Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Poetry Book Club May 26th

Thursday, May 26th
7:30-9 PM

The Hamline GLS Alumni Poetry Book Club’s May book is Dogged Hearts by Ellen DorĂ© Watson.  We'll be meeting at Jean's and possibly taking advantage of the porch, if the weather cooperates. 

Tony Hoagland says, "Dogged Hearts reminds us why the arts are called the humanities: because they remind us how to be human."  Wow.

Here's what Haley Lasche, who suggested the book, has to say about it:
As a reader, of course, I have a few favorite authors: the ones whom I know will inspire me and let me get lost in their thoughts. I don’t have a lot of favorite poets, but the ones whom I love the most are poets I am instantly drawn to, without rhyme or reason ;) In general, though, when I shop for poetry books, I don’t look for that same comfortable kind of inspiration; I know that kind of inspiration is rare for me.

Instead, when I look for books of poetry, I look for the first poem to open my eyes to a new puzzle. It might be something I’m confused about in my own writing or it might be something in the poem that I just don’t feel 100% confident that I understand. This is how I came to choose Ellen Dore Watson’s ­Dogged Hearts for our book club.

In reading the poem “Lew’s Late Love,” I was in the puzzle from the first line. The poem sated my need to see how Watson would use my current year’s obsessions (line breaks and narrative), but also, it reminded me of how effortlessly a good poet can use musicality and how a rebel poet can push a reader off center leaving him or her with just enough breath to approach the poem again.

Remember that Micawbers Books in St. Paul has a sale price for members of our club (another great reason to support your local bookstores), and they do have this hard to find volume just for us. 

Hamline GLS Alumni Poetry Book Club meets on the last Thursday of each month from 7:30-9 at Jean Larson's house (Barnes and Noble at Har Mar in case of emergency).  Read part, read all.  Sit back or engage. Come monthly, come sometimes. Flexible and low key. (Unless someone decides to raise a ruckus.)

Email Jean at jeanielars@comcast.net for more information and/or to get on the Book Club's mailing list.

- your glsbrd

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Do you like adventure? Want to do a reading this summer?

Dear writers of Hamline,

Whether you are a fiction writer, essayist, poet, or CNF writer.  I am in the midst of organizing a summer reading series that will take place in as many different locations throughout the twin cities as possible. My plan is to put people into little groups of 4 and 5 where each group will perform a reading in either a local library, coffee shop, or generally any place that will welcome our art into their establishment. My goal is to make this fun and easy for all participants.

If you are interested in being a reader for this event then e-mail your name and e-mail address to me at sjayaraj01@hamlineuniversity.edu. I will later send everyone a survey that asks for more specific information so that I can sort people into groups and areas that will make this an overall convenient and enjoyable event series.

Satish Jayaraj
Hamline MFA Graduate 2009
Current Hamline MALS student

Monday, May 2, 2011

Create keepsakes for new graduates on May 7 (also a planning meeting)

The Best Gift You'll Ever Make 
(Book arts with Su Smallen)
Saturday, May 7
3 - 6 PM

GLaaS would like to create a beautiful gift for our 2011 graduates. We'lll be hand-binding books that will include wisdom from GLS faculty. In addition to creating a gift for a graduate, you will also be learning (or polishing) valuable bookmaking skills.

Don't worry if you have never done anything like this. This event is the perfect time to give it a try. Meet us at the GLS House, and bring an open heart and willing hands (exact-o knives and glue sticks if you have them). Hope to see you there.

Summer GLaaS planning meeting
Saturday, May 7 
after book arts completion (around 6 PM)

If you have ideas for summer, please be sure to be there around 6 to share and help plan.  If you can't make it but still want to be involved, let us know.  Send your ideas or an email about how you'd like to help.

Green Light Sendoff
Saturday, May 21
4:30 PM

If we don't see you at either of these, we hope to see you at the GLS House for the Green Light Send-off.  Be the first to congratulate the newly minted GLS grads.  Say hello to friends (and professors).  Bring a fantastic dish to share!

- your glsbrd