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Home > Desert Oracle Radio > Hi Desert Times to host live reading of new thriller novel
Podcast: Desert Oracle Radio
Episode:

Hi Desert Times to host live reading of new thriller novel
Category: Society & Culture
Duration: 00:00:00
Publish Date: 2025-07-19 15:38:00
Description:

Known throughout the Morongo Basin as a champion of print, Hi Desert Times Magazines is hosting a live reading with the author of a newly released thriller. On Saturday, July 19, acclaimed Southern California author Ivy Pochoda will offer a live reading from her recently released thriller, Ecstasy. Winner of the LA Times Book Prize, Ecstasy is described on Pochoda’s website as “a deliciously dark horror reimagining of a Greek tragedy.” 

Pochoda, who also teaches creative writing at the University of California, Riverside-Palm Desert Low-Residency MFA Program, is no stranger to heady themes. Her other works include The Art of Disappearing, Sing Her Down, and the dark desert tale Wonder Valley. As mentioned by owner Liz Lapp, the event is an official stop on Pochoda’s cross-country book tour, with Hi Desert Times joining bookstores in cities from Los Angeles to Philadelphia to celebrate the work.

“I love the book. The book is so good. I have admired Ivy and her writing for a while now, and heard her speak at Desert Split Open last summer. To be a part of her Penguin Random House book tour, there’s just so much excitement around having that caliber of writer here in 29 Palms. To expand our reach in that literary world is really exciting for me.”

Following the reading, Pochoda will be joined in conversation by award-winning Hi-Desert poet Alexandra Martinez. Together, the writers will host a Q&A session to discuss the passage, themes of the novel, and its relevance. A reception will be held after the event, during which attendees will have the opportunity to meet the author and purchase signed copies of Ecstasy. Food will be available for purchase by local vendor Much Ado.

Lapp shared gratitude to Corner 62 for allowing the space for such community-building events, which she views as key to expanding cultural and literary engagement in the Hi-Desert.

“I think that’s really important to give people access to a free event that they can come and access global voices. And I think that strengthens the community because it helps build empathy, and it also gives people perhaps the spark of what they may be able to do in their own writing or reading practices.”

This free, public event will take place on Saturday, July 19 at 7 p.m. at Hi Desert Times Magazines, located at 73552 Twentynine Palms Highway, Suite 2 in Twentynine Palms. Seating is limited. 

For more information, contact Hi Desert Times at (760) 910-9200.
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