Seriously Entertaining is House of SpeakEasy's acclaimed series where writers such as Roz Chast, John McWhorter, Sarah Ruhl, Salman Rushdie, and more take the stage to riff and ruminate informally, dinner-theater-style, on the evening’s theme. The Wall Street Journal calls it “Think-y entertainment for New York’s book-loving crowd,” The New York Times says it’s “a literary mixtape [with] perfect flow and variety."

Upcoming Show:

House of SpeakEasy continues its electrifying 2025 season at Joe’s Pub with a night of fresh, original storytelling from four celebrated writers. Inspired by the theme “Let the Great World Spin,” each author will take the stage to share a brand-new, never-before-heard tale—live, intimate, and unfiltered.

This month’s lineup features:

Jean Grae – Multidisciplinary artist, writer, musician, and comedian, whose deeply personal and genre-defying storytelling has captivated audiences across mediums. Her debut memoir, In My Remaining Years, is out now.

Amitava Kumar – Acclaimed author of Immigrant, Montana, My Beloved Life, and A Time Outside This Time, now out in paperback.

Paul Lisicky – Award-winning author of Song So Wild, Blue: A Life with the Music of Joni Mitchell and The Narrow Door, with work in The Atlantic, The New York Times, Tin House, and more.

Martha Anne Toll – Novelist and critic whose debut Three Muses won the Petrichor Prize and was hailed by The Washington Post, Vulture, NPR, and beyond. Her next novel, Duet for One, arrives May 2025.

Stick around after the show for a book signing with all four authors—plus, test your literary wits in our signature "Tip of My Tongue" quiz. The winner takes home all four books for free!

Join us for an unforgettable night where words take center stage.

House of SpeakEasy Website

Bookshop storefront to purchase books by upcoming speakers

Photo Credit: Jasmina Tomic