Booksmith is thrilled to host Cleyvis Natera to celebrate the paperback launch of her phenomenal debut, Neruda on the Park, which has been widely praised and named a New York Times Editors' Choice. She'll be in conversation with Leila Mottley, author of Nightcrawling. Join us!

Please note: advance sales have ended, but we will have space available at the door – this will go on a first come, first serve basis, with no guarantee of admission for walk-ups. If you need tickets, we recommend you arrive no later than 7pm.

About the book

The Guerreros have lived in Nothar Park, a predominantly Dominican part of New York City, for twenty years. When demolition begins on a neighboring tenement, Eusebia, an elder of the community, takes matters into her own hands by devising an increasingly dangerous series of schemes to stop construction of the luxury condos. Meanwhile, Eusebia’s daughter, Luz, a rising associate at a top Manhattan law firm who strives to live the bougie lifestyle her parents worked hard to give her, becomes distracted by a sweltering romance with the handsome white developer at the company her mother so vehemently opposes.

 As Luz’s father, Vladimir, secretly designs their retirement home in the Dominican Republic, mother and daughter collide, ramping up tensions in Nothar Park, racing toward a near-fatal climax.

A beautifully layered portrait of family, friendship, and ambition, Neruda on the Park weaves a rich and vivid tapestry of community as well as the sacrifices we make to protect what we love most, announcing Cleyvis Natera as an electrifying new voice.

About the authors

Cleyvis Natera was born in the Dominican Republic, migrated to the United States at ten years old, and grew up in New York City. She holds a BA from Skidmore College and an MFA from New York University. Her writing has won awards and fellowships from PEN America, the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, the Kenyon Review’s Writers Workshops, and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. She lives with her husband and two young children in Montclair, New Jersey. Neruda on the Park is her first novel. Author photo by Beowulf Sheehan.

Leila Mottley is the author of Nightcrawling, an Oprah’s Book Club Pick andNew York Times best seller. Nightcrawling was nominated for the Booker Prize and the PEN/Hemingway Award. She is also the 2018 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate. She was born and raised in Oakland, California, where she continues to live. Author photo by Magdalena Frigo.

Please note:

• Masks will be required throughout the duration of the event and capacity will be limited to allow indoor distancing. Protocols subject to change.
• Because we’re limiting capacity, we can't guarantee we'll have space for walk-ins. The best way to ensure you’ll get a seat is to order the Book + Seat ticket through this link; you can also RSVP for a free seat right here while supplies last.
• We are happy to offer *signed copies* of Neruda on the Park: order a Book + Seat ticket bundle if you'd like to pick up a signed copy at the event, or order here if you just want a signed copy.
• Order Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley here.
• If we feel it is not safe to gather, as the event gets closer, we will pivot to a virtual event and your registration will remain valid.
• Questions? Write events@booksmith.com.