Known and loved for her impactful work in broadcast journalism and her bright daytime TV presence, Tamron Hall continues to elevate — and celebrate — Black voices through her popular talk show and various projects. With the success of her upbeat, eponymous show (which, this March, reached its 1,000-episode mark), and the recent release of her very first children’s book, Hall ushers in a new chapter of representation for Black storytellers.

This spring, the two-time Emmy Award-winning journalist and host of the nationally syndicated “Tamron Hall” talk show is adding a new title to her impressive resume: children’s book author. With the debut of “Harlem Honey: The Adventures of a Curious Kid,” released on March 25, Hall is not simply entering a new literary genre; she is furthering her mission to celebrate Black culture, ignite curiosity, and champion representation. Books like “Harlem Honey” create modes of representation for young Black and brown readers. Our children, nieces, and nephews can go to a bookstore and see someone who resembles them on the printed page.  

The book opens with Moses missing his home in Texas as he sits on his stoop in Harlem. He draws in his room, and a few bees buzzing through his window ignite his curiosity. Soon, he meets his neighbor Laila. 

Mrs. Louise, Laila’s mother, lives across the street, and they have a honey farm. Together, Moses, his dad, Laila, and Mrs. Louise (and Moses’s pets) go on a journey to deliver the sweet honey to neighbors in Harlem. 

They start at the world-famous Sylvia’s Restaurant. Later, when they visit the Studio Museum of Harlem, Moses sees a painting of a family that reminds him of his own. This journey, where honey is delivered throughout Harlem, allows Moses to begin to love and appreciate his new neighborhood.

“Harlem Honey” is more than a charming tale; it is a love letter to Black boyhood inspired by Hall’s son, Moses, who turns six this month. 

Illustrated by Ebony Glenn, the book’s cover features Moses, his neighbor Laila, and his puppy, Lotus-May. The two characters, with their brown skin and curly hair, smile, holding two jars of honey. Behind them is the city of Harlem. 

The imagery throughout the book yields whimsy, depth, and movement — and most critically, is full of Black and brown people. At first glance, the importance of a book with two Black children on the cover might not register. But that is monumental. 

 “I wanted [Moses] to open a book and see a reflection of himself,” Hall said about her choice to write the children’s book.

 “I wanted him to know that his brown skin, curly hair, beautiful eyes, all of him, is worthy of a story.”

The book’s protagonist, Moses, is a young Black boy with an insatiable curiosity about the world around him.

“Harlem is the place we called home when my son was born,” the author continued.

 “But Harlem [could be] any neighborhood, anywhere in this world, because our neighborhoods are the first place that we really can inspire curiosity in our children.”

Through Moses’s eyes, readers experience the sights, sounds, and rhythms of Harlem, a neighborhood overflowing with Black history and culture. Hall’s vivid descriptions and evocative language — and Glenn’s glowing illustrations — elevate the neighborhood of Harlem to a character in its own right.

“I wanted to capture the magic of Harlem. The music, the food, the people, the energy — it’s all there in the book,” the author said.

But “Harlem Honey” is not just about a place; it’s about the power of curiosity and faith to open doors and expand horizons. In Hall’s book, Moses’s curiosity propels him on a journey through his neighborhood of Harlem, which inspires him to celebrate his individuality and overcome his fears, and find familiar connections between his former home in Texas and his new home.

“Curiosity is a superpower,” Hall said. “It’s what drives us to explore, to learn, to grow. I wanted to show kids that it’s okay to ask questions, to be curious, to wonder.”

During our interview, Hall noted the dearth of children’s books featuring Black boys as main characters. She recognizes the importance of representation in shaping young minds and fostering a sense of belonging. 

“It’s crucial for Black boys to see themselves reflected in the books they read,” Hall emphasized. “It tells them that their stories matter, that they are valued, that they belong.”

“Harlem Honey” is a loving celebration of Black joy and, above all else, Black resilience. Despite the challenges that Black boys often face, Hall’s book accentuates their strengths, smarts, and potential.

“I wanted to show Black boys as they truly are: smart, creative, compassionate, and full of joy,” the author stated. “They are our future, and we need to nurture their dreams.”

Hall’s dedication to the empowerment and representation of Black people extends beyond the pages of her brand new book. From her early days covering local news in Texas to becoming the first African American anchor to host “The Today Show,” Hall has consistently broken barriers and redefined the landscape of broadcast journalism while also remaining a vocal advocate for transformative change within media spaces.

When asked what advice she might offer young journalists, Hall urges content creators, particularly Black journalists, to “own their platform” and produce “exceptional content” that resonates with and empowers communities. Hall herself embraces new forms of storytelling and digital media. Her show has become the destination for social media stars — like fashion content creator Nicky Campbell — who might have millions of views and followers online but would otherwise never make it onto daytime television.

