TUESDAY
But What If We’re Wrong?: Thinking About the Present As If It Were the Past
June 7 at 7 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, 33 East 17th Street.
Let your inner skeptic flag fly! Chuck Klosterman has come out with a book for all the doubting Thomases who can’t help but question even the most basic certainties of existence –like, do we really, truly, need that extra cup of coffee to become human? Jokes aside, Klosterman tries to leap into the future and put our present beliefs under the microscope. After all, many so-called truths (the shape of the earth? the role of women? the necessity of using leeches as a cure?) have been debunked over the centuries– we look at the past and wonder “how did they believe that?” Klosterman explores some of his most pressing doubts about the concepts of time, gravity, art, democracy and more through conversations with a long list of current creative thinkers (including George Saunders, Kathryn Schulz, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Junot Díaz, Amanda Petrusich, and Richard Linklater).
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barnes & noble
Patti Smith Did an Impromptu Reading of ‘Howl’ On Its 60th Anniversary

(Photo: Bradley Spinelli)
The Barnes & Noble at Union Square was packed to the gills last night, with a line already forming on 17th Street long before Patti Smith was due to appear.
Riding the escalator up, we saw kids crowding every floor, sitting amongst the stacks in the hopes of hearing Smith read, even if they couldn’t buy a copy of her new book to get a wristband and get into the seating area and be guaranteed a signature in Smith’s new book, M Train.
At This Cookbook Store Hosting Guest Chefs, the Vibe Will Be ‘Medieval Sicily Meets Colorful Mid-Century Modern’

(Photo: Jaime Cone)
On Huron Street just off the Greenpoint G-Train stop, Paige Lipari is meticulously planning a world where she hopes foodies will feel deliciously at home. At Archestratus Books, slated to open late summer/early fall, Lipari will house hundreds of carefully curated cookbooks and host small, ticketed dinner parties with a warm, intimate atmosphere.
Protesters Fracked Up Andrew Cuomo’s Book Signing
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Terrifying Photos: Russell Brand ‘Basically Took Over’ the Strand Last Night
We have to admit, we steered clear of Russell Brand’s reading at Strand Book Store last night. Had we gone to see the hyperactive, hyperbolic comic-turned-crusader, we probably would’ve been the guy mentioned in this tweet: “Huge line outside the Strand; I ask a man what for, and his voice is noticeably ashamed as he says, ‘it’s for a Russell Brand reading.'”
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New Yorkers Tell Us Why They Lined Up For Hillary
Earlier today we surveyed the insane line at Hillary Clinton’s signing at Barnes & Noble in Union Square. Now, click through the slideshow to hear why her supporters were so stoked to meet her.
Hundreds of Hillary Fans (and a Couple of Haters) Lined Up in Union Square
Hillary Clinton fans, young and old, wrapped around four blocks in Union Square this morning, waiting for what one called a “historic moment” — a book signing at Barnes & Noble by their hero, the pantsuited pol who claims she hasn’t yet made up her mind about running for president.
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Which Pol Would You Rather Meet: Hillary or Gnarr?
Who’ll spark the longer line tomorrow morning: David Chang’s hamburger or Hillary Clinton? The First Lady turned Senator turned Secretary of State (turned President?) is signing her new book, Hard Choices, at the Barnes & Noble in Union Square tomorrow at 11 a.m., and chances are pretty good there’ll be a line of James Franco proportions when the wristbands are handed out at 8 a.m. (you’ll have to buy a book to get one, and no, Hillary won’t sign your Benghazi bumper sticker.)
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James Franco Fans Have Been Lining Up Since 5 A.M. This Morning
filmmaker/teacher/nude portraitist to show up at 10:45 a.m. to sign copies of his paperback, Palo Alto: Stories.
Many say they were spurred by this morning’s Today show appearance; others came as early as 5 a.m., huddling on the street with copies of his book, a prerequisite to get in to the event.
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