Novelist Tao Lin garnered plenty of positive attention in 2007 with the novel “Eeeee Eee Eeee & Bed” and in 2009 with “Shoplifting from American Apparel,” works that effectively display the author’s creative mind and ability to infuse high-level intellect into his prose. With the release of “Taipei,” perhaps the author’s most complete body of work to date, 2013 might just be the year that Tao Lin becomes a household name. On Wednesday night at Dumbo, Brooklyn’s powerHouse Arena, Lin would launch his latest novel with a party that frankly no typical book store has ever seen.

As the crisp spring evening filled the air we headed inside the powerHouse Arena which was crowded upon our arrival. To really kick off an evening of critically acclaimed alternative literature, the crowded arena was able to unwind from the week day to the DJ sounds of Pitchfork Media staffers Jenn Pelly and Carrie Battan, who were playing a little bit of everything. The wide open loft space soaked up these delicious sounds alongside glasses of cool white wine offered to turn this into a true party.

Shortly after 8pm the Arena was at capacity and Lin’s editor from Vintage Books took to the microphone to praise “Taipei” itself, and extoll the virtues of the young, talented writer. For most of the evening Lin could be seen bouncing around the shop like a whirling dervish hanging with the DJs, embracing old friends and meeting the droves of fans that just wanted to wish him well.

“Taipei” features moments that brilliantly show us modern life, especially in the city. From scenes of walking through Whole Foods high on drugs to live Tweeting bad movies, most New Yorkers will easily find some type of connection to the work.  The book has garnered a great deal of praise from some of the today’s finest literary minds. Popular cult author Bret Easton Ellis provided Lin with a marvelous blurb, affectionately endorsing his love for Lin’s prose style. Many have compared Lin’s writing to that of Ellis’ early works, a tip of the cap for fans of that deliciously subversive, humorous style of writing. Guests that packed in the powerHouse Arena appeared to firmly agree, as much of the room gathered to purchase copies of “Taipei” and subsequently jump on line to meet the author and have their books signed. Tao Lin’s “Taipei” is out now and available everywhere books and eBooks are sold.

- Jay Rubin