We live in an era where media consumption is rapidly evolving. (Consider the amount of news you get from social media compared to printed publications.) Hall recognizes the untapped potential of emerging platforms, explicitly highlighting the podcast space.

 “I have been on my soapbox lately about really owning your platform for content that is exceptional,” Hall said, emphasizing the importance of Black voices and impactful storytelling in white-dominated spaces.

“I think that we are sorely missing in these podcast spaces dominated by people that aren’t having the conversation that is impactful to us,” she asserts, underscoring the importance of creating content that reflects and aims to service Black communities. 

With “Harlem Honey,” Hall has created a powerful, sweet, and inspiring tribute to Black boyhood where Black children can see familiar glimpses of themselves in the pages. Harlem, like Baltimore, is an iconic area, deeply rooted in Black culture, art, and history. In our interview, Hall emphasizes their triumphant legacies.

“Baltimore and Harlem…these two cities were ‘for the culture’ before that phrase became a thing,” she said, highlighting their enduring contributions that predate contemporary trends. 

This rich cultural landscape has fostered diverse artistic expression in both locales, from music, especially jazz, to writing to theater to visual arts, providing avenues for Black individuals to thrive and gain recognition (Eubie Blake and Louis Armstrong come to mind). 

Beyond their cultural vibrancy, Harlem and Baltimore carry a spirit of resilience and self-determination. We discussed the communal DIY and collaborative spirit propelling folks in Maryland and New York. In both states, Black and brown people have historically forged their own paths and created opportunities, evident in the abundance of independently owned businesses, from restaurants like Rooted Rotisserie, which she featured on her show, to clothing stores like City of Gods to newspapers like the Afro and Baltimore Beat, both founded by Black people. Hall also linked the unique sense of style and culture both Harlem and Baltimore have from Dapper Dan of Harlem to City of Gods. Hall says she proudly wears a hoodie from the Baltimore-based brand in Harlem.

With Donald Trump’s attacks on DEI (Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion), it is essential to take a moment to highlight the importance of books written by and for Black people. Representation matters, and books like “Harlem Honey” demonstrate its critical importance. Black children’s books embody the principles that DEI seeks to uphold. Efforts to undermine DEI not only highlight the importance of supporting these books, but utilizing them as tools for counteracting Black erasure. 

Through her talk show, Hall has tapped into the cultural zeitgeist and nestled a lane built by a Black woman for the creative uplift of all. And with “Harlem Honey,” Hall has created a lasting contribution to children’s literature.

Her work not only provides inspiration for diverse audiences; her career is also a testament to resilience, bravery, and determination.

 “Fear is natural,” Hall told us.

“But on the other side of fear, what can you experience? That’s what this book is about. That’s what my journey has been about.”

The post Tamron Hall, Harlem Honey, and Sweet Representation for the culture appeared first on Baltimore Beat.

Last month, a new Marvel title hit shelves courtesy of Tiffany D. Jackson. The author of “Grown,” “What Happened to Monday,” and “The Weight of Blood” brings a young Ororo Munroe — the child who will become the superhero Storm — to life in “Storm: Dawn of a Goddess.” Jackson’s latest release is a delightful YA novel grounded in Storm’s East African origins and the hardships of teenage girlhood. “Dawn of a Goddess” is equal parts fantasy and coming-of-age, proving to be a great fiction pick for children and adults to read together this summer.

In this new origin story, Jackson builds a fast-paced fantasy world infused with teenage angst, powerful mutants, tense combat, and lessons on belonging. She writes each layer of the nearly 300-page voyage with finesse. The most apparent strength of Jackson’s adaptation is her skill for writing young characters at pivotal crossroads. 

Ororo Munroe is a thunderous mystery and an exhausted teenage girl. The story begins with a young Ororo, at age 6, and continues as she grows into a 15-year-old. Her age is a core distinction from other adaptations of her story. Many comics, television and film adaptations tell stories of Storm as an adult already tasked with leading the X-Men with her mastery of nature’s elements. This YA entry into Storm’s canon affords audiences an earlier introduction with a chance to understand the talented mutant’s journey in Africa before she meets Professor Charles Xavier.

Writing from the perspective of teenage leads is the heart of Jackson’s literary wheelhouse. Jackson shapes Storm’s origins with attention to the motivations and limitations of a teenage protagonist. My introduction to Jackson’s storytelling was in 2020, when I finished her novel “Grown” in one day. Her attention to detail when fashioning a child’s point of view is impressive. In “Grown,” as with “Storm: Dawn of a Goddess,” Jackson delivers engaging conflict about the material and emotional costs of coming of age. Both novels depend on readers’ willingness to peer deeper at the impact of class and adultification — a harmful process of perceiving children as older or more mature — on children.

