David Foster Wallace's Favorite Bookstore Holds Readings to Celebrate "The Pale King"

Babbitt's Books, the bookstore David Foster Wallace once chose as his favorite in all the world of bookstores, will offer readings from THE PALE KING, Wallace's unfinished novel and last substantial work, on Friday, April 15th, at 7:30 pm. No word whether the April 15th date (Tax Day, i.e.) was purposely chosen to release this book about an Internal Revenue Service agent in Peoria, Illinois, but I'm guessing it was.

To celebrate the release of THE PALE KING, Sarah Lindenbaum, Babbitt's manager, has found readers among staff, fans and friends, to present selections from THE PALE KING as well as older works.

Babbitt's Books will also provide new copies of THE PALE KING and INFINITE JEST for sale. Refreshments will be provided.

If you are interested in reading, Sarah may be willing to add you to her list. She asks that you email sales@babbittsbooks.com if you'd like to volunteer. And anybody who is added to the list should present him or herself at 7 pm so Sarah can get her ducks -- or readers -- in a row.

There is more info about this event at Babbitt's here on a Facebook page where you can also volunteer to participate, and more details about the book itself at Babbitt's blog here, including biographical information about David Foster Wallace and handy links to reviews. This promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to commune and remember with other fans and former students in Wallace's hometown bookstore. Or as Sarah put it on her blog, "At this reading, we will remember him as a patron, a person and most of all as a friend."