Open poetry readings planned at Pig Iron

Open poetry readings planned at Pig Iron

YOUNGSTOWN

Pig Iron Literary & Art Works announces its second monthly 2014 poetry reading at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Pig Iron Press, 26 N. Phelps St., downtown.

Phil Warren of Youngstown will be the featured reader. He is a Youngstown poet and teacher at Martin Luther King Elementary School on the East Side.

His poetry reflects the difficulties he has experienced in the city school system and the system’s struggle to succeed. His poetry challenges his peers and black youths to rise to a higher sense of purpose in education.

He will read at 7:30 p.m., and an open microphone will follow. Those in attendance are welcome to share their own work for up to eight minutes. For information, call 330-747-6932.

Akron author explores Rust Belt

AKRON

Ohioan David Giffels, author of “All the Way Home,” has written another book, “The Hard Way on Purpose: Essays and Dispatches From the Rust Belt.”

Giffels is an assistant professor of English at the University of Akron. His new book has been called a warm, humorous, intelligent celebration of Midwest culture.

Giffels was born in Akron and has lived there since. He has seen adults lose their jobs when the once-thriving industry in the Rust Belt began to crumble, and he has seen his friends leave, one by one. But some are committed to their Midwest culture, and Giffels is one of them. Why does he stay? The book explores that question.

The book will be for sale beginning March 18 and is $15 in paperback.

Monday Night Writers will meet March 17

CANFIELD

Area writers, both published and unpublished, are invited to attend the next meeting of Monday Night Writers, to take place from 6 to 8 p.m. March 17 at Peaberry’s Cafe, 4350 Boardman-Canfield Road.

The two-hour sessions, led by author and professional writer Nancy Christie, include a mix of writing exercises, information on the creative and business aspects of writing, and group feedback on works-in-progress.

The fee is $10 per class, and registration is preferred. For information, contact Christie at 330-793-3675 or at nancy@nancychristie.com.

Library book clubs are scheduled

LEETONIA

The Leetonia Community Public Library, 181 Walnut St., will feature the following book discussions:

The Classics group, meeting at 6 p.m. March 27, will discuss Letters of Heloise and Abelard, which is told through the letters of French philosopher Peter Abelard and his gifted pupil, Heloise. Through their intimate writings a vast range of emotions offer insight into religious life in the Middle Ages.

AM Bookends fiction group meets at 10 a.m. April 2 to discuss “The Moonflower Vine” by Jetta Carleton. Western Missouri is the setting for this family story of four daughters and the paths they take with their husbands. This American classic offers a look at romantic love.

The Nonfiction Group, meeting at 6 p.m. April 29, will discuss “The Guns of August” by Barbara Tuchman. This epic historical work is a Pulitzer Prize-winning best-seller about the outbreak of World War I.

Guests are welcome to join.