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- Greatest Hits: Jennifer Egan
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- Greatest Hits: Patti Smith
- Greatest Hits: John Waters
- Skagboys
- Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore
- Best of The Writers' Block 2012
- Birds of a Lesser Paradise
- A Working Theory of Love
- The Cursing Mommy's Book of Days
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Make It Stay
Joan Frank reads a passage from Make It Stay, the story of what happens after a mysterious catastrophe hits the tree-nestled Northern California town of Mira Flores. (Running Time: 20:48)
In the tree-nestled Northern California town of Mira Flores, writer Rachel ("an aging typist with an unprofitable hobby") and her Scottish husband Neil prepare dinner for a familiar "crew" of guests -- among them Neil's best friend, the burly, handsome Mike Spender, an irrepressible hedonist -- and Mike's wife, the troubling Tilda Krall, a hard-bitten figure who carries her dark unknowability like an accusation.
Mike and Tilda have produced an enchanting daughter, Addie -- who will also appear, unexpectedly, that night. As they ready the meal, Rae begs Neil to retell her the strange, twisted story of the Spenders -- to include Mike's secret life, and what happened once Tilda learned of it. Neil and Rae cannot guess how the shock waves from that story will threaten to destroy their own marriage -- after a mysterious catastrophe propels all five individuals into uncharted realities.
About the Author:
Joan Frank: Joan was born to New Yorkers in Phoenix, Arizona, and has lived in Hawaii, West Africa, Paris, and San Francisco. She studied with author Thaisa Frank (no relation) at the University of California in Berkeley, CA, and holds an MFA in creative fiction from Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC. Joan regularly reviews literary fiction for the San Francisco Chronicle Book Review. She lives in Northern California.
