Monday, March 12: Cut You Down Reading

Sam Wiebe's latest mystery is about a Vancouver student who disappears and a teacher who hires a private investigator to find her. Anarchists are involved somehow. Wiebe will appear in conversation with Seattle author Brian Thornton tonight.

Third Place Books Lake Forest Park, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 366-3333, http://thirdplacebooks.com, 7 pm, free.

Tuesday, March 13: Lit Fix 5th Anniversary

For five years, Lit Fix has been pulling down big and appreciative audiences on Capitol Hill, with proceeds going to local charities. Tonight, authors Megan Chance, Putsata Reang, Montreux Rotholtz, and Natalie Singer help to celebrate the books-and-music series. The $5 door charge benefits Team Read, a great teen literacy organization. Chop Suey, 1325 E. Madison St, 324-8005, http://chopsuey.com, 7 pm, $5, 21+.

Wednesday, March 14: A Long Way from Home Reading

Australian author Peter Carey is a world-class talent, and I'm not just saying that because he's won a shelf full of awards. A Carey novel is always an intensely readable thing, and he's the rare kind of talent that doesn't preen or showboat. He's just interested in expending exactly the right amount of effort for every one of his books. His latest novel takes place during a car race around Australia in the 1950s, and it explores Aboriginal identity. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com, 7 pm, free.

Thursday, March 15: Dock Street Salon

See our Event of the Week column for more details.
Phinney Books, 7405 Greenwood Ave. N, 297-2665, http://phinneybooks.com, 7 pm, free.

Friday, March 16: Enlightenment Now Reading

Harvard professor Steven Pinker's new book says everything is great. No, really. Press materials say "in 75 jaw-dropping graphs, he shows that life, health, prosperity, safety, peace, knowledge, and happiness are on the rise worldwide." Uh, okay, but the president is still a dumpster fire. University Temple, 1415 NE 43rd St,634-3400, http://www2.bookstore.washington.edu/, 7 pm, $35.

Saturday, March 17: Wonderland Reading

Portland poet Matthew Dickman, who has now published three poetry collections, reads with Portland historical novelist Emily Strelow. Strelow's book looks at two very different times in Northwest history - the late 1800s and the mid-1900s - to examine our Northwest character. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com, 7 pm, free.

Sunday, March 18: Hedgebrook Equivox

Okay, look, so this is maybe the priciest brunch you'll ever attend, but this benefits Hedgebrook, and Hedgebrook does amazing things. The writers' residency for women has changed the course of careers and inspired generations of women to write their stories. This afternoon, join Hedgebrook for a literary star-studded event featuring talks from playwright Sarah Ruhl and historian Annette Gordon-Reed and appearances from other Hedgebrook alumna. Herban Feast, 4136 1st Avenue, http://www.hedgebrook.org/equivox/, 11 am, $150.