Monday, November 18th: The Great Pretender Reading

Susanah Calahan's book The Great Pretender: The Undercover Mission That Changed Our Understanding of Madness is about a study in which sane people in the 1970s tried to get themselves committed to mental institutions. At the time, the study revealed some uncomfortable truths about our mental health system, and now Calahan is unveiling some uncomfortable truths about the study. Town Hall Seattle, 1119 8th Ave., 652-4255, http://townhallseattle.org, 7:30 pm, $5.

Tuesday, November 19th: We Are Puget Sound Reading

The latest reading for the new book about our beautiful, life-giving body of water features Suquamish Tribal Chairman Leonard Forsman, Mindy Roberts from the Washington Environmental Council, and Les Purce from the Orca Recovery Task Force. Town Hall Seattle, 1119 8th Ave., 652-4255, http://townhallseattle.org, 7:30 pm, $5.

Wednesday, November 20th: The Every Other

Doug Nufer's newest reading series presents great Seattle authors Thomas Walton and Jeff Encke, along with solo saxophone by Scott Granlund. Vermillion Art Gallery and Bar, 1508 11th Ave., 709-9797, http://vermillionseattle.com, 8 pm, free.

Thursday, November 21st: The Pacific Northwest Seafood Cookbook Reading

Naomi Tomky is a gifted food writer. This is the latest stop on her tour to celebrate the release of her new book, The Pacific Northwest Seafood Cookbook: Salmon, Crab, Oysters, and More. The book contains some 75 recipes for curries, appetizers, main dishes, and more. Third Place Books Seward Park, 5041 Wilson Ave S, 474-2200, http://thirdplacebooks.com, 7 pm, free.

Friday, November 22nd: Hugo Literary Series

In the Hugo House's latest Literary Series outing, writers Hannah Tinti, Juan Felipe Herrera, and Richard Chiem will read new work along the theme of "Taking Liberties." Amber Flame will perform music that meets the theme as well. Hugo House, 1634 11th Avenue, 322-7030, http://hugohouse.org, 7 pm, $25.

Saturday, November 23rd: Holiday Bookfest

See our Event of the Week column for more details. Phinney Center, https://www.phinneycenter.org/calendar/holiday-bookfest-2019/, 3 pm, free.

Sunday, November 24th: It's About Time Writer's Craft Anthology

"Seattle’s longest-running prose and poetry reading series" celebrates a new anthology that collects a few of the many craft talks that are a signature of the series. The book's editors, Esther Altshul Helfgott, Peggy Sturdivant and Katie Tynan, will be joined by Bethany Reid, John McFarland, and Susan Rich. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com, 3 pm, free.