Two summers ago, we told you about HarperCollins editor Rakesh Satyal and his occasional moonlighting as a cabaret singer; it turns out that he was also working on a novel, Blue Boy, based ever so loosely on his own childhood as an Indian-American coming to terms with his sexual identity in Ohio. That novel’s out now, and he’s been doing a series of readings and musical performances—which leads us to tonight’s event at The Slipper Room. (Full disclosure: This event was put together by senior editor Ron Hogan in his other capacity, as the curator of the literary website Beatrice and a reading series with the Mercantile Library Center for Fiction.)
Satyal will be reading from Blue Boy, and he’ll be joined by his longtime friend and editorial colleague Sarah Rainone, who’s also just published a debut novel, Love Will Tear Us Apart, about a group of high school “friends” reuniting years later when two of them get married. But that’s just half the evening’s entertainment: Several singer/songwriters from the Bushwick Book Club will be on hand to perform original songs based on the two novels—and there are plans in the works for both Satyal and Rainone to show off their musical chops as well. (The words “Disney” and “showtunes” have been mentioned.)
As pre-BookExpo America parties go, and we admit to a total lack of objectivity here, this is going to be one fabulous event, so come by the Slipper Room (167 Orchard St) tonight starting at 6 p.m. It’s a cash bar, but there’s no cover, and the entertainment begins at approximately 7 p.m.