KATHERINE BECK
Beck reads from and discusses Opal: A Life of Enchantment, Mystery, and Madness, about the life of Opal Whiteley. University Bookstore, 4326 University Way NE, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.
DAVID GUTERSON
The author of Snow Falling on Cedars signs his new novel, Our Lady of the Forest. Kane Hall 110, University of Washington, 634-3400, 7 pm, free, tickets required.
WALT WILLIAMS
Reaganism and the Death of Representative Democracy reiterates what a fuck-up Reagan was. Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 366-3333, 7 pm, free.
* THE CLEAR CUT FUTURE
See Nightstand, page 33. Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
FRIDAY 12/12
DAVID HORSEY
The P-I's two-time Pulitzer Prize winner signs From Hanging Chad to Baghdad. Third Place Books, 366-3333, 6 pm, free.
DAVID MONTGOMERY
Carl Safina calls King of Fish: The Thousand-Year Run of Salmon "the king of salmon books." Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
OR-A-TRIX
The all-women queer group performs their poetry. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 322-7030, 7:30 pm, $5-$10.
SATURDAY 12/13
JOHN KEEGAN
A Good Divorce is a novel. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
ANDY GOTTLIEB, THOM SCHRAMM, DEREK SHEFFIELD
The three poets, all products of UW's MFA writing program, read new work. Richard Hugo House, 322-7030, 7:30 pm, $5.
NICHOLAS O'CONNELL
On Sacred Ground: The Spirit of Place in Pacific Northwest Literature boasts an index that includes everyone from Alexie to Wagoner. Third Place Books, 366-3333, 6 pm, free.
SUNDAY 12/14
LESLIE MACKIE
Leslie Mackie's Macrina Bakery & Cafe Cookbook: Favorite Breads, Pastries, Sweets & Savories is as compelling an argument against the Atkins diet you'll ever see. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 3 pm, free.
MONDAY 12/15
NANCY ABERCROMBIE
The Way of the Phoenix is the local novelist's debut. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
VICTOR CHA & DAVID KANG
Cha and Kang discuss Nuclear North Korea: A Debate on Engagement Strategies. Kane Hall 130, University of Washington, 634-3400, 7:30 pm, $5-$7.
* FRANCES McCUE, ARTHUR TULEE, ROGER FANNING
Tonight's festivities include a "laying on of hands" ceremony to bless McCue's new manuscript of poetry, which is probably terrific. Fanning and Tulee are local poets. Richard Hugo House, 322-7030, 7:30 pm, $5.
TUESDAY 12/16
CHRIS FORHAN
The Actual Moon, the Actual Stars is an award-winning (and well-titled) book of poetry. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
* THE PERPETUAL MOTION ROADSHOW
See Stranger Suggests, page 27. Confounded Books, 315 E Pine St, 441-9880, 7 pm, free.
* SALON MUDEDE
Guests at Charles Mudede's final weekly roundtable include Matthew Stadler, Christopher Frizzelle, and others. CHAC, 1621 12th Ave, 568-0728, 8 pm, $7.
WEDNESDAY 12/17
EARLE THOMPSON
Coyote Laughing is a collection of poems by, as Sherman Alexie affectionately describes Thompson, "a semi-homeless alcoholic Indian man." Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
