Monday, April 29: Women Talking Reading

The premise of the latest novel by superstar novelist Miriam Toews (which rhymes with "waves," by the way) sounds like a gut-punch: eight devout Mennonite women who believe they have been repeatedly sexually assaulted in the night by demons realize that instead they have been drugged and raped by their neighbors. They vow revenge. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com, 7 pm, free.

Tuesday, April 30th: Green Architecture Discusssion

Palestinian engineer and CEO Majd Mashhawari discusses her recycled building-materials startup with Seattle architect Rania Qawasma, who is the "founder of Architecture for Refugees USA and a board member of Architects Without Borders. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com, 7 pm, free.

Wednesday, May 1st: Birds of the West Reading

Molly Hashimoto's new book "captures nearly 100 Western species [of birds] using different media, from quick sketches with pen and ink to more carefully planned and vivid block prints." It's a book that will delight birders and inspire artists to look a little more closely at how wonderfully weird birds are. University Book Store,  4326 University Way N.E., 634-3400, http://www2.bookstore.washington.edu/, 6 pm, free.

Thursday, May 2nd: Urban Trails Seattle Reading

Did you know that Seattle has miles of uninterrupted, paved trails stretching as far north as Everett and as far south as Auburn? Craig Romano's new book is about all the amazing walking you're missing out on. Third Place Books Seward Park, 5041 Wilson Ave S, 474-2200, http://thirdplacebooks.com, 7 pm, free.

Friday, May 3rd: Commune Magazine Reading

Editors Shyam Khanna, Jasper Bernes, and Chloe Watlington debut the second issue a new magazine that is all about the idea of revolution to overturn capitalism. Commune addresses popular culture and Marxism and everything the kids are into these days. Check it out. University Book Store,  4326 University Way N.E., 634-3400, http://www2.bookstore.washington.edu/, 7 pm, free.

Saturday, May 4h: Free Comic Book Day

See our Event of the Week column for more details https://www.freecomicbookday.com/StoreLocator

Sunday, May 5th: Crypticon

This is the final day of this year's installment of the popular horror convention. More than 5,000 fans of ghastly books, movies, TV shows, and other media will be wandering around scaring each other and being scared. Publishers including Lycan Valley Press and When the Dead Books will be selling their wares all weekend long. SeaTac DoubleTree, 18740 International Blvd, 246-8600, https://www.crypticonseattle.com/, 11 am, $20.