Gather ´Round

A long time ago in a galaxy not so far away... people used to tell each other stories. We’re not talking about tales concerning dragons, or parables meant to teach moral lessons, or even an entertaining tale about a farmboy on a quest to save a beautiful princess in outer space. People used to just talk about their daily lives -- in person -- with each other. In our increasingly isolated and celebrity-gossip-driven culture, one might think the art of personal story telling is forever lost, but at Books and Books it survives. The very popular, quarterly Lip Service returns tonight at 7:00 p.m. with several new stories selected by hosts Andrea Askowitz and Goldie Kossow and read aloud by their various local authors.

One storyteller offers her experiences as the winner of the Miss Miami beauty contest. Another recounts her time in Ethiopia when Emperor Haile Selassie was overthrown. A motorcycle aficionado shares her ode to hogs, while another reader remembers her pregnancy in Los Angeles. More storytellers and a modern troubadour round out the evening, and music by Landon Knoblock and his trio follows. Admission to this warm community event is free.
Sat., Feb. 24, 7 p.m.