JIM CURRIE
Currie's book, The Mindful Traveler: A Guide to Journaling and Transformative Travel, should be about safe travel in the aftermath of the WTC tragedy, but it's really about Eastern philosophy and spiritual stuff. University Bookstore-Bellevue, 990 102nd Ave NE, Bellevue, (425) 462-4500, 7 pm, free.
MARY JANE RYAN
Author M.J. Ryan shares the inner joy that is possible "even in times of hardship." Kane Hall, room 110, UW campus, 7 pm, free. Call University Bookstore at 634-3400 for more information.
DUFF WILSON
This Seattle Times reporter peddles The Truth in Fateful Harvest: The True Story of a Small Town, a Global Industry, and a Toxic Secret. University Bookstore, 4326 University Way NE, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.
SHARAN NEWMAN
Best-selling medieval mystery author will read passages from her books and discuss the background of her popular Catherine LeVendeur mystery series, which is set in 12th-century France. Tree of Life Judaica & Books, 2201 NE 65th, 527-1130, 7:30, free.
* JIMMY CARTER
See Stranger Suggests. University Bookstore, 634-3400, 6 pm, free.
PETER JENKINS
Jenkins is the author of the much-loved memoir, A Walk Across America, in which he set out with his dog Cooper to look at his nation. Twenty years later, Peter has a look at America's last frontier--Alaska--in Looking for Alaska. I'm almost certain Cooper has passed away. Third Place Books, 366-3333, 6:30 pm, free.
LINDA BIERDS
This Bainbridge Island poetess celebrates the release of her sixth and newest collection, The Seconds, in which she sifts notions of The Second. Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
* TOM DOUGLAS
The James Beard Award-winning chef and owner of the Dahlia Lounge, Etta's Seafood, and Palace Kitchen signs copies of Tom Douglas' Seattle Kitchen: A Food Lover's Cookbook and Guide. Tom Douglas is the man. Third Place Books, 366-3333, noon, free. Also at Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 2:30 pm, free.
ALLEN APPEL
Appel's newest novel, Club Revelation, is the rollicking tale of three Jewish/Christian couples with a young Southern evangelist as a neighbor. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
MARTIN S. JAFFEE
Jaffee (Stanley D. Golub Professor of International Studies at the UW) discusses the difference between learning from books and learning from teachers. Congregation Sha'arei Tefillah Lubavitch, 6250 43rd Ave. NE, 527-1411, 8 pm, free.
LOUNG UNG
Sister Helen Prejean (the nun who wrote Dead Man Walking) says this about Ung's story: "I thought young Ung's story would make me sad. But this spunky child warrior carried me with her in her courageous quest for life." Tickets available via Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600. Arctic Building, the Dome Room, 700 Third Avenue, 684-4537, noon, free.
JAMES VAN PRAAGH
This spiritual medium who helps living people communicate with dead people on Oprah has written Heaven and Earth: Making the Psychic Connection. Third Place Books, 366-3333, 7 pm, free.
* ANDY SPLETZER
See Stranger Suggests. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 7 pm, $5 non-members, $2 students, free to Cinema Seattle members; call Cinema Seattle at 464-5830 for details and tickets.
THUBTEN CHODRON
Thubten Chodron is a resident teacher at Seattle's Dharma Friendship Foundation, and a nun in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Her new book is Working With Anger. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
* JACQUELINE WILLIAMS
Folk historian Jacqueline Williams reads about early Capitol Hill history. Richard Hugo House, 322-7030, 7 pm, free.
ROYCE RICHARDSON
Author, composer, and artist, Royce Richardson has combined his talents to produce a multimedia novel, The Blissmaker, which he describes as "a journey to the territory of spirituality of my own spirituality." Yes, this week the Readings Calendar is besieged by an indefatigable army of spiritual readings. Third Place Books, 366-3333, 7 pm, free.
* RICK BRAGG
Bragg rescheduled his appearance at Elliott Bay after he was drafted by his regular employer, The New York Times, for duty in Pakistan. Tonight he'll push his book, Ava's Man, which, thank God, is not a spiritual, uplifting book. Tickets required, however. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
HANUKKAH WITH ERIC KIMMEL
The esteemed author of The Magic Dreidels and Herschel and the Hanukkah Goblins will read from his new book, Zigazak. Eric Kimmel sure does love Hanukkah. Temple Beth-Am, 2632 NE 80th St, 525-0915, 3:30 pm, free; and at Jewish Day School of Metropolitan Seattle, 15749 NE Fourth St, Bellevue, (425) 460-0200, 7 pm, free.
* VERNON E. JORDAN, JR.
This fine brother was an adviser and confidant to Bill Clinton, and the senior managing director of a leading D.C. law firm. Tonight he presents his memoir, Vernon Can Read! A Memoir. Agreed, it is a terrible title. Tickets available at Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600. Town Hall, Eighth Ave and Seneca St, 7:30 pm, $5.
* ROBERT HULL
Architect Robert Hull will speak and give a slide show from Miller/Hull: Architects of the Pacific Northwest, which documents Miller/Hull's award-winning, energy-conserving work. Author Sheri Olson will also be on hand for some reason. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
* CAROLYN GRAYE
Singer/pianist/composer Carolyn Graye will discuss and play selections from the collection of poems she has set to original music for jazz ensemble. Jack Straw Productions, 4261 Roosevelt Way NE, 634-0919, 7:30 pm, free.
Poetry/Open Mics
* HYPOCRISY--Formerly known as East India Trading Co. Mon at 7:30 pm, sign-up at 7 pm. Coffee Messiah, 1554 E Olive Way, 208-1188, free.
* SEATTLE SPIT--Queer spoken-word open mic. Featured readers on Dec 6 are Cristien Storm, Jenie Hall, and Hope Amico. Wildrose, 1021 E Pike St, 271-5437, first Thursdays, 8 pm, free.
POETRY ANDANTE--Thurs at 7:30 pm. Cafe Allegro, 4002 University Way NE, 634-2310, free.
SCRATCHING POST--Poetry open mic, all ages. Thurs at 8 pm, sign-up at 7:30 pm. Mr. Spot's Chai House, 2213 NW Market St, 297-2424, free.
RE-BIRTH--Thurs at 7:30 pm. Zodiac Cafe, 605 E Broadway, 720-4502, free.
RED SKY POETRY THEATER--The P. Diddy of poetry open mics. Sun at 7 pm. Globe Cafe, 1531 14th Ave, 324-8815, free.
* STAGEFRIGHT--Come express yourself to the masses, for aspiring writers and performers ages 14-24. Second and fourth Wednesday of every month, 7-9 pm in the cafe of Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 322-7030, free.
SEATTLE POETRY SLAM--Wed at 9 pm. Sit & Spin, 2219 Fourth Ave, 441-9484, $4.
