Archives of Your Week in Readings

Monday, March 26: Love Hate Repeat Reading

Set on the University of Washington campus, Love Hate Repeat is a novel about a couple that gets together, breaks up, and gets back together again. They're kind of a clusterfuck but that's kind of the point. University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., 634-3400, http://www2.bookstore.washington.edu/, 7 pm, free.

Tuesday, March 27: Chain Letter S2E2

The second episode of the second season of the popular new-ish Capitol Hill readings series features authors Taylor Bereiter, C.T. McGaha, Alida Hammond, and the fantastically named Patrick Galactic. Vermillion Art Gallery and Bar, 1508 11th Ave., 709-9797, http://vermillionseattle.com, 7 pm, free.

Wednesday, March 28: The House of Broken Angels Reading

Luis Alberto Urrea's latest novel is about a family of immigrants. The story is based on Urrea's own family history, but it gains a certain immediacy in the age of President Trump Seattle Public Library, 1000 4th Ave., 386-4636, http://spl.org, 7 pm, free.

Thursday, March 29: The Way of the Writer Reading

See our Event of the Week column for more details. Annex Theatre. 1100 E Pike St, http://hugohouse.org, 7 pm, $15.

Friday, March 30: Laura Lippman and David Simon

Laura Lippman has written over 20 works of detective fiction and has won a butt-ton of awards. David Simon created The Wire, which is a TV show that you wanted to hate because nobody could shut up about it but then you watched it and it was really just that brilliant. Tonight, they'll appear together onstage, thanks to Seattle Arts & Lectures. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 215-4747, http://lectures.org, 7:30 pm, $20-80.

Saturday, March 31: Sorting Room Residency Reading

The most important thing that a writer needs is peace and quiet. Seattle7Writers offers a low-key residency called The Sorting Room, which is a humble room for writers to write in. Tonight, three Sorting Room residents - Matthew Bennett, Janet Buttenwiser and Sierra Nelson - will share work they've written in the room. This event will also raise awareness for Seattle 7 Writers' Pocket Library program, which donates books to "shelters, food banks, correctional facilities, and other places with readers in need of books."

Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com, 7 pm, free.

Sunday, April 1: Zeina Hashem Beck, Chelsea Jennings

Lebanese poet Zeina Hashem Beck reads from her second collection, Louder than Hearts. Seattle poet Chelsea Jennings just published her first collection, Transmission Loss this spring. Together, they'll read and talk about what it's like to be published poets.

Open Books, 2414 N. 45th St, 633-0811, http://openpoetrybooks.com, 7 pm, free.

Monday, March 19: The Dark Corners of the City: Literary Murder in Seattle

See our Event of the Week column for more details. Third Place Books Lake Forest Park, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 366-3333, http://thirdplacebooks.com, 7 pm, free.

Tuesday, March 20: The Northwest Garden Manifesto Reading

John Albers puts more than 30 years of Northwest gardening experience to work in his latest book, which will help you make your surroundings more of a genuinely Northwest landscape. Alberts is interested in environmentally sound gardening procedures and keeping gardens regionally appropriate.
Third Place Books Ravenna, 6504 20th Ave NE, 525-2347 http://thirdplacebooks.com, 7 pm, free.

Wednesday, March 21: Happiness Reading

Aminatta Forna's latest novel, Happiness, is about an American woman who goes to London to study the habits of urban foxes and who encounters a psychiatrist from the west African nation of Ghana. It's a book about coincidences and happenstance and serendipity. Seattle Public Library, 1000 4th Ave., 386-4636, http://spl.org, 7 pm, free.

Thursday, March 22: Sacred in the Everyday

Seattle poet Shin Yu Pai appears in conversation with zen teacher Peter Levitt, who has written 14 books. Levitt will share some of his most recent poems and then he'll talk about zen and poetry and teaching with Pai, who knows quite a bit about poetry and about thinking deeply about the world. Phinney Neighborhood Association, 6532 Phinney Ave N, 7:30 pm, free.

Friday, March 23: Bhopal Dance Reading

Jennifer Natalya Fink's latest novel imagines a world in which corporations can pollute and destroy the environment with almost no repercussions. Ha ha ha. Crazy, right? Of course it's fiction. Fink will appear in discussion with Seattle author Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com, 7 pm, free.

Saturday, March 24: Baby Story Time

It's never too early to start enjoying stories. The High Point branch of the Seattle Public Library hosts this reading of stories and poems aimed at Seattle's youngest book aficionados Seattle Public Library, High Point Branch, 411 SW Raymond St, http://spl.org, 11:30 am, free.

Sunday, March 25: King-Snohomish County Regional Spelling Bee

Exciting! Some 90 middle-schoolers join in M-O-R-T-A-L C-O-M-B-A-T to determine who is the best speller in the region. The winner will go on to face the best spellers in the country. I took part in a spelling bee in elementary school; I went on to regionals and then I lost because I spelled "VENEER" "V-E-N-I-E-R." I guarantee that several of these kids are going to remember the words they lost on for the rest of their lives, too. Campion Ballroom at Seattle University, 914 E. Jefferson St, 12:15 pm, free.

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.

Monday, March 5: California Calling Reading

Natalie Singer was from Canada. She dreamed of living in California - wrote a whole book about it, in fact, titled California Calling - and now she's living in Seattle. Tonight, she debuts her lyric memoir with another Seattle author, Sonora Jha. This book is getting a lot of pre-publication praise and it's from great Oregon publisher Hawthorne Books and this reading is free, so you have no excuse to skip this one.
Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com, 7 pm, free.

Tuesday, March 6: If Tomorrow Comes Reading

Seattle sci-fi author Nancy Kress's latest book, If Tomorrow Comes, is about humanity building a spaceship called Friendship. We head to the stars to try to find aliens who once visited Earth and then disappeared. What we find instead is a total mystery. University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., 634-3400, http://www2.bookstore.washington.edu/, 7 pm, free.

Wednesday, March 7: So You Want to Talk About Race Reading

See our Event of the Week column for more details. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com, 7 pm, free.

