WILLIAM McCLOSKEY
Breakers is a novel about commercial fisherman in Alaska, a state that voted for Bush. Stupid fucking Alaska. Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 5 pm, free.
* MATT BRIGGS, GREGORY HISCHAK
A gonzo reconceptualization of the notion of readings. You will be provided with scissors and pieces of writing to destroy. The evening's called "The End of the World Can Cause Skin Irritation, Stomach or Intestinal Problems." Which explains this weird sickness. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 322-7030, 7 pm, $5 donation requested.
TARA BRAY SMITH
West of Then is a memoir about family set in Hawaii, which is a state that voted for Kerry. Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 366-3333, 7 pm, free. (Also on Nov 12 at Queen Anne Books, 283-5624, 7 pm, free.)
* JOSEPH ELLIS
His Excellency: George Washington is a bio of a U.S. president who was fucking brilliant, which I realize is hard to imagine. Kane Hall 130, UW Campus, 634-3400, 7:30 pm, $5/free if you buy the book.
* JONATHAN ROSEN
Joy Comes in the Morning is a book about faith and science and politics and love. In other words, it's relevant. Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall, Benaroya Hall, Third Ave and Union St, 888-621-2230, 7:30 pm, free.
* McKENZIE WARK
A Hacker Manifesto is about the philosophy of hacking. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free. (Also on Nov 12 at University Book Store, 4326 University Way NE, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.)
FRIDAY 11/12
AUDREY YOUNG
What Patients Taught Me is the memoir of a medical student. Third Place Books, 366-3333, 6 pm, free.
* ROBERT PUTNAM
The professor of public policy at Harvard gives a talk called "Community Engagement in a Changing America." Kane Hall 130, UW Campus, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.
MATT RUFF
The novelist reads from Set This House in Order and Sewer, Gas & Electric: The Public Works Trilogy. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
SATURDAY 11/13
ARTURO ARIAS
Rattlesnake is a novel about Guatemala. Beacon Hill Branch, Seattle Public Library, 2821 Beacon Ave S, 624-6600, 3 pm, free.
CATHERINE BARNETT
Into Perfect Spheres Such Holes Are Pierced is a book of poetry. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 3 pm, free.
MARSHALL MOORE
Black Shapes in a Darkened Room is a book of stories. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 5 pm, free.
URSULA BACON
Shanghai Diary is about Jews who fled to China to escape the Nazis. Third Place Books, 366-3333, 6 pm, free.
JOHN IMMEL AKINS
On the Way to Khe Sanh is a poetry collection. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
SUNDAY 11/14
CAROL GUESS
Femme's Dictionary is a book of poems. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 4 pm, free.
MONDAY 11/15
PETE FROMM
As Cool as I Am features an absent father and a tough world. Third Place Books, 366-3333, 7 pm, free.
COLM KELLEHER
Brain Trust is about mad cow disease, a malady that would be inappropriate to wish upon anyone. (Eat up, Texas.) University Book Store, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.
MIKAEL NIEMI
Popular Music from Vittula is a novel. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
* RODDY DOYLE
The author of Oh, Play That Thing is also the author of a couple other books (like Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha, which won the 1993 Booker Prize) and is a resident of Ireland (a country that suddenly seems much more livable). Illsley Ball Nordstrom Hall, Benaroya Hall, 621-2230, 7:30 pm, $15/$7.50 students and children.
TUESDAY 11/16
DONNA ZAJONC
The "political leadership coach" talks about The Politics of Hope. Elliott Bay Book Co. , 624-6600, 5 pm, free.
ADAM JOHNSON
Parasites Like Us is a novel about an anthropology professor. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
WEDNESDAY 11/17
MICHAEL MEADE
He is the author of Holding the Thread of Life. Quoth the press materials: "You are invited to a unique evening of stories, poetry, and discussion that seek to find meaning and purpose in a world increasingly uncertain and fearful." Quoth Stranger intern Linda K. Nix, PhD, "Nothing kills the power of myths and stories like explaining their meaningfulness." Seattle Art Museum, 100 University St, 935-3665, 7 pm, free ($12 donation suggested).
SETH FAISON
South of the Clouds is a book of reporting about China. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
