Monday, March 11: The Human Network Reading

Matthew O. Jackson's new book examines "why people fail to assimilate basic facts" and how human networks "enlarge our understanding of patterns of contagion." This is an interesting look at how social networks intentionally and unwittingly change our patterns of behavior. University Book Store,  4326 University Way N.E., 634-3400, http://www2.bookstore.washington.edu/, 6 pm, free.

Tuesday, March 12: Torture Machine Reading

Flint Taylor has been a lawyer in Chicago for over a half century. His book about fighting corrupt politicians and crooked police officers includes the case of murdered Black Panther leadership and a police officer who tortured suspects into making false confessions. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com, 7 pm, free.

Wednesday, March 13: Gingerbread Reading

Helen Oyeyemi is one of the biggest new names in contemporary fiction. Her latest novel, Gingerbread, continues her exploration of fairy tale tropes in the form of a mother and daughter who share a magical gingerbread recipe. Talking plants are involved, too. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com, 7 pm, free.

Thursday, March 14: Emerald City Comicon at Outsider Comics Boutique

Today marks the opening day of the 2019 Emerald City Comicon, the annual nerdfest that takes over the Convention Center downtown. The main show is all sold out, but there are plenty of big parties and events happening in geeky locations around the city. Tonight, comics writer Magdalene Visaggio will be signing books including Kim & Kim, Quantum Teens Are Go, Eternity Girl, Calamity Kate, and Morning in America at the very fine Outsider Comics in Fremont. Outsider Comics and Geek Boutique, 223 N. 36th St, 535-8886, http://outsidercomics.com/, 8 pm, free.

Friday, March 15: ECCC Queer Mixer

Outsider Comics teams up with Gamma Ray Games to present an Emerald City Comicon afterparty that is "free and open to all LGBTQ+ people, plus their friends and partners." You don't need a pass to ECCC to attend this show. There will be drinks, games, and opportunities to meet other queer comics nerds.

Raygun Lounge, 501 E Pine St, 812-2521, http://www.gammaraygamestore.com/, 7:30 pm, free.

Saturday, March 16: ECCC Afterparties on Capitol Hill

See our Event of the Week column for more details. Phoenix Comics & Games, 113 Broadway E, 328-4552, http://phoenixseattle.com, 8 pm, free./Fred Wildlife Refuge, 128 Belmont Ave. E., 322-7030. http://www.hugohouse.org, 8 pm.

Sunday, March 17: Friends of Seattle Public Library Book Sale

You have probably been to this sale before. It's the one where you walk in expecting to pick up a book or two and you leave with an aching armful of books for something like twenty bucks. Books at one or two bucks a pop? And it benefits the Seattle Public Library? What's not to love? Exhibition Hall at the Seattle Center, 299 Mercer St, 11 am, free.