Thursday, March 8: Love and Other Consolation Prizes Reading

Seattle author Jamie Ford wrote Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, a historical novel about a hotel in Seattle's International District. His newest novel, Love and Other Consolation Prizes, is set in the Seattle of 110 years ago and it's based on a true story. Carco Theatre, 1717 SE Maple Valley Hwy, Renton, 775-8600, 7 pm, free.

Friday, March 9: The Monk Woman's Daughter Reading

This novel by a Seattle-area author takes place in the middle of the nineteenth century. It contains slavery, addiction, romance, and adventure. It's also got a pretty good first line: "My mother said she was a nun. That may have been a lie." Third Place Books Lake Forest Park, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 366-3333, http://thirdplacebooks.com, 7 pm, free.

Saturday, March 10: All About Lulu Reading

About a decade ago, Bainbridge Island author Jonathan Evison published his very good debut novel, All About Lulu. Tonight, he's celebrating a special 10th anniversary edition of Lulu with a big party including music from Mary Ocher and probably some cheap beer. Evison is publishing a new novel, Lawn Boy, later this year, so this event will likely be a ramp-up as the author transitions from the monklike world of writing to a more public-facing world of book tours.. Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery, 925 E. Pike St., 658-0110, http://fantagraphics.com/flog/bookstore, 6 pm, free.

Sunday, March 11: Don't Skip Out on Me Reading

Singer/songwriter Willy Vlautin is a local favorite who comes to town to charm audiences whenever he publishes a new novel. Press materials indicate that in Vlautin's latest novel, "Horace, a Paiute and Irish ranch hand, decides to become a boxer." Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com, 3 pm, free.

Monday, February 26: Family Story Time

I don’t know what could possibly be cuter than families wearing pajamas and bringing their favorite stuffed animals to a storytime in the Queen Anne Library. Maybe if they had pet bunnies at the event, too. But that might be overkill, right? Seattle Public Library, Queen Anne Branch, 400 W Garfield St, http://spl.org, 6:30 pm, free.

Tuesday, February 27: Winter Sisters Launch Party

Bestselling Seattle author Robin Oliveira debuts her new novel, Winter Sisters with a book talk, reading, Q&A, prize drawing and maybe some wine. The book is about two girls who disappear from Albany (circa 1879) after an intense blizzard that shuts the city down. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com, 7 pm, free.

Wednesday, February 28: Bad Stories Reading

Beloved writer Steve Almond brings his latest book, Bad Stories: Toward a Unified Theory of How It All Came Apart, to town. It’s a collection of essays all written after Donald Trump was elected president. Almond will be in conversation with Seattle novelist Peter Mountford about how we got here and where we’re going.
Sorrento Hotel, 900 Madison St., 622-6400, http://hotelsorrento.com, 7 pm, free, 21+.

Thursday, March 1: Katz Distinguished Lecture

The Katz Distinguished Lecture in the Humanities is a regular event at UW that celebrates art and artists. Tonight’s lecturer is Professor and Chair of English at the University of Washington, Brian Reed. Reed will talk about the long and fruitful relationship between poets and birds. Kane Hall 210, 4069 Spokane Lane, http://simpsoncenter.org/reed, 7 pm, free.

Friday, March 2: Emerald City Comicon

This event has long since sold out, but if you haven’t gotten an ECCC ticket, you should still hang out downtown and take in the costumes and the exuberance. Short Run is still my preferred comics convention, but ECCC is a beautiful monster. There are also plenty of free satellite events happening, including a signing by Love and Rockets cartoonist Jaime Hernandez at the Fantagraphics Bookstore in Georgetown on Saturday, March 3rd at 7 pm. Washington State Convention Center, 800 Convention Place

Saturday, March 3: Free Tax Help

Did you know the Seattle Public Library offers free help with your taxes? Today, you can find helpers at the Central Library downtown from 11 to 5 pm. But they’re also bringing tax help to a SPL branch near you between now and April. Check their site for more details — especially if you’re a writer who has done a lot of freelance work. Seattle Public Library, 1000 4th Ave., 386-4636, http://spl.org,11 am, free.

Sunday, March 4: Olio Reading

See our Event of the Week column for more details.

*McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St, http://lectures.org, 7:30 pm, $20.

Monday, February 19: Densho Day Remembrance

Noted patriot and memoirist Khizr Khan leads a day of remembrance for all the Japanese-Americans who fought and protested and were held in camps during World War II. There will also be a documentary screening and live music. Seattle Center Fisher Pavillion, 305 Harrison St, 2 pm, free.

Tuesday, February 20: The Silence of Vanishing Things Reading

Is “an over-reliance on scientific terminology and concepts…quietly undermining the human ability to come to grips with the climate crisis?” That seems like a complicated thesis to support. The Silence of Vanishing Things is an anthology of (mostly) poems about the battle to address and fix climate change. Third Place Books Ravenna, 6504 20th Ave NE, 525-2347 http://thirdplacebooks.com, 7 pm, free.

Wednesday, February 21: Close Encounters with Humankind Reading

Sang-Hee Lee discusses “humanity's dawn and evolution” in her book Close Encounters with Humankind. The Korean author will discuss her research into humanity’s beginnings and the answers to some of the biggest questions about evolution. Greenwood Senior Center 525 N 85th St, 7:30 pm, free.

Thursday, February 22: The Hummingbirds Reading

Seattle author Ross McMeekin takes his debut novel north of downtown. The Hummingbirds is about Los Angeles, real estate, adultery, and beautiful people. Third Place Books Ravenna, 6504 20th Ave NE, 525-2347 http://thirdplacebooks.com, 7 pm, free.

Friday, February 23: “Meditation for Writers” with Ruth Ozeki

See our Event of the Week column for more details. Washington Hall, 153 14th Ave, http://washingtonhall.org, 8 pm, $15.

