MARY DORIA RUSSELL--With her debut novel, The Sparrow, an "unclassifiable" (but closest to sci-fi/fantasy) story, Russell garnered widespread praise; she returns with Children of God, which includes characters from The Sparrow:. Seattle Public Library, Lee Auditorium, 1000 Fourth Ave, 386-4184, 7 pm, free.
FRI 05
*CHUCK PALAHNIUK--See Calendar Box. Elliott Bay, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
SAT 06
JENNESS CLARK & JOHN ZOBEL--Two Seattle authors read from their debut novels--Clark's An Unobstructed View; Zobel's A Slight Change of Plans--both Northwest mysteries. Elliott Bay, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 4:30 pm, free.
*LOIS-ANN YAMANAKA--Almost every page of Yamanaka's newest novel, Heads by Harry, has a swear word on it; in its Hawaiian setting, the rhythms of real speech are pure pleasure, spinning around the big wave of Toni and the "strange beauty of taxidermy." Elliott Bay, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
MON 08
ALEX GARLAND--Sexy glamour-shot boy of England ("I started writing because all my friends had jobs and I needed something to do" [quote approximate]) reads from his second thriller, The Tesseract. Elliott Bay, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
VERNON M. NEPPE--In his book Cry the Beloved Mind, neuropsychiatrist Neppe explains the mechanisms by which happy medications like Prozac alter mind and behavior. University Book Store, 4326 University Way NE, 545-4365, 7 pm, free.
TUES 09
*RENDEZVOUS READING--Rendezvous presents an evening of Fine Madness, with readings by contributors Rich Ives, Crysta Casey, John Olson, and editor Sean Bentley. Fine Madness is a Seattle-based literary magazine founded in 1982 that has presented many fine local poets to the world at large. Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 323-7030, 8 pm, $3 donation.
HELEN FREMONT--A memoir divulging the late-life discovery that her parents were Jews who survived the holocaust, Fremont's After Long Silence explores the parental drive to protect children, even at the expense of the truth. Kane Hall, Walker-Ames Room, UW Campus, 545-4365, 7 pm, free.
EMER MARTIN--Another talented Irish novelist, this one of the younger set, visits Seattle. Martin follows up her highly praised debut Breakfast in Babylon with a new novel, More Bread or I'll Appear, combining a sharp wit with an eccentric and multicultural cast of characters. Elliott Bay, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
WED 10
LAYNIE BROWNE--Marvelous local poet and one of the organizers of the Subtext Reading Series, Browne reads from and signs her new book, The Agency of Wind. Open Books, 2414 N 45th, 633-0811, 7:30 pm, free.
RICHARD DAWKINS--Dawkins, author of the popular The Selfish Gene, presents a new book discussing widespread attitudes toward science, and how its poetic side affects our everyday understanding of the world. Kane Hall, Room 130, UW Campus, 545-4365, 7 pm, free.
CHRISTIAN WIMAN--"Texas speech" ropes up Wiman's poetry, a beautiful first collection titled The Long Home. He visits from Stanford, where he is the Jones Lecturer. Elliott Bay, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
OPEN MIKE
Note to regularly programmed open mikes: The Stranger will list events only if we receive an announcement--regular listings will be dropped unless we are notified that the events are in fact ongoing.
THU-4
665--Words and music add up in this evening venue, tonight presenting Kansas. Four Angels, 1400 14th Ave (at Union), 689-8661, 7:30 pm, free.
DEAD POETS--Live poets read from the work of dead poets, every Thursday. Featured readers have included Paul Hunter, Belle Randall, and Robynne Rutherford. The Pearl Cafe, 4215 University Way NE, 547-3326, 8 pm, free.
SUN-7
RED SKY POETRY THEATER--Continuing its 18th season of readings, spotlighting local writers plus an open mike. Tonight featuring Brian Taylor. Globe Cafe, 1531 14th Ave (at Pine), 633-5647, 7 pm, free.
MON-8
livingroom--Every Monday about this time, people read and rant and play music. Tonight, make room for Scott Huntington. Habitat Espresso, 222 Broadway E, 689-8661, 7:30 pm, free.
TUES-9
HOMELAND--The homiest of open mikes, tonight featuring Martin Marriott, along with oatmeal cookies. Globe Cafe, 1531 14th Ave (at Pine), 324-8815, 7:30 pm, free.
WED-10
THE BLINDMAN'S BAIL--A new monthly open mike that invites creative people of all sorts to strut their stuff. Hosted by Hope Amico. Sweet Springs Cafe, 56th & University NE, 8 pm, free.
CHAOS MICROPHONE--Sell your soul for the perfect word? Then you're welcome at this weekly open venue, which warns that "you will undergo some metamorphosis." Coffee Messiah, 1554 E Olive Way, 860-7377, 7 pm, free.
