Writers Ryan Lee Wong, Sarah Thankam Mathews, Wo Chan, and Tanaïs with their books.
On Friday, November 4th, we gathered together at the Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House for a wondrous evening reading with writers Ryan Lee Wong, Sarah Thankam Mathews, Wo Chan, and Tanaïs, presented in collaboration with our friends at the New York University Creative Writing Program. It was a full house for these wonderful artists, as we celebrated their work and their latest books.
“Thinking of my parents living two oceans away”
Sarah Thankam Mathews kicked off the evening, reading from her dazzling debut novel All This Could Be Different. A coming of age story that explores first loves and friendships. We clung onto every word.
Sarah Thankam Mathews with her novel.
Sarah Thankam Mathews reading in front of a crowd at the Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House.
Ryan Lee Wong, about to start his reading.
The second reader of the evening was Ryan Lee Wong who read from his debut novel Which Side Are You On, a story that explores intergenerational activism, solidarity, and care for oneself and one’s community. Ryan opened up his reading by telling us that this is “a conversation-based novel, so I hope we can have conversations together after the reading.”
Ryan Lee Wong reads from his novel Which Side Are You On.
We were nourished by the words of poet Wo Chan, who was the next reader of the evening. Wo opened up their reading asking, “Are there any poets in the room?” Hands were raised as Wo’s arms shot up in glee, brimming with love.
Wo Chan and their book Togetherness.
“I love them. I know that this not a radical statement,
but I love loving them”
Wo read from their radiant debut collection Togetherness, which recounts stories from their queer childhood and adolescence. The poems that Wo read that night rooted us in tenderness, friendship, and nature.
Wo Chan reads from their collection Togetherness.
Tanaïs closed out the evening, reading from their memoir In Sensorium, which offers an alternate history of South Asia from an American Bangladeshi Muslim femme perspective. Bright, evocative, and heady — Tanaïs’ words drew upon memory and scent.
Tanaïs takes to the stage.
Tanaïs reads from their book In Sensorium.
We had a wonderful time being in community with such inspiring artists and writers. Thank you to the New York University Creative Writing Program for presenting this reading with us.
Writers Ryan Lee Wong, Sarah Thankam Mathews, Wo Chan, and Tanaïs.