Saturday, February 24: Soap for the Dogs x She Who Has No Master(s)

On March 1st, Gramma Poetry will publish Stacey Tran's new book of poetry, Soap for the Dogs. To celebrate the release of the upcoming title, Tran will be joined by writes who participate in She Who Has No Master(s), "a collective of writers and artists elucidating the Vietnamese 'feminine' - as touched by war, history, heritage, mythology, displacement, refugee exodus, violence, migration, and personal experience." Tea will be served, and three readers will perform poetry. Mount Analogue, 300 S Washington St, Unit Z, http://www.mount-analogue.com/current/, 7 pm, free.

Sunday, February 25: Look Reading

In her poetry book titled Look, Solmaz Sharif writes poems that plumb the depth of the “US Department of Defense’s Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms” to create art. This event is a discussion of the book; the author will not be in attendance. Open Books, 2414 N. 45th St, 633-0811, http://openpoetrybooks.com, 4:30 pm, free.

Monday, February 12: African-American Writers' Alliance

Seattle writing collective The African-American Writers' Alliance shares their work in one of their regularly scheduled south Seattle events. Third Place Books Seward Park, 5041 Wilson Ave S, 474-2200, http://thirdplacebooks.com, 7 pm, free.

Tuesday, February 13: Guts Launch Party

Janet Buttenweiser, a Seattle writer and teaching instructor, launches her memoir into the world. Guts is an account of her ongoing battle with Crohn’s Disease, which includes “three surgeries, two months without eating, eight months of ileostomy, and five hospital stays.” Sorrento Hotel, 900 Madison St., 622-6400, http://hotelsorrento.com, 7 pm, free, 21+.

Wednesday, February 14: Winterfolk Reading

Winterfolk is a young adult novel about a teenager “who has lived with her father in Seattle’s infamous homeless encampment for five years.” After sweeps of the encampment begin, she winds up fleeing into Seattle, which is not a welcoming city for folks like her. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com, 7 pm, free.

Thursday, February 15 I Gave This Dream to a Color Reading

C. C. Hannett is a pen name for a local poet. His latest book, published by the excellent Spuyten Duyvil press, is titled I Gave This Dream To A Color. His next book, Triune, will be published this summer. He’ll be joined by local writers Amber Nelson, Bryan Edenfield and Julianna Buckmiller. Couth Buzzard Books, 8310 Greenwood Ave N., http://buonobuzzard.com, free, 7:30 pm.

Friday, February 16: Bushwick Book Club

See our Event of the Week column for more details. Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, 104 17th Ave S, 7:30 pm, $10.

Saturday, February 17: Racism, Vulgar and Polite Reading

Racism, Vulgar and Polite: The Discriminatory Inclusion of Koreans as Japanese and Japanese as Americans during WWII tells the story of racism in the time of war. World War II created a tectonic change in the way people of Japanese and Korean descent were treated by those around them. Pigott Auditorium, Seattle University Campus Walk, 652-4255, http://townhallseattle.org, 6 pm, $5.

Sunday, February 18: Fran Lebowitz

I’ll be interviewing Fran Lebowitz, one of the most brilliant wits of our time, onstage at Benaroya Hall. No pressure or anything. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 215-4747, http://seattlesymphony.org, 7 pm, $50.

Monday, February 5: Thrilling Tales

The downtown Seattle Public Library hosts a lunch-period storytime for adults two times a month. It’s a chance for grownups to leave the office, relax and hand over their attention to someone else for a while. Todays’ short story selection was written by San Diego sci-fi author Greg Bear. It’s titled "Blood Music,” and it’s one of his beset-known works. Seattle Public Library, 1000 4th Ave., 386-4636, http://spl.org, 12:05 pm, free.

Tuesday, February 6: The Hummingbirds Launch Party

Seattle author Ross McMeekin was until this month best-known for editing the literary magazine Spartan. But tonight, McMeekin is launching his debut novel in a book party at the Sorrento Hotel. The Hummingbirds is about the hollow truths at the hearth of the glamorous lie that is Hollywood. Sorrento Hotel, 900 Madison St., 622-6400, http://hotelsorrento.com, 7 pm, free, 21+.

Wednesday, February 7: Seattle Fiction Federation

The ongoing reading series hosts Seattle author Richard Chiem, who recently announced he’s got a novel on the way; novelist Jennifer Haupt, who has a debut novel coming out in a couple months; and short story author Andrea Eberly. Hugo House, 1021 Columbia St., 322-7030, http://hugohouse.org., 7 pm, free.

Thursday, February 8: Baby Boomer

See our Event of the Week Column for more details. The Factory, 1216 10th Ave, 6 pm, free.

Also Thursday, February 8: It’s About Time Reading Series

Seattle’s longest-running reading series strikes again with readings from Annie Nguyen, Montreux Rotholtz, and Jenny Hayes. Tonight’s reading features a craft talk from Andrea Lewis. Ballard Library, 5614 22nd Ave NW, 684-4089, spl.org, 6 pm, free.

Friday, February 9: Two poets

Open Books welcomes poets Natalie Graham and Brittany Perham, both of whom are launching new collections. Open Books, 2414 N. 45th St, 633-0811, http://openpoetrybooks.com, 7 pm, free.

Saturday, February 10: I Wrote This Book Because I Love You Reading

Cartoonist Tim Kreider comes to town with a new book of essays about topics including “a trip with a close friend aboard a circus train bound for Mexico, a whirlwind affair with a sex worker, and the surreal experience of falling in love with a married friend in the weeks following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.” Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com, 7 pm, free.

Sunday, February 11: This Is the Place Reading

This Is the Place is an anthology edited in part by local author Margot Kahn. It’s about women and motherhood and home. She’ll be joined by some contributors to the anthology. Montlake Library, 2401 24th Avenue E, 684-4720, spl.org, 2 pm, free.

Monday, January 29: It’s Even Worse Than You Think Reading

The title of David Cay Johnston’s latest book, It's Even Worse Than You Think: What the Trump Administration Is Doing to America, about says it all. Johnston has already written one very good book about Trump, so this book is likely follow in that pattern: not many writers out there have genuine insight into Trump’s actions and management style, but Johnston does.

