Shelby's Social Diary
Bellinis at Birraporetti's and an author reading at the Wortham — a richliterary event for Inprint
As many as 100 spirited fans of the printed word gathered at Birraporetti's Downtown recently for the first half of Inprint Inc.'s third annual Books & Bellinis double-header mixer targeting supporters under age 50.
Diyva and Chris Brown hosted the evening that began with an early-evening cocktail hour and then moved on to Wortham Theater Center for readings by two of America's hottest young fiction writers — Téa Obreht and Gary Shteyngart. The two, who mixed and mingled over the bellinis, were part of Inprint's Margaret Root Brown Reading series.
In a playful twist on the typical name tag, guests listed a few of their favorite books as great conversation-starters.
Just in time for the reading in the Wortham's Cullen Theater, the youthful contingent adjourned to find their seats among the 700 that had turned out to hear the readings. Obreht, author of The Tiger's Wife, is the youngest winner of the Orange Prize, England's highest award for a female fiction writer. Shteyngart, winner of the National Jewish Book Award, is author of the bestselling Super Sad True Love Story.
The Books & Bellinis group included Inprint board president Matt Henneman, Inprint executive director Rich Levy plus Sarah Bray, Marc Eichenbaum, Dan Fergus, Cullen Geiselman, Caroline Hussey, Mat Johnson, Julie Nguyen, Erin Pikoff, Nic Phillips and Eliza Wright.