In nearly all her published work, Jackson prompts readers to consider the power imbalance between childhood and adulthood with high stakes — her fiction holds a magnifying glass to American myths about freedom and innocence. The adults in Jackson’s novels inhabit worlds full of fear about homelessness, unemployment, and safety and so do the young people at the center of her stories. Her authorial choices invite audiences to challenge assumptions about childhood innocence and question the impact of power imbalances on young Black children. The relationships between adults and children, workers and bosses, and tourists and locals are examples of where Jackson explores power in her novels. 

Through it all, young protagonists fight for a sense of self. An example of Jackson’s prowess for writing these costly tensions comes early in “Grown.” In a conversation with her father, Enchanted, the novel’s central character, broaches a familiar situation: she is a teenager asking for her first car. Her pitch is simple: “We can lease a car for two hundred and twenty-eight dollars a month. I’ll be able to help with the Littles. Take Shea and me to school.” Enchanted’s ask, however, comes at a difficult time. Her father’s union is preparing to strike. 

A conversation that starts with Enchanted’s want for a car quickly burrows deeper into one about economic anxiety and labor organizing. In the end, Enchanted is left to wonder about the looming strike: “I’ve heard Mommy and Daddy talk about it. A union strike would mean no pay, and strikes can go on for months, maybe years.” By the end of the scene, the economic anxiety plaguing both characters — parent and child — is on full display. In Jackson’s fiction, children are not excused from the psychological and emotional impact of economic exploitation, and readers contend with that perspective.

With “Storm: Dawn of a Goddess,” Jackson’s talent for magnifying the toll of exploitation on children takes shape in a new genre. Even in fantasy, Jackson commits to the stakes that Ororo is still a young girl growing up in the souks of Cairo. Ororo must contend with classism, imperialism, and child neglect to figure out who she is. In the process, she (and other vulnerable children) try to survive starvation without being jailed or killed by adults in power. Jackson’s skill for careful world-building is evident in her handling of Indigenous African spirituality, PTSD and child poverty, even within the conventions of fantasy. 

The quest to outwit the Shadow King, a terrifying psychic mutant with the power to possess the bodies of others, is only one obstacle in Ororo’s way. Jackson composes a fantasy novel with a satisfying balance between the fight scenes that Storm fans expect and intimate moments of introspection that fans new to her writing will enjoy. Overall, Jackson pens a world of magic and mutants that remains grounded in the histories of colonialism in which we, the audience, live each day. 

Ororo’s journey from Egypt to Kenya also shatters the familiar idea that the superhero epic is only as good as its final battle. Jackson’s multilayered narrative brings waves of conflict that blow away the fantasy trope of one looming villain (usually known as “the big bad”). In discovering her talent for weather manipulation, she embarks on a path far more personal than any single fight with the traditional big, bad Marvel villain can hold. Jackson crafts a true heroine’s tale to captivate fans of all ages. And beyond Ororo, Jackson rounds out the narrative with a full cast of friends, foes and familiar faces (like T’Challa, the young crown prince of Wakanda). Every relationship invites Ororo to question herself and where her powers come from to discover who she is. 

After reading “Storm: Dawn of a Goddess,” my initial skepticism about Marvel’s ability to handle Storm’s origin subsided. Jackson’s talent for writing heartwarming teen leads with compelling motivations is a major benefit to Marvel. The choice to hire her as the newest steward of Storm’s source material saves Ororo Munroe from falling victim to the uninspired direction of recent Marvel cinematic products. This latest adaptation makes the most out of the Marvel superhero pantheon. Jackson delivers an exciting young adult novel that encourages readers to imagine the world of Storm without fully succumbing to the limitations of Marvel’s Africa. 

The post Book Review: Tiffany D. Jackson’s ‘Storm: Dawn of a Goddess’ appeared first on Baltimore Beat.

Bird in Hand, 11 E. 33rd St., (410) 814-0373, birdinhandcharlesvillage.com.

Award-winning author Eric Puchner will read from his latest collection of stories, “Last Day on Earth,” now out in paperback. Puchner will be joined in conversation by local Baltimore writer, Nate Brown. March 1, 7 p.m.

The next installment of the local Readings with Ralphie series with Raphael Alvarez features novelists Eric D. Goodman, Jeff Richards, and Erin J. Mullikin, who is founding editor of the online literary journal Nightblock and small literary press Midnight City Books. March 6, 7 p.m.

Greedy Reads, 1744 Aliceanna St., (410) 276-6222, greedyreads.com. Join author Susan Weis-Bohlen for a book talk and signing of her book “Ayurveda Beginner’s Guide: Essential Ayurvedic Principles and Practices to Balance and Heal Naturally.”