• The Summit, 420 E. Pike St., 652-4255, http://townhallseattle.org, 7:30 pm, $5, 21+.*

Tuesday, January 30: Bothell Reading

Bothell is a lovely town, with a gorgeous river park and a very nice McMenamin’s movie theater and a charming small bookstore owned by an enthusiastic lifelong bookseller. This reading celebrates the launch of a book about the origins of Bothell, from a logging hub to a farming community to a thriving little burg of some 43 thousand souls. Third Place Books Lake Forest Park, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 366-3333, http://thirdplacebooks.com, 7 pm, free.

Wednesday, January 31: Passing the Torch

See our Event of the Week column for more details. Seattle Public Library, 1000 4th Ave., 386-4636, http://spl.org, 7 pm, free.

Thursday, February 1: Storytelling Strategies for Dismantling Racism

Local writers help storytellers understand how racism affects their work and how they can help use storytelling to overcome those insidious systemic forces of racism in the world around us. Previous editions of this class received high marks and raves from participants. Centilia Cutural Center, 1660 S Roberta Maestas Festival St, 9:30 am, https://ssdrwinter.paperform.co/ $175.

Friday, February 2: Nasty Women Poets Reading

Seattle area poets including Kelli Russell Agodon, Jennifer Bullis, Susan J. Erickson, Susan Rich, Martha Silano, Judith Skillman and Carolyne Wright read their contributions to the new anthology Nasty Women Poets: An Unapologetic Anthology of Subversive Verse. Poetry won’t save us from Donald Trump, but poetry can help us understand the price of what we’ve lost and give us the strength to fight and win it back. Open Books, 2414 N. 45th St, 633-0811, http://openpoetrybooks.com, 7 pm, free.

Saturday, February 3: Cascade Writer’s Event

Seattle-area writers Annie Bellet, Dongwon Song and Cat Rambo host a daylong event to help writers figure out how to compose, edit, and publish a long manuscript. This is one for aspiring authors who want to understand every aspect of the publication process, from pitching to editing to marketing. Queen Anne Baptist Church, 2011 1st Ave N, http://cascadewriters.com/, 10 am, $135.

Sunday, February 4: Outsider Fashion Week

Fremont’s new-ish comics shop Outsider Comics and Geek Boutique is celebrating new shipments of spring fashion with personal shopper experiences all week. If you’re interested in trying on some of their new geeky outfits with direct one-on-one attention, you should make an appointment for any time this week. Outsider Comics and Geek Boutique, 223 N. 36th St, 535-8886, http://outsidercomics.com/, 10 am, free.

Monday, January 22: The German Art of Raising Self-Reliant Children Reading

Apparently, German parents let their kids do anything up to and including running around cities unsupervised and playing with knives. So why isn’t a wave of juvenile delinquency wracking Germany? Apparently, it comes down to selbstandigkeit, which translates as “self-reliance.” Parents who are interested will find a lot to think about here. Westside School, 10404 34th Ave SW, 7 pm, $5.

Tuesday, January 23: This Is How It Always Is Reading

See our Event of the Week column for more details. Seattle Public Library, 1000 4th Ave., 386-4636, http://spl.org, 7 pm, free.

Wednesday, January 24: Shari'ah on Trial Reading

Evergreen State College, professor Sarah Eltantawi debuts her latest work of Islamic studies, Shari'ah on Trial: Northern Nigeria's Islamic Revolution. If you’re among the majority of Americans who know little about Islam and/or Africa, you should attend this reading. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com, 7 pm, free.

Thursday, January 25: The Wizard and the Prophet Reading

Feuding 20th century scientists Norman Borlaug and William Vogt sound like a pair of genuinely fascinating men. Charles Mann’s new book details the ongoing battle between the two scientists, and how this schism is affecting our understanding of the world even today. Pigott Auditorium, Seattle University Campus Walk, 652-4255, http://townhallseattle.org, 6 pm, $5.

Friday, January 26: Best New Poets Reading

Join the best poetry bookstore in town as they celebrate the 2017 Best New Poets anthology with local contributors including Sarah Bates, Christina Im, Erin L. McCoy, Alyssa Ogi, Caitlin Roach, and Amanda Turner. New poets should be everyone’s business. Open Books, 2414 N. 45th St, 633-0811, http://openpoetrybooks.com, 7 pm, free.

Saturday, January 27: Yellow Kayak Reading

Nina Laden reads from her latest children’s book about friendship, adventure, and the importance of bravery. The illustrations by Melissa Castrillon are incredibly gorgeous. Third Place Books Ravenna, 6504 20th Ave NE, 525-2347 http://thirdplacebooks.com, 11 am, free.

Sunday, January 28: Seattle Writes: Residencies Revealed

Representatives from five writing residencies will talk about what they’re looking for in writers and which residency is right for you. Bring all your residency-related questions to this one. Maybe this will be the year you score a fabulous will share information on what they offer writers as well as tips for the application process. Bring your questions and don't let go of that dream of finding uninterrupted time to write.

Seattle Public Library, 1000 4th Ave., 386-4636, http://spl.org, 2 pm, free.

Monday, January 15: The Silence of Our Friends Reading

See our Event of the Week column for more details. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com, 7 pm, free.

Tuesday, January 16: Chain Letter S2 V1: A New Chain

The second year of the popular Chain Letter reading series begins in earnest on Capitol Hill. Tonight’s readers are next month’s event curators. Here are a whole bunch of exciting new names: C.C. Hannett, Ray Stoeve, Brilligh, and J’owl. I don’t know any of these poets, but I’m excited to learn more. Vermillion Art Gallery and Bar, 1508 11th Ave., 709-9797, http://vermillionseattle.com, 7 pm, free.

Wednesday, January 17: Red Clocks Reading

Elliott Bay 7 pm Portland author Leni Zumas’s second novel centers around five women in a post-apocalyptic Pacific Northwest where abortion has been made illegal again. For Mike Pence, this is a happy ending; for the rest of us, it’s a nightmare. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com, 7 pm, free.

