Talking Leaves…Books welcomes back to Buffalo UB graduate Tess Callahan, to read from her acclaimed first novel April and Oliver (Grand Central Publishing), on Thursday, July 16, at 7 pm, at our Main Street store in University Heights, 3158 Main Street. There is no admission charge; books are on sale now at both locations, and will be available at the reading.

Tess Callahan’s heartbreaking debut novel APRIL AND OLIVER explores the complexities of family, intimacy, friendship and longing. When the story opens, April is grieving the accidental death of her brother, at the wheel of her car. Oliver tracks April down as she stands sobbing at the cemetery. It has been years since they’ve seen each other but quickly they fall into their old routine, with Oliver trying to “save” her from grief. Inseparable in childhood but now strangers, their lives have taken wildly different paths—Oliver, the responsible, newly engaged law student and April, embroiled in an abusive relationship and emotionally lost—just as she was all those years ago.

Being back in each other’s lives re-ignites the unspoken tensions of April and Oliver’s relationship. The life plans they’ve made for themselves—or didn’t make in April’s case—begin to unravel. Oliver cannot help but be drawn into April’s pain. But when he unexpectedly uncovers some family secrets it soon becomes apparent that Oliver has some demons of his own.

A Publisher’s Weekly spring debut selection, APRIL AND OLIVER pulls the reader into the center of its characters' emotional journey and doesn’t let go until the final page.

“…this emotional whirlpool of a debut novel is gripping, owing to Callahan's sharp, savvy storytelling. Callahan spins a dark, gritty tale of love, yearning, and choices while presenting engaging characters and substantial action that packs more than a few punches. Wise beyond words.” –Library Journal

A painter, teacher and mother of twins, Tess Callahan has written for the New York Times Magazine, Cottonwood, The Stylus Anthology: 1950-2000, The Boston College Magazine, New York Newsday and elsewhere through syndication. When not exploring the complex motivations of intriguing characters (in her personal life and in her work), she finds nourishment and sustenance in periodic travels to wild, austere landscapes around the world. Tess has an MFA in Fiction from Bennington College She earlier received an ESL degree from SUNY Buffalo. An excerpt from April & Oliver was published in Agni and was subsequently nominated for the Pushcart Prize (2000).