The Ivy Bookshop, 6080 Falls Road, (410) 377-2966, theivybookshop.com. Giles Milton, host of the podcast Unknown History, will read from his latest book “Churchill’s Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare: The Mavericks Who Plotted Hitler’s Defeat,” an account of the top-secret organization whose purpose was nothing short of the destruction of Hitler’s war machine. March 6, 7 p.m.

Elliot Ackerman, former Marine and author of the critically acclaimed novel “Green on Blue,” will read from his new novel of the Syrian Civil War, “Dark at the Crossing.” Nominated for a National Book Award, “Dark at the Crossing” has been named one of the best books of the year by The Washington Post, NPR, The Christian Science Monitor, Military Times, and others. March 7, 7 p.m.

The Red Canoe, 4337 Harford Road, (410) 444-4440, redcanoecafe.virb.com. First Friday: Every first Friday of the month, Red Canoe showcases a new local artist, along with delicious food and complimentary wine. March 1, 6-9 p.m.

Red Emma’s, 30 W. North Ave., (443) 602-7585, redemmas.org. Todd Miller, author of “Storming the Wall: Climate Change, Migration, and Homeland Security,” will discuss how the world is preparing for mass displacement by fortifying borders and imprisoning migrants. He will be joined by Nasim Chatha, of Alliance for Global Justice, and the two will discuss the U.S.’s role in managing or advising the prison systems of 38 different countries. March 2, 7:30 p.m.

World-renowned activist and poet Sonya Renee Taylor will read from her latest, “The Body Is Not an Apology,” a book that invites us to reconnect with the radical origins of our minds and bodies and celebrate our collective, enduring strength. March 4, 3 p.m.

Spanning American transgender history from the mid-20th century to today, Susan Stryker will lead attendees on a chronological journey through major movements, writings, and events in her new revised edition of “Transgender History.” March 6, 7:30 p.m.

The post Literary Events: Feb. 28-March 7 appeared first on Baltimore Beat.

Atomic Books, 3260 Falls Road, (410) 662-4444, atomicbooks.com.

Joanna Angel reads from her first novel-length work of fiction, “Night Shift: A Choose-Your-Own Erotic Fantasy.” A surprise is in store for attendees, as Joanna will be bringing her own “Choose-Your-Own” aspect to the reading. The event will also feature a special acoustic performance by War On Women. Feb. 24, 7 p.m.

The Children’s Bookstore, 737 Deepdene Road, (410)532-2000, thecbstore.com.

The Children’s Bookstore will host Newbery Honor Award winning author and illustrator Victoria Jamieson in the store. Widely acclaimed for 2015’s “Roller Girl,” Jamieson’s latest book is “All’s Faire in Middle School.” Feb. 26, 3:40 p.m.

The Ivy Bookshop, 6080 Falls Road, (410) 377-2966, theivybookshop.com.

New York Times bestselling author Laura Lippman launches her newest thriller, “Sunburn.” The Baltimore-based writer will follow the reading with a book signing; Feb. 23, 7 p.m.

Children’s author Casey Lyall will read from her latest book, “Inky’s Great Escape.” The book is inspired by the true-life story of “Inky the Octopus” who escaped from the National Aquarium of New Zealand in 2016; Feb. 24, 10 a.m.

The Red Canoe, 4337 Harford Road, (410) 444-4440, redcanoecafe.virb.com. 

Calling all YA readers! Local YA author Katelyn Brawn will read from her recently published novel, “Pumpkin Pie.” Feb. 25, 1-3 p.m.

Red Emma’s, 30 W. North Ave., (443) 602-7585, redemmas.org. 

What is harm reduction? What are Safer Consumption Spaces? These questions and more will be answered when Nurses for Justice and Baltimore Harm Reduction Coalition come together to host a panel on Safer Consumption Spaces; Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m.

Cultural critic and American studies professor Noliwe Rooks, author of “Cutting School: Privatization, Segregation, and the End of Public Education,” will explore the challenges and tensions at play today in America’s “separate and unequal’ public school system; Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m.

National Book Award Finalist Nancy MacLean will discuss her book “Democracy in Chains,” a thoroughly researched narrative that follows Nobel Prize-winning political economist James McGill Buchanan and the operation he and his colleagues designed over six decades to alter every branch of government to disempower the democratic majority; Feb. 24, 6 p.m.

Stevenson University presents the Baltimore Speakers Series, Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St., (410) 783-8000, baltimorespeakersseries.org. 

The popular travel guide author and host of the PBS series “Rick Steves’ Europe,” Rick Steves will speak to a Baltimore audience on the benefits of independent traveling, the joys of visiting small villages off the beaten path, and the virtues of being a “temporary local.” Feb. 27, 8 p.m.