Thursday, January 18: Her Body and Other Parties Reading

Author Carmen Maria Machado reads from her celebrated debut collection of short stories, Her Body and Other Parties. It’s a book that crosses lines from sci-fi to horror to thriller to odd Law & Order: Special Victims Unit parodies. Seattle Public Library, 1000 4th Ave., 386-4636, http://spl.org, 7 pm, free.

Friday, January 19: Iron Gold Reading

Science fiction author Pierce Brown debuts a new phase of his Red Rising sci-fi series. A war hero finds new relevance in Iron Gold. Tonight, Brown will be in conversation with Seattle-area fantasy author Terry Brooks. University Temple, 1415 NE 43rd St,634-3400, http://www2.bookstore.washington.edu/, 7 pm, $28.

Saturday, January 20: Killing Marias Reading

Seattle’s first Civic Poet, Claudia Castro Luna, is now on her way to becoming Washington State’s next Poet Laureate. Tonight, she reads from her latest collection, which was published late last year by the amazing Two Sylvias press. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com, 7 pm, free.

Sunday, January 21: Jack Straw Winter Showcase

Jack Straw helps writers and performers better convey their work in live and recorded settings. Tonight, Jack Straw artists including Leilani Lewis, Tai Shan, and ilvs strauss will perform new works intended to showcase the breadth of Jack Straw’s portfolio. Jack Straw Gallery, 4261 Roosevelt Way N.E., 634-0919, http://jackstraw.org, 2 pm, free.

Monday, January 1: Third Place Books Sale

Happy New Year! Every book at every Third Place Books location is officially 20% off today. I can't think of a better way to kick off a new year than coming home with a big stack of books. Can you?

Tuesday, January 2: Wayward Readers Society

This fall, Seattle author and comics writer G. Willow Wilson announced that she’s publishing her second novel, The Bird King, with Grove Atlantic. This book club is a perfect excuse to go back and reinvestigate Wilson’s fantastic first novel, Alif the Unseen. Alif is about a hacker in a security state, and it combines religion and tech and adventure into a thrilling page-turner of a book. Go geek out over it with some potential friends. University Book Store Mill Creek, 15311 Main St., 425-385-3530. http://ubookstore.com, 6:30 pm, free.

Wednesday, January 3: Reading Through It

See our Event of the Week column for more details. Third Place Books Seward Park, 5041 Wilson Ave S, 474-2200, http://thirdplacebooks.com, 7 pm, free.

Thursday, January 4: Answer(Me) Reading

After publishing two books last summer, Seattle Civic Poet Anastacia-Renee debuts her newest book tonight. It’s called Answer(Me), and like most of her work, it’s raw and honest and confrontational and gorgeous. Third Place Books Seward Park, 5041 Wilson Ave S, 474-2200, http://thirdplacebooks.com, 7 pm, free.

Friday, January 5: David Sedaris Workshop Performances

From this Friday to Thursday of next week, Sedaris is reading eight times at Broadway Performance Hall. He’s workshopping his next collection, Calypso, which comes out in summer of this year, and he’s counting on Seattle to help him make it perfect. Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, 934-3052, 7 pm, $50.

Saturday, January 6: You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone Reading

In Seattle author Rachel Lynn Solomon’s new young adult novel, a pair of identical twins take a test to find out if they have Huntington’s disease. One set of results comes back negative. The other comes back positive. Will this prognosis tear them apart? University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., 634-3400, http://www2.bookstore.washington.edu/, 3 pm, free.

Sunday, January 7: Snow Sisters! Reading

Kerri Kokias’s new picture book for kids is about sisterhood and snow days. “Just like snowflakes, no two sisters are alike,” promotional copy tells us. The book follows each sister individually on their winter adventures, and then brings them together in the end. University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., 634-3400, http://www2.bookstore.washington.edu/, 2 pm, free.

Monday, December 25:

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good et cetera, et cetera.

Tuesday, December 26: Family Story Time

Ballard’s branch of the Seattle Public Library welcomes all the families who are totally sick of each other after spending the last two days together to join them for “an evening of stories, songs, and a simple craft.” Seattle Public Library, Ballard Branch, 5614 22nd Ave NW, 684-4089, http://spl.org, 6:45 pm, free.

Wednesday, December 27: Garth Stein’s Book Club

See our Event of the Week column for more details. Third Place Books Seward Park, 5041 Wilson Ave S, 474-2200, http://thirdplacebooks.com, 7 pm, free.

Thursday, December 28: Winter Craft Extravaganza

The Queen Anne branch of Seattle Public Library invites families to join them for “books, snacks, and wintry crafts! All ages welcome!” Seattle Public Library, Queen Anne Branch, 400 W Garfield St, http://spl.org, 2 pm, free.

Friday, December 29: Afternoon Book Group

If you’re looking for some purpose for your post-Christmas week, maybe you should try joining this free book club at the Greenwood branch of the library. They’re going to be discussing the brilliant novel Homegoing, by Yaa Gyasi. There’s a lot to discuss in this book — and it’s relatively thin, too, meaning you’ll be able to read it in the days leading up to the book club. Go meet some folks who love books. Seattle Public Library, Greenwood Branch, 8016 Greenwood Ave N, http://spl.org, 2 pm, free.

Monday, December 18: Chlorophyll Print Exhibition

See our event of the week for more details. Redmond Senior Center, 8703 160th Ave NE., 425-556-2314, http://www.redmond.gov/cms/One.aspx?portalId=169&pageId=742, 8:30 am – 9 pm, free.

Tuesday, December 19: Computer Science Book Club

Ada’s Technical Books hosts a monthly Computer Science Book Club intended for people with and without computer science experience. This month’s selection is How to Do Things with Videogames, a book about “the limitless possibilities offered by [videogames’] ability to create complex simulated realities.” Sounds like this could be a good discussion about the theory and possibilities of videogames. Ada’s Technical Books, 425 15th Ave, 322-1058, http://seattletechnicalbooks.com, 7 pm, free.

Wednesday, December 20: Storytime with Santa

Bring your kid and your best camera for this combination storytime/photo opportunity at the Mill Creek branch of University Book Store. Santa Claus will be in attendance. Yes, the real one. University Book Store Mill Creek, 15311 Main St., 425-385-3530. http://ubookstore.com, 3 pm, free.

