National Book Award winner Jesmyn Ward in Mystic

Is there truly even one way to slurp oysters on the half shell with any sort of decorum or dignity?

No. But who cares? Even a National Book Award winner would agree.

For proof, consider Monday's dinner at Mystic's Oyster Club honoring Jesmyn Ward - whose "Salvage the Bones" won the 2011 National Book Award. A gorgeous but searing story of a desperate Mississippi family in the days leading up to Hurrican Katrina, "Salvage the Bones" is her second novel after "Where the Line Bleeds."

The evening, sponsored by Bank Square Books, includes a three-course meal at this very fine restaurant, a signed paperback of "Salvage the Bones," and conversation with the author. Pretty terrific.

- RICK KOSTER

Dinner With National Book Award Winner Jesmyn Ward, 6 p.m. Monday, Oyster Club, 13 Water St., Mystic; $60 includes three-course meal and a signed copy of the book, RSVP requested; (860) 536-3795, banksquarebooks.com.