Unstuck is a literary annual. Unlike a monthly or a quarterly, this means you know that the authors have had a long time to carefully consider their writing — or that they've blown their deadlines so badly and so often that it takes a year to get them under control. Tonight's readings of the first issue of Unstuck feature words from L.A.-based authors Aimee Bender (The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake), Rachel Swirsky (How the World Became Quiet and Myths of the Past, Present and Future) and Marisa Matarazzo (Drenched). A lot of publications jumped up and down recently because Unstuck marries the literate with the surreal and the high-brow with the slack-jawed; the New York Times listed it as one of the “10 most distinguished newer literary magazines in America,” a hair-splitting compliment that ranks up there with “10 amazing women I met after I was diagnosed with astigmatism.” The independent, Austin, Texas–based nonprofit cites Ballard, Borges and Vonnegut (hence the reference from Slaughterhouse Five in the name) as its touchstones. It smells like a literary annual should. You know you smell the magazines at the bookstore. You do. Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd.; W. Hlywd.; Thurs., April 12, 7 p.m., free. (310) 659-3110, booksoup.com.

Thu., April 12, 7 p.m., 2012

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