan . He attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and received a BA in English and Film Studies in 2007. In 2009 he received an MFA in poetry from Sarah Lawrence College. In 2012, Dimitrov released the e-chapbook American Boys, published by Floating Wolf Quarterly. He is the Content Editor at the Academy of American Poets , teaches creative writing at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, and frequently writes for Poets & Writers magazine. |
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Genine Lentine is the author of the chapbooks Mr. Worthington's Beautiful Experiments on Splashes and Poses: An Essay Drawn from the Model, and co-author, with Stanley Kunitz, of The Wild Braid: A Poet Reflects on a Century in the Garden. Recent work appears in Best Buddhist Writing 2011, Infinite City: A San Francisco Atlas, Conversations at the Wartime Café, Ninth Letter, Shambhala Sun, and Shareable.net. She received an M.S. in Theoretical Linguistics from Georgetown University and an M.F.A. in Poetry from New York University. She was a 2012 Lucas Literary Arts Fellow at Montalvo Arts Center. |
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Michelle Tea, Tuesday, June 18th
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Michelle Tea is the author of 4 ½ memoirs, 1 ½ novels and a collection of poetry. Her memoir Valencia is an underground classic and is currently being made into a feature film by 21 different filmmakers. She is the founder and executive director of RADAR Productions, a literary non-profit which hosts the monthly RADAR Reading Series (voted Best Literary Series by SF Bay Guardian Readers), the infamous Sister Spit Literary Performance tours, an annual poetry chapbook contest, and the Radar LAB Writers' Retreat in Akumal, Mexico. She is a former writer of horoscopes and a current reader of tarot cards. |
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Everyone in the broken-down town of Chelsea, Massachussetts, has a story too worn to repeat—from the girls who play the pass-out game just to feel like they're somewhere else, to the packs of aimless teenage boys, to the old women from far away who left everything behind. But there's one story they all still tell: the oldest and saddest but most hopeful story, the one about the girl who will be able to take their twisted world and straighten it out. The girl who will bring the magic.
Could Sophie Swankowski be that girl? With her tangled hair and grubby clothes, her weird habits and her visions of a filthy, swearing mermaid who comes to her when she's unconscious, Sophie could be the one to uncover the power flowing beneath Chelsea's potholed streets and sludge-filled rivers, and the one to fight the evil that flows there, too. Sophie might discover her destiny, and maybe even in time to save them all.
Pre-order a signed copy from this event
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Poetry Flash presents a Poetic Matrix reading with Chris Hoffman and Kim Shuck, Thursday, June 20th
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Chris Hoffman is an organizational consultant, ecopsychologist, and poet. He has facilitated human development in a variety of business, educational and therapeutic settings, including 23 years as a senior organization development consultant for a Fortune 500 energy utility company. He currently focuses on organizations working for sustainability. He is a licensed professional counselor. Chris has taught ecopsychology at Naropa University and has delivered many workshops and presentations on applied psychology. He enjoys performing his poetic work both solo and in collaboration with dancers and musicians. The Afro-pop band Monkey Siren has recorded his lyrics on two CD's. |
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Kim Shuck is a writer, weaver, bead artist and walker on the crests of hills. Her artwork has shown on four continents and her poetry has been published on three. Shuck's first juried publication was in the En'owken Journal out of Canada. Her first solo book of poetry, Smuggling Cherokee, was published by Greenfield Review Press and won the Diane Decorah award from the Native Writers' Circle of the Americas. She lives in San Francisco with grown children, rescue cats and a disagreeable parrot called Bond. Rumors of resident ghosts, demi-gods or well kept secrets cannot be verified at this time. |
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Ed Hardy and Joel Selvin, Sunday, June 23rd
Don Ed Hardy and Joel Selvin will be in the store June 23rd to talk about Mr. Hardy's memoir, Wear Your Dreams. If you order a book in advance you will be invited to a pre-reading reception upstairs at More Moe's. Meet the authors and enjoy some refreshments, then come downstairs for their talk. We will reserve you a seat.
