Literary Tumblr Last Night’s Reading

Discover and glom on to an addicting literary Tumblr, Last Night’s Reading, which shares Kate Gavino’s drawings and quotes from readings in New York City. We’ve pulled some of our favorite posts for writing inspiration.

Kate started Last Night’s Reading in September 2013. She works in publishing by day, and has lived in Brooklyn for seven years now. Kate goes to about 3-4 readings a week, and her book based on her blog is coming out October 27.

What is your favorite NYC bookstore?

I couldn’t choose just one. In Brooklyn, I love Greenlight (it’s my neighborhood store) and WORD (they have Peter Pan donuts at their events!), and in Manhattan, I love McNally Jackson (best smelling bookstore), the Strand (best staff!!), and Housing Works (amazing event line ups). Also, shout out to Astoria Bookshop in Queens since it’s secretly my favorite borough.

What books would you recommend for a summer reading list?

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara made me burst into tears on the subway. The Light of the World by Elizabeth Alexander made me cry, too. I’m also looking forward to reading Saint Mazie by Jami Attenberg. I have a feeling it may make me cry, too, which seems to be the pattern in my reading choices.

Out of all of the readings and illustrations so far, what is your favorite creation?

One of my favorites is of Philippe Petit since the reading took place in the catacombs of a cemetery on a rainy Spring evening. I’ve been to some strange events, but that was by far the strangest—in a good way.

Here are just a few of our favorites!

Swamplandia author Karen Russell at McNally-Jackson, 6/12/14 — *Swamplandia* author Karen Russell at McNally-Jackson, 6/12/14

This Is How You Lose Her author Junot Díaz at St. Francis College, 4/16/15 — *This Is How You Lose Her* author Junot Díaz at St. Francis College, 4/16/15

Adult Onset author Ann-Marie MacDonald at BookCourt, 4/13/15 — *Adult Onset* author Ann-Marie MacDonald at BookCourt, 4/13/15

Americanah author Chimimanda Ngozi Adichie at the PEN World Voices Festival, 5/10/15 — *Americanah* author Chimimanda Ngozi Adichie at the PEN World Voices Festival, 5/10/15

My Salinger Year author Joanna Rakoff at WORD Bookstore, 6/15/15 — *My Salinger Year* author Joanna Rakoff at WORD Bookstore, 6/15/15

The Ocean At The End Of The Lane author Neil Gaiman at the New York Public Library, 10/31/14 — *The Ocean At The End Of The Lane* author Neil Gaiman at the New York Public Library, 10/31/14

Diamond Head author Cecily Wong at the Asian American Writers‘ Workshop, 5/23/15 — *Diamond Head* author Cecily Wong at the Asian American Writers‘ Workshop, 5/23/15

NW: A Novel author Zadie Smith at the Brooklyn Book Festival, 9/21/14 — *NW: A Novel* author Zadie Smith at the Brooklyn Book Festival, 9/21/14

The First Bad Man author Miranda July at Barnes and Noble, Union Square, 1/13/15 — *The First Bad Man* author Miranda July at Barnes and Noble, Union Square, 1/13/15