The post Literary Events: Feb. 21-28 appeared first on Baltimore Beat.

Atomic Books, 3260 Falls Road, (410) 662-4444, atomicbooks.com. At this book launch party, New York Times essayist Tim Kreider will discuss his latest essay collection, “I Wrote This Book Because I Love You”; Feb. 9, 7 p.m. To celebrate the release of the expanded edition of her classic book, “Deviant Desires: A Tour of the Erotic Edge,” author Katharine Gates will be presenting a slideshow about deviant desires; Feb. 10, 7 p.m.

Bird in Hand, 11 E. 33rd Street, (410) 814-0373, birdinhandcharlesvillage.com. Bird in Hand presents Baltimore-based author Timmy Reed in conversation with Jane Delury, chair of the Johns Hopkins School of Communication Design. The two will discuss Reed’s new novel, “Kill Me Now”; Feb. 8, 7 p.m. John Darnielle, frontman of The Mountain Goats and New York Times bestselling author, reads from and discusses his second novel, “Universal Harvester”; Feb. 10, 7 p.m.

The Children’s Bookstore, 737 Deepdene Road, (410)532-2000, thecbstore.com. Weekly storytime for children ages 4 and under; Feb. 9, 9:30 a.m.

Enoch Pratt Central Library – African American Department, 400 Cathedral St., (410)-361-9287, calendar.prattlibrary.org. Award-winning illustrator Floyd Cooper discusses his work in “Ira’s Shakespeare Dream,” a biography of African-American Shakespearean actor Ira Aldridge. Ages 7-12; Feb. 7, 6:30 p.m.

The Ivy Bookshop, 6080 Falls Road, (410) 377-2966, theivybookshop.com. Acclaimed journalist and veteran Elliot Ackerman discusses his latest novel, “Dark At The Crossing,” which was a finalist for the 2017 National Book Award; Feb. 7, 7 p.m. Raúl The Third, illustrator of the children’s graphic novel “Lowriders To The Center Of The Earth,” reads and leads a discussion for children aged 9-12; Feb. 12, 7 p.m.

The Red Canoe, 4337 Harford Road, (410) 444-4440, redcanoecafe.virb.com. Local artist and maker, Berber Poplin, owner of the Colorful Berry, will be hosting a Valentine’s workshop for kids aged 5-9. $5 per child; Feb. 11, 1-2 p.m. Tiny Dog Press will lead kids through a Valentine’s Day Card making workshop. Paper, stickers, markers, and stamps will be provided. In addition, The Red Canoe’s small letterpress will be made available for printing special love notes; Feb. 12, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Red Emma’s, 30 W. North Ave., (443) 602-7585, redemmas.org. Joined by the co-directors of Popular Resistance in leading a discussion on organizing strategies, author and activist Nick Licata will speak about how the organizing principles that are illustrated in his book “Becoming A Citizen Activist” can assist citizens in stopping Trumpism; Feb 7, 5 p.m. Jerry Z. Muller presents his latest book, “The Tyranny of Metrics,” which uncovers the damage our obsession with metrics is causing—and points to how we can begin to fix the problem; Feb. 8, 7:30 p.m. Matthew R.Pembleton gives a talk on his new book “Containing Addiction: The Federal Bureau of Narcotics and  the Origins of America’s Global Drug War”; Feb. 10, 6 p.m.

The post Literary Events: Feb. 7-14 appeared first on Baltimore Beat.

Timmy Reed, “Kill Me Now”

Feb. 1

The latest from prolific, ambitious Baltimore author and educator Timmy Reed (previous books: “Tell God I Don’t Exist,” “The Ghosts That Surrounded Them,” “Stray/Pest,” “Miraculous Fauna,” “Star Backwards,” and “IRL”) is “Kill Me Now,” a tough-minded bildungsroman about a young man nicknamed “Retard” (boy are teens terrible to each other!) who befriends an older neighbor and well, learns to be a bit more open and accepting. Written in the voice of “Retard” (actual name: Miles) by way of journal entries, Reed constructs a warts-and-all depiction of being young and open-hearted and understandably very pissed off. As to not spoil much more, here’s a quick excerpt from early in the book: “I chew on my pens until they explode in my mouth and the ink gets suck in the cracks between my teeth and people laugh. My shoelaces are always coming untied. I sweat in my sleep and wake up very cold. My short-term memory sucks donkey wang. Everything I touch somehow gets lost. People tell me I look confused.” Reed will be in conversation with Madison Smartt Bell tonight at Atomic (and will also appear at Bird In Hand on Feb. 8 on conversation with Jane Delury). 7 p.m., Atomic Books, 3620 Falls Road, (410) 662-4444, atomicbooks.com, free. (Brandon Soderberg)

