Sean Wilsey created something really special with State by State: Each of the United States was assigned to an author, who tried to reveal the unique character and mystery of each state in three or four pages. Huge talents like Dave Eggers, Alison Bechdel, and John Hodgman contributed, making the book one of the best anthologies of the last decade. Wilsey will be joined onstage by State by State contributor—and former Sleater-Kinney member—Carrie Brownstein, who wrote the paean to Washington's weird trees. (Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave, 800-838-3006. 7:30 pm, $5.)