Some Literary Events in Queens this Week, Jan. 13

Queens is rarely thought of as being a home to writers, poets or playwrights despite a number of authors having called this place their home.

In recent years, reading series and independent bookstores have emerged, helping to make literary offerings visible in a borough known mostly for its cuisine.

The calendar above is a list of some of the literary events, mainly readings, happening in Queens. Click on a specific event to get more information like location and readers. You can also click on the tabs to change how you view the calendar.

Events mentioned in the calendar are subject to change and cancellation. Check the event's website or contact the event venue if you wish to confirm.

Descriptions of this week's events:

Afghan Women's Writing Project (Richmond Hill) Poems, essays, and stories by Afghan women, whose works help give voice to often unheard experiences, will be read -- but not by the writers. The authors, because of complicated circumstances, must conceal their identity and have volunteers read their works for them in public. 

• Monday: Reading is at Richmond Hill Library.

• Thursday: Reading is at Waltz-Astoria. This week's theme "Why I don’t talk to you / Why you don’t talk to me."

Astoria Bookshop (Astoria) is one of two independent bookstores in the entire borough of Queens. A general bookstore catering to the broad and diverse tastes of Astoria’s residents, it continues to organize events and readings to serve the community.

• Thursday: Reading & signing with Joe Tirella, author of Tomorrow-Land: The 1964-65 World's Fair and the Transformation of America.

• Saturday: Oh, Bernice! reading series is curated by a writing collective born from Queens College's MFA program. Each month a different host re-imagines the reading format, like recreating it into a mock dating game.   

Enigma Bookstore (Astoria) is the other independent bookstore in the borough of Queens. It is also possibly one of the only bookstores in New York that specifically caters to geek culture, often inviting sci-fi, fantasy and horror writers to read at its store. 

• Saturday: Graphic Novel Day at Enigma. Mike Dolce, Jared Barel, Oliver Mertz and Mike Isenberg are having a panel discussion.

Do you know about a reading series or arts venue in town? Tell us in a comment or a blog post.