Thursday, December 21: Literary Translator Feedback Forum

The Northwest Translators and Interpreters Society continues its partnership with the downtown private library Folio with a Feedback forum. According to press materials, “Translators working on poetry or prose from three different languages will share their works in progress and accept helpful feedback and questions from attendees.” If you, like me, are fascinated by the fact that it’s virtually impossible to create anything resembling a truly 100% accurate translation, you’ll likely find a lot to think about at this event. Folio: The Seattle Athenaem, 324 Marion St., 402-4612, http://folioseattle.org, 5:30 pm, $5.

Friday, December 22: Inside/Out Reading

This is a launch party for podcaster Joe Osmundson’s latest poetic memoir, Inside/Out. Garth Greenwell says the book “explores how vulnerability, need, and shame echo across a life, and meditates on the complexities, both emotional and ethical, of writing that life.” University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., 634-3400, http://www2.bookstore.washington.edu/, 7 pm, free.

Saturday, December 23: Storytime for Kids

If you’re looking for ways to entertain your kids now that they’re out of school on winter break, now’s one of your last chances to attend a storytime before Christmas happens. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com, 11 am, free.

Sunday, December 24:

It’s Christmas Eve. Do something nice for yourself.

Monday, December 11: African-American Writers' Alliance

Members of the “diverse and dynamic collective of Seattle-area writers of African descent” present new work at this reading. This is a great opportunity to celebrate Seattle-area writers of color and to see what the African-American Writers’ Alliance is up to these days. Third Place Books Seward Park, 5041 Wilson Ave S, 474-2200, http://thirdplacebooks.com, 7 pm, free.

Tuesday, December 12: Navigating Seattle Transit without Losing Your Mind

Town Hall teams up with the Seattle Department of Transportation and TransitCenter to discuss why our traffic is so fucked and how you can help yourself slightly un-fuck the traffic. Hopefully, they’ll also discuss ways to leave your car and get more transit to your neck of the woods in a shorter timeframe, because that’s the only way we’re really going to make a difference around here. Seattle Art Museum, 1300 First Ave, http://townhallseattle.org, 7 pm, free.

Wednesday, December 13: Puzzle Club

The good people at Ada’s Technical Books host a monthly club for local logic puzzle fans. On the website, they call the Puzzle Club “a startlingly kind and clever group of people” who join together for “collaborative puzzle solving.” Ada’s Technical Books, 425 15th Ave, 322-1058, http://seattletechnicalbooks.com, 7 pm, free.

Thursday, December 14: *theMystery.doc Reading

See our Literary Event of the Week column for more details. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com, 7 pm, free.

Friday, December 15: Four Seattle Poets

The last author reading at Elliott Bay Book Company for the year of 2017 is a stellar lineup of debut poets. You definitely know Jane Wong, whose Overpour was the first big debut of the year. And frequent readers of the site also know EJ Koh, whose A Lesser Love is a genius collection that spans love and war. Mita Mahato is a paper-cut cartoonist whose first collection, In Between, is a milestone in the small-but-growing field of poetry comics. You might not know Montreux Rotholtz or her debut collection, Unmark, and that’s okay. Every great reading has some element of discovery to it, doesn’t it? Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com, 7 pm, free.

Saturday, December 16: Counting Time Like People Count Stars Launch Party

This event is a documentary and book launch highlighting the poetry of the girls who live at Our Little Roses Orphanage in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Local authors including Luis Rodrigeuz, Lydia Valentine, Tod Marshall, Claudia Castro Luna, and more will read poems from the book. St. Peter’s Episcopal Parish, 1610 S King St, http://stpeterseattle.org, 4 pm, free.

Sunday, December 17: Story Time for Grown Ups

Seattle Public Library celebrity librarian David Wright reads two Christmas-themed stories for adults: John Cheever’s “Christmas is a Sad Season for the Poor,” and Donald Westlake’s creepy “Nackles.” Third Place Books Seward Park, 5041 Wilson Ave S, 474-2200, http://thirdplacebooks.com, 7 pm, free.

Monday, December 4: Easy Speak Rainier Beach

Easy Speak is a series of citywide open mic nights with featured readings. Tonight, they debut the newest chapter of the ever-growing Easy Speak empire on the south side of town — Easy Speak Rainier Beach! The first reader is Seattle Civic Poet Anastacia-Renee, who’ll read for about twenty minutes. This open mic comes with music from the Jim O'Halloran Trio and “whatever noise you can fit into five minutes.” Jude's Old Town, 9252 57th Ave S, http://easyspeakseattle.com/, 7:30 pm, free.

Tuesday, December 5: Daughters of the Air Reading

Anca Szilágyi’s debut novel is finally here! Szilágyi has been reading and contributing pieces to the Seattle literary scene for years now, and we’ve got great expectations for her first novel. (How is it? We’ll be running a review soon but — in short — it’s very good!) Tonight, join Szilágyi as she launches her book into the world from the swanky Fireside Room of the Sorrento with the help of her frequent literary partner in crime, Corinne Manning. Sorrento Hotel, 900 Madison St., http://hotelsorrento.com, 7 pm, free, 21+.

Wednesday, December 6: Reading Through It

Every month, the Seattle Review of Books and the Seattle Weekly gets together to host a current-events book club at Third Place Books in Seward Park. December’s selection, A Tale of Two Americas, is a strange duck: it’s an anthology of essays, fiction, and poetry edited by literary tastemaker John Freeman. The book covers just about every kind of topic imaginable in post-Trump America, so tonight’s conversation will likely be a catch-as-catch-can potluck of civic nightmares, spotted with occasional moments of hope. Third Place Books Seward Park, 5041 Wilson Ave S, 474-2200, http://thirdplacebooks.com, 7 pm, free.

Thursday, December 7: Poetry Across the Nations: An Indigenous Reading

See our Event of the Week column for more details. Fred Wildlife Refuge, 128 Belmont Ave. E., 322-7030. http://www.hugohouse.org, 7:30 pm, free.

