Current MFA candidate in the Iowa Writers’ Workshop Jamil Jan Kochai will read from his new novel, 99 Nights in Logar.  "99 Nights in Logar is a revelation, in every sense of the word. An intimate look at childhood, at an Afghan province, at people and places as they deserve to be known, in all their complications ... the writing is all energy, adventure, and possibility. Jamil Kochai is an astoundingly talented writer, listen up."—Justin Torres

Jamil Jan Kochai was born in Pakistan and grew up...

Paul's Book Club in January will feature Tom Drury's hilarious novel, Hunts in Dreams.  Tom Drury, who'll be teaching Fiction in the Iowa Writers' Workshop this Spring, will be joining us for the discussion of his work.  Drury hails from northern Iowa and has taught in Germany and Italy.

"Here's an author who sees and hears what others either miss or fail to note the significance of."—Richard Russo

Among Drury's other novels are, Pacific, The Driftless Area, and The End of Vandalism all told...

Madhuri Vijay will read from her elegant, epic debut novel, The Far Field.  
“Vijay provides that alchemical mix of political examination with personal journey that deepens all great novels. The Far Field plays out along the Indian/Kashmir border and follows a young woman's awakening into the dark realities of her family and her country. As an added bonus, her mother is one of the most memorable characters in contemporary literature. At times brutal, but always tuned to the desperately sweet...

Karen Bender, the National Book Award finalist for Refund, returns with the short story collection The New Order. These stories boldly examine the changes in American culture over the last two years through the increasing presence of violence, bigotry, sexual harassment, and the emotional costs of living under constant threat.  “What an amazing collection this is. Anyone who doubts that true art can be written in response to what’s going on in America needs to read The New Order.” —Joan Silber