Mark Whitaker, “Smoketown: The Untold Story Of The Other Great Black Renaissance”

Feb. 6

There are almost endless alternative or underground histories of America—or OK, in this case, Amerikkka—that have been ignored, removed, whitewashed, or just not talked about all that much because well, racism. So many cities are full of robust and massively important black cultural and political hubs that don’t get nearly half the critical and historical engagement they should. Mark Whitaker’s book “Smoketown: The Untold Story Of The Other Great Black Renaissance,” intends to expand the black history of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania beyond the setting of numerous August Wilson plays. Whitaker recently wrote in the Paris Review that while the European-American history in Pittsburgh “is well documented . . . far less chronicled but just as extraordinary is the confluence of forces that made the black population of the city, for a brief but glorious stretch of the twentieth century, one of the most vibrant and consequential communities of color in U.S. History.” Pairs nicely with RJ Smith’s 2007 book, “The Great Black Way: L.A. in the 1940s and the Last African American Renaissance.” 6:30 p.m., Enoch Pratt Central Library, 400 Cathedral St., (410) 396-5430, prattlibrary.org, free. (Brandon Soderberg)

Atomic Books, 3260 Falls Road, (410) 662-4444, atomicbooks.com. Timmy Reed, a writer and teacher from Baltimore, will discuss his new coming-of-age novel, “Kill Me Now,” in conversation with Madison Smartt Bell, Professor of English at Goucher College; Feb. 1, 7 p.m. Monthly First Friday, this time featuring Oliver Brewing Company. Happy Hour prices on their beer all night, and extended hours at Atomic’s Eightbar until 11 p.m.; Feb. 6, 7 p.m.

Baltimore County Public Library Pikesville Branch, 1301 Reisterstown Road, (410) 887-1234, bcpl.info. Astrophysicist and author Mario Livio discusses his new book “Why?: What Makes Us Curious,” an exploration of the scientific nature of curiosity; Jan. 31, 2:30 p.m.

The Children’s Bookstore, 737 Deepdene Road, (410) 532-2000, thecbstore.com. Weekly storytime for children ages 4 and under; Feb. 2, 9:30 a.m.

Church of the Redeemer, 5603 N. Charles St., (410) 435-7333, redeemerbaltimore.org/events. Enoch Pratt Free Library sponsors Writers LIVE with Chris Matthews, author of “Bobby Kennedy: A Raging Spirit”; Jan. 31, 7:30 p.m.

Enoch Pratt Central Library – African American Department, 400 Cathedral S., (410) 361-9287, calendar.prattlibrary.org. Author, historian, and journalist Mark Whitaker discusses his new book “Smoketown,” a portrait of Black culture in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from the 1920s-1950s; Feb. 6, 6:30 p.m.

The Ivy Bookshop, 6080 Falls Road, (410) 377-2966, theivybookshop.com. NoNieqa Ramos, interviewed by Amanda Eby, discusses her new teen memoir-style novel, “The Disturbed Girl’s Dictionary”; Feb. 1, 7 p.m. An evening of poetry from Mason Jar Press, an independent press based in Baltimore, specializing in handmade, limited edition chapbooks and full-length publications by both established and emerging writers; Feb. 2, 7 p.m.

Red Emma’s, 30 W. North Ave., (443) 602-7585, redemmas.org. Award-winning journalist Johann Hari presents “Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression—And the Unexpected Solutions”; Feb. 1, 7:30 p.m. Red Emma’s Mother Earth Poetry Vibe Featuring Lyrispect, the Philadelphia-based, award-winning lyricist, author, educator and voiceover artist whose work brings together multiple art forms; Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m.

The post Literary Events: Jan. 31-Feb. 7 appeared first on Baltimore Beat.

Baltimore County Public Library Pikesville Branch, 1301 Reisterstown Road, (410) 887-1234, bcpl.info. Astrophysicist and writer Mario Livio discusses his book “Why?: What Makes Us Curious.” Jan. 31, 2:30 p.m.

Bird In Hand, 11 E. 33rd St., (410) 814-0373, birdinhandcharlesvillage.com. Alison Roman, author of “Dining In: Highly Cookable Recipes” is joined by cooks Lauren Sandler of Canningshed, Jinji Fraser of Pure Chocolate by Jinji, and Sarah Conezio of Keepwell Vinegar. Jan. 29, 6:30 p.m.

Church of the Redeemer, 5603 N. Charles St., prattlibrary.org. Author and political commentator Chris Matthews discusses his new book, “Bobby Kennedy: A Raging Spirit.” Jan. 31, 7:30 p.m.