Friday, December 8: Khizr Khan

In an election cycle fraught with shameful behavior, Khizr Khan stood out as a dignified figure — a man who understood the difference between right and wrong and wasn’t afraid to announce what side he was on. Khan’s new book, An American Family, details the many sacrifices his family has made for the sake of America. He’ll appear in conversation tonight with Crosscut’s Managing Editor, Florangela Davila. And just in case you needed a reminder that the world is a political dumpster fire, the listing for this reading warns, “For your safety and the safety of others, all guests attending this event are subject to a courteous screening and bag check before entry into the event.” Boo for all the assholes who threaten brave people with violence. Seattle University School of Law, 901 12th Ave, 7 pm, free.

Saturday, December 9: Fantagraphics Bookstore Turns 11!

Georgetown’s own mecca of comic-book greatness is officially a tween today! To celebrate the first year of the second decade of the Fantagraphics Bookstore dynasty, Fantagraphics has pulled in some fine speakers: Dame Darcy will play music and read from upcoming work. Charles Forsman will preview some of the Netflix series he’s got coming out. And Frank Young will introduce his new book about famous American cartoonist Art Young. Plus: art, refreshments, and more cartoonists than you can shake a stick at, if you’re in the habit of shaking sticks at cartoonists, you big weirdo. Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery, 925 E. Pike St., 658-0110, http://fantagraphics.com/flog/bookstore, 6 pm, free.

Sunday, December 10: Till Chapbook Release and Holiday Party

Mount Analogue hosts the debut of this year’s edition of Smoke Farm residency’s chapbook, Till, with readings from contributors including Jennifer Brennock, Letitia Cane, Drew Dillhunt, Katie Ellison, Breona Gutschmidt, Nicole Hardina, Mark Lammers, Molly Thornton, and John Whittier Treat. The Seattle literary community doesn’t have an office Christmas party, but if it did, it would look a lot like this. X Y Z Gallery, 300 S Washington St, http://www.mount-analogue.com/ , 6 pm, free..

Monday, November 27th: Obama: an Intimate Portrait Reading

Pete Souza was President Barack Obama’s official photographer, and the photos that he’s captured in that role have defined America’s relationship to Obama. These are photos that will last forever, long after the horrendous current political moment has passed. And Souza has been trolling Donald Trump quite effectively on social media in the last few months by posting photographic proof of Obama’s competence whenever Trump messes something up. It’s a cathartic, moving experience. Moore Theatre, 1932 2nd Ave, https://www.stgpresents.org, 7 pm, $54.50.

Tuesday, November 28th: Loud Mouth Lit with Lindy West

Playwright and memoirist Paul Mullin's reading series continues a string of knockout lineups with the indomitable Lindy West. Mullin will be reading a chapter from an upcoming novel. West will be reading, and I quote from the press release, "whatever she goddamn pleases." (But seriously: West's working on her second book, so you might just get a special preview if you come out tonight.) Saint Andrew’s Bar and Grill, 7406 Aurora Ave N., 523-1193. http://www.standrewsbarandgrill.com/, 8 pm, free, 21+.

Wednesday, November 29th: The Sentient Machine Reading

Amir Husain’s first book has the oh-so-humble name of The Sentient Machine: The Coming Age of Artificial Intelligence. Is it true that AI will be the death of us all? Is it possible that the AI revolution that so many have predicted simply…won’t happen? What the hell should we do about it? Husain will provide the answers tonight. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com, 7 pm, free.

Thursday, November 30th: Artemis Reading

See our Event of the Week column for more details.

Third Place Books Lake Forest Park, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 366-3333, http://thirdplacebooks.com, 7 pm, $30.

Saturday, December 2nd: Healing Histories

Everfair novelist, much-anthologized short story author, and Seattle Review of Books columnist Nisi Shawl teaches a free writing class in the Green Lake branch of the Seattle Public Library. What the hell could you possibly have to lose? For the low, low price of free, Shawl will almost certainly leave you a better author than you were when you walked into the room. Seattle Public Library, Green Lake Branch, 7364 East Green Lake Dr N, http://spl.org, 2 pm, free.

Sunday, December 3rd: Seattle's Cold Moon: A Reading of Poetry and Rituals

A note from Seattle poet and event organizer Greg Bem reads:

The last full moon of the 2017 calendar year falls on Sunday, December 3rd. It is known as the ‘cold moon.’ We will honor this astral event with an evening of lunar readings. Location details to be announced. Reader list to be announced. The event will be free and open to the public, so please share widely.

Readers and "ritualists" include Abi Pollokoff, Elizabeth Cooperman, Eric Westerlind, Evan Peterson, Jason Kirk, Justine Chan, Lydia Swartz, Matt Trease, Paul Nelson, Rachel Nelson, and Thomas Walton.

Pritchard Island Beach, 8400 55th Ave S, 7 pm, free.

Monday, November 20th: Columbia/Hillman Community Check-In

As part of their ongoing Inside/Out program, Town Hall asks the Columbia/Hillman City communities what they can be doing to assist inclusivity and togetherness in their events. This is worth attending even if you’re unfamiliar with Town Hall. This part of town has been changing for years, and it needs to reassess its cultural needs and desires before it moves into the future. Rainier Arts Center, 3515 S Alaska St, http://townhallseattle.org, 7 pm, free.

Tuesday, November 21st: The River Bank Reading

See our Event of the Week column for more details. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com, 7 pm, free.

Wednesday, November 22nd: Duterte’s War Reading

Vincente Rafael, a UW professor specializing in history and Southeast Asia studies, will read from his latest book, Duterte’s War: Discussing the Current Crisis in the Philippines and Beyond. Tonight, he’s joined by Cindy Domingo and Velma Veloria in a wide-ranging discussion about the Philippines and the repercussions America might face if we continue to ignore the country. Third Place Books Seward Park, 5041 Wilson Ave S, 474-2200, http://thirdplacebooks.com, 7 pm, free.

Thursday, November 23rd: It’s Thanksgiving!

