Garden Grows
As the saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers,” and so the release of “Louisiana Healing Garden” by herbalist Corinne Martin from LSU press is right on schedule. Martin goes beyond the beauty of local plants, herbs, shrubs and trees, detailing the medicinal qualities of each. Fragrant favorites such as gardenia and sweet olive, everyday blooming trees like crape myrtle and more highlight the important connection between communities and nature. The guide features more than 50 plants and their beneficial uses, along with identification notes, habitat, preparation and more. See what your own garden can bring this season.
Poetry in Motion
Celebrate the art of poetry with the New Orleans Poetry Festival, April 16-19. The festival will connect writers and poetry lovers with events held in New Orleans and beyond. Highlights of this year’s event includes opening night “The Final Splice” poetry performance at The Saturn Bar, roundtable discussions at Café Istanbul, a small press fair at The Healing Center, poetry writing workshops, a marathon open mic at Siberia and much more. The festival marks its 10th anniversary of bringing a collaborative, inclusive and creative series for all writers. For more information and a full calendar of events, visit nolapoetry.com.
Read + Connect
Blue Cypress Books on Oak Street has a variety of book clubs for any interest. Check out their Instagram @blue_cypress_books for a complete list of clubs, upcoming titles and dates for club gatherings. This month, The Guild fantasy club will discuss “Pantomime” by L. R. Lam on April 7, the HEA romance club will discuss “Make Room for Love” by Darcy Liao on April 21, and the Krewe of Arc for grown-up aficionados of classic children’s literature will discuss “All-of-a-Kind Family” by Sydney Taylor on April 27. bluecypressbooks.com
Events
April 8
The Garden District Book Shop monthly book club members discuss “Life on the Mississippi” by Mark Twain, at 6 p.m. The event is free to join. gardendistrictbookshop.com
April 11
The New Orleans Public Library ‘s Bywater Book Club holds its monthly meeting to discuss “Cursed Daughters” by Oyinkan Braithwaite, 3 p.m. at the Alvar Library branch. nolalibrary.org
April 12
Blue Cypress Books hosts storyteller Mr. Cole every second Sunday at 1 p.m. for an all-ages reading, sing-along, performance and craft event. bluecypressbooks.com
April 13
Celebrate National Poetry Month with “Writing Odes,” 2 p.m. at the Nora Navra Library branch. Led by Louisiana state Poet Laureate Gina Ferrara, writers will compose poems of celebration of everyday objects and life. nolalibrary.org
April 22
Author Taylor Brown presents his new release, “Wolvers: A Novel,” 6 p.m. at Octavia Books. Brown is the recipient of the Southern Book Prize, Montana Prize in Fiction, and the Ron Rash Award. His novels include “Fallen Land,” “Pride of Eden,” “Rednecks” and more. The author will sign copies of his latest after the presentation. octaviabooks.com
April 30
Writer Jason Reynolds leads a Virtual Author Talk at 6 p.m. hosted by the New Orleans Public Library. Reynolds discusses his book “Coach,” as well as themes of character and resilience. nolalibrary.org