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Known as the "the Godfather of modern tattoo", Don "Ed" Hardy first partnered with Christian Audigier in 2005 to bring tattoo culture into the world of fashion. His mesmerizing artwork is now emblazoned on an extensive collection of T-shirts, denim, underwear and accessories. The boldly colorful Ed Hardy designs stand in a tribute to the youth of America, vintage fashion, Hollywood stardom and motorcycle rebel culture.
Formerly the long-established rock critic for the San Francisco Chronicle, Joel Selvin has written a number of rock music histories and biographies. In 2010 he came out with Smartass: The Music Journalism of Joel Selvin, a collection of 40 years or rock reviews. With John Johnson, Jr., Selvin wrote Peppermint Twist, the secret history of the mafia chief behind the New York nightclub made world famous by the Twist dance craze.
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“Ed Hardy” is emblazoned on everything from t-shirts and hats to perfumes and energy drinks. From LA to Japan, his colorful cross-and-bones designs and ribbon-banners have become internationally ubiquitous. But long before the fashion world discovered his iconic designs, the man behind the eponymous brand spearheaded nothing less than a cultural revolution.
In Wear Your Dreams, Ed Hardy recounts his genesis as a tattoo artist and leader in the movement to recognize tattooing as a valid and rich art form, through to the ultimate transformation of his career into a multi-billion dollar branding empire. From giving colored pencil tattoos to neighborhood kids at age ten to working with legendary artists like Sailor Jerry to learning at the feet of the masters in Japan, the book explains how this Godfather of Tattoos fomented the explosion of tattoo art and how his influence can be witnessed on everyone, from countless celebs to ink-adorned rockers to butterfly-branded, stroller-pushing moms. With over fifty different product categories, the Ed Hardy brand generates over $700 million in retail sales annually.
Vividly packaged with original Ed Hardy artwork and ideal for ink devotees and Ed Hardy aficionados alike, Wear Your Dreams is a never-before-seen look at the tattoo artist who rocked the art world and has left a permanent mark on fashion history.
Preorder a signed copy from the event
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Poetry Flash presents Bruce Isaacson and Jan Steckel, Thursday, June 27th
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Poetry Flash presents The Colrain Poetry Manuscript Conference Faculty Reading, with Joan Houlihan, Jeffrey Levine, Rusty Morrison and Ellen Dore Watson, Wednesday, July 10th
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Poetry Flash presents Avotcja and Q. R. Hand, Jr., Thursday, July 11th
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Poetry Flash presents the Marin Center Traveling Show, with Rose Black and more, Thursday, July 18th
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Jonathan Lethem, Saturday, September 28th
photo: Fred Benenson
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At the center of Jonathan Lethem's superb new novel stand two extraordinary women. Rose Zimmer, the aptly nicknamed Red Queen of Sunnyside, Queens, is an unreconstructed Communist and mercurial tyrant who terrorizes her neighborhood and her family with the ferocity of her personality and the absolutism of her beliefs. Her brilliant and willful daughter, Miriam, is equally passionate in her activism, but flees Rose's suffocating influence and embraces the Age of Aquarius counterculture of Greenwich Village.
Both women cast spells that entrance or enchain the men in their lives: Rose's aristocratic German Jewish husband, Albert; her nephew, the feckless chess hustler Lenny Angrush; Cicero Lookins, the brilliant son of her black cop lover; Miriam's (slightly fraudulent) Irish folksinging husband, Tommy Gogan; their bewildered son, Sergius. These flawed, idealistic people all struggle to follow their own utopian dreams in an America where radicalism is viewed with bemusement, hostility, or indifference.
As the decades pass—from the parlor communism of the '30s, McCarthyism, the civil rights movement, ragged '70s communes, the romanticization of the Sandinistas, up to the Occupy movement of the moment—we come to understand through Lethem's extraordinarily vivid storytelling that the personal may be political, but the political, even more so, is personal.
Brilliantly constructed as it weaves across time and among characters, Dissident Gardens is riotous and haunting, satiric and sympathetic—and a joy to read. |
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