Updated Info on Our Events with Marlong James, Tyler Oakley, and Brian Selznick.

There's a lot going on with events this week and I'd be remiss if I didn't tell you about them. Let me go through them point by point.

1. The Man Booker shortlist was announced, and much like 2014, we are honored to have events for two of the six finalists. First up was Chigozie Obioma for The Fishermen, who visited last April, on the book's second day of sale. Didn't I implore you to attend?  We had a really respectable turnout for a first novel from an author with no local contacts, and Obioma is planning to come back to do a school event in the coming year. 

And then there is Marlon James, author of A Brief History of Seven Killings.  Boswellian Eric told me, after he finished the book, that it may be the best novel he's read in 20 years, and it showed up on many best-of-2014 lists. We made a pitch to Riverhead, and they put us on the paperback tour, with an appearance scheduled for October 13 at Boswell. Well, guess when the Man Booker award ceremony is. October 13!

We're thrilled to announce Mr. James and his publisher were able to reschedule our event, which is now Sunday, November 1, 3 pm, at Boswell. Cross out the other date and re-mark your calendars. This event is free and unticketed.

2. In celebrity signing news, there's still ticket availability for Tyler Oakley, who is coming to Boswell to promote Binge on Sunday, October 25, 7 pm. I should note that less than 100 or the 500 tickets are still available, so if you and your 12 year old are procrastinating, you don't have much time yet. The Chicago event is already sold out.

In addition, keep alert for a signing with Trisha Yearwood on Saturday, September 26 for Trisha's Table*. Yes, that's coming up soon. It's going to be ticketed, with only 200 available, as Yearwood is fitting in this signing in the midst of three shows at the BMO Harris Bradley Center with Garth Brooks. Tickets for the concerts are available now. More info here. I'll update this post when tickets are available.

3. And finally, big news on our event with Brian Selznick. The new book, The Marvels, is out, and reviews are amazing. We're so excited about our event at the Pitman Theatre. But it turns out that the $35 book-included-in-ticket price was steep for many folks. Even with us absorbing the taxes and service charges into the book, which has a list price of $33.99, it just scared off a lot of people and made it difficult to target students, for example. Had the event been at the bookstore, it would not be an issue, but the Pitman is a big theater!

So we're announcing a $10 ticket that does not include the book. Our purchase website is updated, and if you're a Scholastic Book Fair customer (our cosponsor), you can use their password to sign up for a $10 ticket that includes their extras. The $35 book with ticket is still available of course. For folks who signed up for the $35 ticket who don't want the book you have two options The gift card alternative has been increased to $25, or you can cancel and rebook by calling the Brown Paper Tickets operator at 1-800-838-3006 .

And of course if you change your mind and want to by the book at the event, we'll have copies there for you to purchase.

Here's Selznick talking about the book with John Wilkens in the San Diego Union Tribune.

*For Binge and Trisha's Table, due to time constraints, we cannot take signed copy requests. You must buy a ticket and attend this event to get a signed copy, at least as of today.