The Ivy Bookshop, 6080 Falls Road, (410) 377-2966, theivybookshop.com. Nathaniel Rich, author of “King Zeno,” discusses his latest historical crime novel. Jan. 25, 7 p.m. Poets Shirley J. Brewer, Rachel Eisler, Clarinda Harriss, Kathleen Hellen discuss “Nasty Women Poets: An Anthology Of Subversive Verse,” edited by Grace Bauer and Julie Kane. Jan. 28, 5 p.m.

Red Emma’s, 30 W. North Ave., (443) 602-7585, redemmas.org. Virginia Eubanks, author of “Automating Inequality: How High-Tech Tools Profile, Police, and Punish the Poor.” Jan. 25, 7:30 p.m.

The post Literary Events: Jan. 24-31 appeared first on Baltimore Beat.

“The Stories We Tell: Classic True Tales By America’s Greatest Women Journalists”

Jan. 18

Thanks to some savvy rereleases, the past few years have resulted in the lifting up of a few women journalists whose reputations, if not exactly forgotten, are not where they should be (and a lot of that has to do with them being women and journalism being like most things, a big dumb boys club) such as Renata Adler and Eve Babitz (who is a journalist even when she’s a fiction writer). On Netflix, there is the Joan Didion documentary “Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold” (if you want to understand the current political situation, read “Slouching Towards Bethlehem” and “The White Album”) and oh, here in Baltimore there is even a restaurant named after Ida B. Wells. It is all, well, a start to usurping the journalistic canon. Editor Patsy Sims’ anthology “The Stories We Tell: Classic True Tales By America’s Greatest Women Journalists” collects pieces of nonfiction from Didion, Susan Orlean, Lillian Ross, and 16 others. Sims is joined by journalists Suzannah Lessard and Maggie Mes at Ivy Bookshop to discuss the anthology. 7 p.m., The Ivy Bookshop, 6080 Falls Road, (410) 377-2966, theivybookshop.com, free. (Brandon Soderberg)

“It’s Even Worse Than You Think: What The Trump Administration Is Doing To America”

Jan. 23

So readers, you could spend the beginning of this week listening to Donna Brazille cogently explain why the Democratic party is hot mess, and you could end it hearing investigative journalist David Cay Johnston, who has been around covering Trump for about 30 years, explain why—well, just look at the title of his new book: “It’s Even Worse Than You Think: What The Trump Administration Is Doing To America.” All of this might get you more depressed and that’s totally legit, but it might also be good to endure a whole bunch of sobering real talk about politics, and Johnston knows Trump’s bullshit well. The book is split up into different sections where it unpacks what Trump’s doing or not doing piece-by-piece (“A President Like No Other,” “Jobs,” “Taxes,” “Fossil Fuels,” “Global Affairs,” “Education,” “Law and Order,” and so on). Here’s a quick, cogent excerpt: “Emotionally, [Trump] remains the thirteen-year-old troublemaker his father sent off to a military academy, where by his own account brutality was common. Being stuck in the awkward year between childhood and maturity for nearly six decades is a terrible fate, one that has twisted Trump’s personality.” 6:30 p.m., Enoch Pratt Free Library, Central Branch, 400 Cathedral St., (410) 396-5430, prattlibrary.org, free. (Brandon Soderberg)

Baltimore County Public Library Pikesville Branch, 1301 Reisterstown Road, (410) 887-1234, bcpl.info. Chef, author, and owner of Gertrude’s John Shields discusses his book, “Chesapeake Bay Cooking.” Jan. 17, 2:30 p.m.

Bird In Hand, 11 E. 33rd St., (410) 814-0373, birdinhandcharlesvillage.com. Charm City Spec, a speculative fiction series, featuring Tom Doyle, Malka Older, and Ariel S. Winter. Jan. 17, 7 p.m. A reading series featuring 2016’s Rubys Artist Project Grantees Thea Brown, Andria Nacina Cole, Michael Downs, Carla Du Pree, Andrew Klein, and Susan Muaddi Darraj. Jan. 23, 7 p.m.

Church of the Redeemer, 5603 N. Charles St., prattlibrary.org. The Enoch Pratt Free Library presents Donna Brazile, a longtime Washington insider and the author of “Hacks: The Inside Story Of The Break-Ins And Breakdowns That Put Donald Trump In The White House.” Jan. 17, 7 p.m.

Enoch Pratt Free Library, Central Branch, 400 Cathedral St., (410) 396-5430, prattlibrary.org. David Cay Johnston discusses his new book, “It’s Even Worse Than You Think: What The Trump Administration Is Doing To America.” Jan. 23, 6:30 p.m.

Enoch Pratt Free Library, Govans Branch, 5714 Bellona Ave., (410) 396-6098, prattlibrary.org. Katia D. Ulysse, the Kratz Center’s Writer-in-Residence at Goucher College and author of “Mouths Don’t Speak.”

