Salem names JD Scrimgeour its first poet laureate

J.D. Scrimgeour was named Salem’s first poet laureate. Scrimgeour, a professor of English at Salem State, is the author of five poetry collections and helped launch the Mass Poetry Festival. He is the founder and director of the Salem Poetry Seminar, which brings together students from community colleges and universities to practice poetry writing with notable teachers in week-long seminars. In his poem “Salem, Mass,” he writes: “There’s so much misery going down/ in this city I call home… as I held your hand as I zipped down the slide/ I thought, yeah, I think I could live here/ for the rest of my life.” The inaugural term will last two years and begin in January 2025, coinciding with Salem’s 400th anniversary in 2026. Scrimgeour will present three to five public readings and workshops each year throughout the semester, as well as participate in community events and school events. According to Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo, the role “celebrates Salem’s rich literary history and highlights an individual whose written work enriches our community.”

Cape Cod Book Festival is approaching

Traffic stopped. The beaches are even more empty. Summer people went home. But there’s a reason to return to Cape Cod next weekend for the Cape Cod Book Festival, which runs November 1-3 at the Cotuit Arts Center. On Saturday, Sebastian Junger will chat with Jacquelyn Mitchard about faith after a near-death experience. Barry Sonnenfeld, director of the “Men in Black” trilogy and author of the memoirBest Possible Place, Worst Possible Time” will chat with the festival’s founder, Lois Cahall. Clara Bingham will discuss the feminist movement with Leigh Haber. Jeffrey Toobin will also discuss politics with Garrett M. Graff. On Sunday, Elizabeth Beller, RoseMarie Terenzio and Liz McNeil will discuss John F. Kennedy Jr. on the 25th anniversary of his death. Don Lemon will be awarded the Book of the Year award at the festival.I Was Once Lost: My Search for God in America.” He will meet with Imani Perry. Tickets for each session are $15-20. For more information and a complete schedule, visit: capecodbookfestival.com.

going out

“Book Against Death” Written by Elias Canetti, translated from the German by Peter Gilkins (New Directions)

“Masquerade” Written by: Mike Fu (Tin House)

“Philosophy of TranslationDamion Searls (Yale)

Pick of the week

Nicole Dahlmer of Gloucester Bookstore recommends: “from navel” Written by: Emmett Nahil (Tenebrous): “A perfect autumn, spine-tingling read. When a whaling ship crew finds a man in the belly of a whale and brings him aboard, Isaiah is made to care for him. Shortly after this stranger’s arrival, strange things begin to happen on the boat. “It’s a story about revenge, greed, punishment, the natural world and human relationships that I can’t stop thinking about.”

Nina MacLaughlin is the author of:Wake up, Siren.” He can be reached at: [email protected].