As I wrote before, the next Verse Chapter Verse—The Stranger's new books-and-music series at the Sunset in Ballard—will feature Gary Shteyngart. Over the weekend, I read his new novel, Super Sad True Love Story, and I think it's his best book yet: It's a dystopian novel about a collapsing relationship set against the backdrop of a collapsing America. I can't wait to hear what Shteyngart has to say about it, and I think hearing him read the book in his own voice might be revelatory.

If you attended the first Verse Chapter Verse with Cory Doctorow, the format of the evening will be pretty much like that. A band plays a couple songs, the author reads, I interview the author for a little bit, the author takes audience questions, and then the band plays while the author signs books. It's the best parts of a reading and a rock show with all the bad stuff taken out.

This update is because we've finally nailed down the musical guest, and I couldn't be more pleased: Orkestar Zirkonium will be playing before and after the reading and interview portions of the evening. If I had to choose one band to make a soundtrack to a Shteyngart novel, it would be the Orkestar. If you've ever seen them live, you know that you're pretty much guaranteed to have a great time whenever they show up. Here's video of one of their performances:

Tickets are $5. The show will start at 8pm, Elliott Bay Book Company will be on-hand to sell Shteyngart's books, and the Sunset's bartenders will make sure you will not stay sober for very long. I hope you'll join us then.