Aaron Teel beat out 104 other applicants to get his book Shampoo Horns published by Rose Metal Press for its sixth annual chapbook contest. You should be very glad that he did. Shampoo Horns is an amazing narrative about the adventure that is growing up in a tornado-bait trailer park. The story takes place in 1989, and Teel’s incomparable voice narrates the life of a 12-year-old boy at home in his Superman Underoos and a worn towel, tied as a cape, as he pursues a hot Mexican babysitter against a backdrop of abuse, severed nipples and fireworks. Do not miss the chance to be hypnotized as Teel reads passages from the book here in Houston. Listening to the book trailer online is mesmerizing enough; we can only imagine experiencing it in person. Also on hand will be Mary Miller, author of Big World and Less Shiny.
Sat., Sept. 1, 7 p.m., 2012
This article appears in Jun 14-20, 2012.