For god’s sake, go and eat a whole something or other, okay? And remember to be thankful. I know it's hard this year, but there are still some things that deserve your gratitude.

Friday, November 24th: Shabazz Palaces with Special Guest Gillian Gaar

Seattle hip-hop geniuses Shabazz Palaces are branching out and becoming multimedia moguls. Tonight, they debut their first-ever comic book, Quazarz vs. The Jealous Machines, with a signing and DJ set in Georgetown's fabulous Fantagraphics Bookstore and Gallery. Expect some neat things to happen when comics and hip-hop combine. Along for the ride is Seattle-area music writer Gillian Gaar, who will be signing her new book Hendrix: The Illustrated Story. Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery, 925 E. Pike St., 658-0110, http://fantagraphics.com/flog/bookstore, 6 pm, free.

Saturday, November 25th: Gobble Up!

Urban Craft Uprising — which happens in Seattle on December 2nd and 3rd this year — is warming up at Bellevue’s Meydenbauer Center this year with a food-themed event called Gobble Up! It features “some of the best artisanal and craft food makers in the Pacific Northwest,” including a number of local cookbook authors writing about food that can only be found in the Northwest. Meydenbauer Center, 11100 NE 6th St, 10 am, free.

Monday, November 13th: Jade City and This Mortal Coil Reading

Portland sci-fi author (and Seattle Review of Books contributor) Fonda Lee comes to town with her newest novel, Jade City. It's about an island that has been protected by magic-users for generations. Lee brings her fellow Portland author Emily Suvada along with her; her latest is about a girl on a quest in a future where genetic engineering has become commonplace. University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., 634-3400, http://www2.bookstore.washington.edu/, 7 pm, free.

Tuesday, November 14th: Three Sci-Fi Authors

Tonight, the local science fiction community — more specifically, the local branch of the SFWA, or Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America—get together with a giant reading from three up-and-coming members of the local scene: Louise Marley, David Levine and Tina Connoly. You should go and find a new favorite. Also, maybe you should ask where the hell the extra “F” has gone in the “SFWA” acronym. Wilde Rover Irish Pub & Restaurant, 111 Central Way, Kirkland, http://www2.bookstore.washington.edu/, 7 pm, free, 21+.

Wednesday, November 15th: Pie and Whiskey Reading

See our Event of the Week column for more details. Washington Hall, 153 14th Ave, http://washingtonhall.org, 7 pm, $10, 21+.

Thursday, November 16th: Imaginary Vessels & Banana Palace Reading

Paisley Rekdal was born and raised in Seattle. She returns to town tonight with Imaginary Vessels, a book of poetry about war and the cost of war and what is lost to war. Rekdal is joined with her fellow Copper Canyon poet, Dana Levin. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com, 7 pm, free.

Friday, November 17th: Technically Wrong Reading

Subtitled Sexist Apps, Biased Algorithms, and Toxic Tech, Technically Wrong is Sara Wachter-Boettcher’s attempt to explain why the male bias in the tech industry is creating a culture that places the needs and interests of men light years ahead of those of women or nonbinary individuals. Impact Hub, 220 2nd Ave S, https://impacthubseattle.com, 7:30 pm, $5.

Saturday, November 18th: This Is the Place Reading

Get a load of this lineup of Seattle authors: Claudia Castro Luna, Tara Conklin, Elisabeth Eaves, Kate Lebo, Jane Wong, and Maya Zeller. They’re all joining Seattle writer Margot Case for a celebration of the new anthology she edited, This is the Place: Women Writing About Home. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com, 7 pm, free.

Sunday, November 19th: An Evening with David Sedaris

Okay, look: David Sedaris tickets aren’t cheap, it’s true. They’re even less cheap now that most of the cheap seats have sold out for his Benaroya Hall appearance. But Sedaris is one of the only authors in the world who is continually worth it. He’s funny, he’s quick-witted, he loves performing his work for a room full of humans. You won’t regret the investment into this one. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 215-4747, http://seattlesymphony.org, 8 pm, $108.

(Note: This calendar originally had a Seattle Arts and Lectures event scheduled for Friday. That event has been moved to Janauary. I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.)

Wednesday, October 25: Where the Past Begins Reading

Back when she was touring for the very first time, The Joy Luck Club author Amy Tan was heartened to receive a huge audience at her Elliott Bay Book Company reading in Seattle. She’s packed them in ever since, and even though she’s a bestselling author dozens of times over now, Seattle still holds a special place in her heart. Tonight, she debuts her memoir. Seattle Public Library, 1000 4th Ave., 386-4636, http://spl.org. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.

Thursday, October 26: Boyfriends Launch Party

See our Literary Event of the Week column for more details.

Vermillion Art Gallery and Bar, 1508 11th Ave., 709-9797, http://vermillionseattle.com. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.

Friday, October 27th: Juan González with David Rolf and Frank Blethen

NPR journalist González comes to town with his new book Reclaiming Gotham: Bill de Blasio and the Movement to End America's Tale of Two Cities. He's joined onstage by the publisher of the Seattle Times and one of the leaders of Seattle's Fight for $15 movement. This should be a great event. Impact Hub, 220 2nd Ave S, https://impacthubseattle.com, 7:30 pm, $5

Saturday, October 28: Pashmina Reading

This afternoon, Nidhi Chanani reads from her comic for young readers that tells the story of a young woman who wonders about her parents’ old lives in India. With the help of a magic pashmina, young Priyanka Das travels to an idealized version of India. Third Place Books Seward Park, 5041 Wilson Ave S, 474-2200, http://thirdplacebooks.com. Free. All ages. 7 p.m.

Sunday, October 29: Smile Reading

Beloved novelist Roddy Doyle (author of The Commitments and the fabulously titled Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha) returns to town with a new novel that’s all about memory. One day, an old Irish man who’s trapped in his routines is approached by a man from his past — a man he has no memory of meeting. Is he starting to lose his mind? Pigott Auditorium, Seattle University Campus Walk, 652-4255, http://townhallseattle.org. $5. All ages. 6 p.m.