A note on pirates: As you may have learned on television, they often have peg legs (although false peg legs, concealing perfectly good flesh, have been reported). They escape the currents of history like so much sea foam, glittering and fresh. Some suggest that all pirates are pantheists, and indeed, one can almost imagine Spinoza straddling the seas, cutlass held aloft.

A note on Chinese scrolls: By a gentle shuffling motion the paper is made to continuously pass by the eye, allowing it in turn a relaxed stasis. Not only the text but also subtle shifts in tone and sheen are therefore perceived with a seamless and total ease. How different books might be if they came in scrolls, replacing the heroism of page turning (and occasional paper cutting) with the smooth flux of an evening stroll! Enormous chambers would have to be built, their ceilings vaulting into the sky.

BEST BISEXUAL EROTICA 2

Bill Brent, Lydia Swartz, Lori Selke, Margaret Weller, and Darklady will be on hand to read selections from their depraved new anthology. Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 3 pm, free. Also reading Mon July 8 at Beyond the Closet Books, 518 E Pike St, 322-4609, 7:30 pm, free.

G. M. FORD

Black River is G. M. ("General Motors") Ford's second mystery featuring local writer Frank Corso, first introduced in Ford's novel Fury. Seattle Mystery Bookshop, 117 Cherry St, 587-5737, 12 noon, free. Also reading Mon July 8 at Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 366-3333, 7 pm, free.

A note on banners: In winter, banners may be hung by politicians and others to enrich the bareness of the trees, thereby helping us to forget the cold gray of sky and streets. Children will love them if they stream from the floats of clownish parades, and soldiers may march behind them to the sound of drums.

KAREN BLAIR, GAIL NOMURA, & DORIS PIEROTH

Blair and her gang are here to read from Women in Pacific Northwest History, an anthology originally published in 1989. Now it's been updated to account for the continued existence of women in the '90s. Third Place Books, 366-3333, 7 pm, free.

L. A. HEBERLEIN

This afternoon, Heberlein will talk about his book, The Rough Guide to Internet Radio. He has also promised to provide us with "full explanations of how to surf, download, install, and configure." University Bookstore, 4326 University Way, 634-3400, 2 pm, free.

TUESDAY 7/9

PAT CADIGAN

Cadigan is the author of several science-fiction novels. Tonight, however, she will be reading from a work-in-progress. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, $4.

JUDY HAYDEN

Hayden is the author of Oaxaca: The Spirit of Mexico. Through a slideshow and talk she will draw us into this pristine locale, where "dialects, folk arts, and customs" thrive, unencumbered by the likes of cellular phones, sexual prosthetics, and avant-garde filmmaking. Third Place Books, 366-3333, 7:30 pm, free.

TRISHA THOMAS

This evening Thomas will read from Roadrunner, her new novel. University Bookstore, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.

* PAUL COLLINS

Collins' book is called Banvard's Folly: Thirteen Tales of People Who Didn't Change the World. It's about people (the inventor of the pneumatic train, a proponent of the healing properties of blue light) whose ideas just didn't quite make it; now we can laugh at their folly. University Bookstore, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.

KEN CHARNEY

It's summer, and that means bold flavors, zesty spices, and frequent inebriation. Charney and his book (The Bold Vegetarian Chef) are here to help with the first two items of this magic trio; number three is up to you. Third Place Books, 366-3333, 6:30 pm, free.

MICHELE KORT

More bold flavors and zesty spices going on here: Kort will read from Soul Picnic: The Music and Passion of Laura Nyro. But why can't I find Charles Mudede's whiskey? He always keeps it in this office somewhere.... Martin-Zambito Fine Art Gallery, 721 E Pike St, 726-9509, 7 pm, free.

DIANE MOTT DAVIDSON

Ms. Davidson will read from Chopping Spree, her tenth culinary mystery. Previous titles include: The Main Corpse, The Cereal Murders, and (my favorite) Sticks & Scones. Seattle Mystery Bookshop, 12 noon, free.

POETRY/OPEN MICS

* SWIRLS BEFORE PINE--A weekly forum for writers by writers. Mondays at 7 pm. Coffee Messiah, 1554 E Olive Way, 861-8233, free.

CATHARTICISM--Poetry, music, performance, and chaos, with host Ricki Rebel. Wednesdays at 8 pm. Coffee Messiah, 861-8233, free.

MIDNIGHT CABARET--Stories, song, and performance with host Sylvia O'Stayformore. Saturdays at midnight. Coffee Messiah, 861-8233, free.

SEATTLE POETRY SLAM--Open mic, feature, and slam with Karen Finneyfrock. Wednesdays at 8 pm. Sit & Spin, 2219 Fourth Ave, 441-9484, $4.

JET CITY POETRY SLAM--New venue combining poetry, performance, and the cruel dynamics of reality TV. Tuesdays at 8 pm. Central Saloon, 207 First Ave S, 427-2300, $3.

SCRATCHING POST--Poetry open mic, all ages. Thursdays at 8 pm, sign up at 7:30 pm. Mr. Spot's Chai House, 5463 Leary Ave NW, 297-2424, free.

OUT OF TUNE--Poetry and music free-for-all hosted by Jon Hogan and Jill Charles. Thursdays at 8:30 pm, sign up at 8 pm. The 15th, 7515 15th Ave NW, 706-4973, free.

POETSWEST--Featured poets are Amazon Jan, Charlotte Houck, and Herbert Sundvall. Sun July 7 at 7 pm. Wit's End Books & Tea, 770 N 34th St., 547-2330, free.