The Big Idea

Fiction doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It lives in dialogue with every other human endeavor: psychology, science, philosophy, politics, music, and everything in between. The Big Idea pairs novelists with thought leaders from other fields for wide-ranging moderated conversations about the big ideas we all wrestle with in contemporary life. Their crackling, unpredictable exchanges will enlighten and entertain audiences and connect contemporary novels to the broader world.

The Siren Song of Househunting

The latest installment in PEN/Faulkner’s The Big Idea series pairs Marisa Kashino, author of Best Offer Wins—a whip-smart thriller set in DC’s cutthroat real estate market—in conversation with features journalist Rachel Kurzius. Moderated by PEN/Faulkner board member Ericka Taylor, they’ll explore the theme of homeownership: why it matters to us, and what it means when it’s out of reach of so many Americans. If you’ve ever found yourself doomscrolling on Zillow, you don’t want to miss this event!

After the program, guests are invited to enjoy a reception with complimentary wine and sparkling water. Loyalty Books will be on site with copies of Best Offer Wins for sale.

The Goethe-Institut is the worldwide cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany. It supports German language teachers and students abroad and fosters international cultural exchange. Its space in the District of Columbia is a hub for ideas, education, and social discourse.  

Marisa Kashino was a journalist for 17 years, most recently at The Washington Post. She spent the bulk of her career at Washingtonian magazine, writing long-form features and overseeing the real estate and home design coverage. She grew up near Seattle, graduating from the University of Washington with a degree in journalism and political science. She lives in the DC area with her husband, two dogs, and two cats. Best Offer Wins is her first novel.

Rachel Kurzius is a features reporter focused on stories that intrigue and inform in equal measure. For more than three years, she covered homes and how people interact in them for The Washington Post. She won the Edward R. Murrow Award for Investigative Reporting and was a finalist for the Society of Professional Journalists’ D.C. Dateline Awards. She lives in D.C. with her husband, daughter, and cats Bucatini and Tortellini. 

Ericka Taylor lives in Washington, DC where she writes fiction, book reviews, and opinion pieces. She is a regular contributor to NPR books, and her writing has appeared in YES! Media, Willow Springs Magazine, Bloom, and The Millions. She has spent the bulk of her career in organizing and advocacy and currently serves as the Co-Executive Director of Americans for Financial Reform. Taylor earned her BA in English from Cornell University and an MFA in Creative Writing from the Inland Northwest Center for Writers at Eastern Washington University. Her board service has included the National Organizers Alliance, Western States Center, National Priorities Project, La Clínica del Pueblo, and Jews United for Justice.