Brendan Short, ZZ Packer put on readings

We've only had a chance to read the first couple of chapters of Dream City, Michener Center alum Brendan Short's debut novel, but so far it's a hell of a read – finely written and researched (it's set in Depression-era Chicago), with an intriguing multiple narrative following the family Halligan – the brutish heavy Paddy, slowly suffocating mom Elizabeth, and 6-year-old Michael, who takes comfort and courage in comics heroes like Dick Tracy. But don't take our word for it – why not hear Short read in person tomorrow night at BookPeople (6th and Lamar)? That's Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 7pm.

The following week, Michener will play host to a reading from visiting professor ZZ Packer (Drinking Coffee Elsewhere) on Thursday, Dec. 4, 7:30pm, at Avaya Auditorium (ACES 2.302) on the UT campus (located at the southeast corner of 24th & Speedway). Both readings are free and open to the public.

For more info, visit www.utexas.edu/academic/mcw.