The Ivy Bookshop, 6080 Falls Road, (410) 377-2966, theivybookshop.com. A discussion about Patsy Sims’ “The Stories We Tell: Classic True Tales By America’s Greatest Women Journalists,” part of the Sager Group Women In Journalism Series, with Sims, Suzannah Lessard, and Maggie Messitt. Jan. 18, 7 p.m. Singer-songwriter ellen cherry and poet Edward Doyle-Gillespie. Jan. 21, 5 p.m. “Love, Hate, And Other Filters” author Samira Ahmed in conversation with Sujata Massey. Jan. 22, 7 p.m.

Red Emma’s, 30 W. North Ave., (443) 602-7585, redemmas.org. Baltimore Science Cafe: Brain Stimulation with Dr. Pablo Celnik, a researcher and clinician in the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Jan. 17, 7:30 p.m. Cindy Millstein, the editor of “Rebellious Mourning: The Collective Work Of Grief.” Jan. 21, 3 p.m.

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Baltimore Youth Poetry Grand Slam 2018

Jan. 12

When tallying up the things Baltimore does really well, you have to put spoken word poetry near the top of the list. Look at Baltimore’s current Youth Poet Laureate, Mohamed Tall, who won the title by using his performance to out capitalism and Mayor Pugh for backing off her support for a $15 minimum wage. Or former Youth Poet Laureate Hannah Sawyerr, who recently released a book, “For Girls Growing into Their Hips,” and who we’ve profiled in this paper (“There’s something special about reciting a poem orally, and it’s obviously going to be different, but if your work makes no sense or is completely wack on paper, it’s just not it,” she told me about her writing process). Watch 12 other super-talented young people perform to compete in the international Brave New Voices youth poetry festival this summer in Chicago. 6-9 p.m., Red Emma’s Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave., (443) 602-7585, redemmas.org, free. (Lisa Snowden-McCray)

Baltimore County Public Library Pikesville Branch, 1301 Reisterstown Road, (410) 887-1234, bcpl.info. Photographer Amy Davis discusses “Flickering Treasures: Rediscovering Baltimore’s Forgotten Movie Theaters” her book of historic movie theatre in Baltimore. Jan. 10, 2:30 p.m. John Shields—chef, author, and owner of Gertrude’s—discusses his book, “Chesapeake Bay Cooking.” Jan. 17, 2:30 p.m.

Bird In Hand, 11 E. 33rd St., (410) 814-0373, birdinhandcharlesvillage.com. Writer and aid-worker Malka Older, novelist Ariel S. Winter, and short-story writer Tom Doyle share their work as part of the reading series Charm City Spec. Jan. 17, 7 p.m.

Cylburn Arboretum, Volmer Center, 4915 Greenspring Ave., cylburn.org. Dr. Allan Armitage comes to the Arboretum to discuss his book about the origins of the common names for popular and obscure plants, “Of Naked Ladies and Forget-Me-Nots.” Jan. 12, 6 p.m.

Church of the Redeemer, 5603 N. Charles St., prattlibrary.org. The Enoch Pratt Free Library presents Donna Brazile, a longtime Washington insider and the author of “Hacks: The Inside Story Of The Break-Ins And Breakdowns That Put Donald Trump In The White House.” Jan. 17, 7 p.m.

The Ivy Bookshop, 6080 Falls Road, (410) 377-2966, theivybookshop.com. Children’s author, animator, puppet maker, toy designer, sculptor, and art director Timothy Young reads from his book “I’m Going To Outer Space.” Jan. 14, 10 a.m.

The post Literary Events: Jan. 10-17 appeared first on Baltimore Beat.

Baltimore County Public Library Pikesville Branch, 1301 Reisterstown Road, (410) 887-1234, bcpl.info. Photographer Amy Davis discusses “Flickering Treasures: Rediscovering Baltimore’s Forgotten Movie Theaters” her book of historic movie theatre in Baltimore. Jan. 10, 2:30 p.m.

The Crown, 1910 N. Charles St., (410) 625-4848, facebook.com/TheCrownBaltimore. Celebrate the release of the third issue of “End of 83,” a literary magazine put together by Writing Hour, a writers workshop. Jan. 6, 7 p.m.

The Ivy Bookshop, 6080 Falls Road, (410) 377-2966, theivybookshop.com. Sujata Massey, author and former features reporter for the Baltimore Evening Sun, discusses her new book, “The Widows Of Malabar Hill.” Jan. 8, 7 p.m. Author Maud Casey talks “The Art Of Mystery: The Search For Questions” with Mark Durant. Jan. 9, 7 p.m.

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