ROBERT CABOT

That Sweetest Wine is Robert Cabot's first book in 30 years, and it's being described as a sweet surprise, beautifully written. Plus, Cabot lives here in Seattle now, so here's your chance to suss out hidden local talent! Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.

SUSAN ORLEAN

Susan Orlean's The Orchid Thief was a big, well-merchandised hit in hardcover last year, so the paperback version should push just as well. It's a kind of detective trail of the history of orchids -- and a fascinatingly florid history it is, too. Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, 366-3300, 7:30 pm, free.

DAVID HALPERN, LARRY LAURENCE

Halpern's poetry has been published wide and well, and the local writer/artist offers both of his talents on display at this Bremerton gallery, accompanied by writer Larry Laurence. The Amy Burnett Gallery, 402 Pacific Ave, Bremerton, WA, 360-692-5403, 2 pm, free.

*MATT BRIGGS

Matt Briggs reads from his debut linked novel, The Remains of River Names, which follows a family's bohemian wander through Washington rural life and the search for the meaning of family, in beautiful broken prose that evokes the ambivalence of growing up. Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.

DIA CALHOUN

Firegold is Calhoun's young-adult novel about finding a place in the world, and finding the legendary Firegold apple. Apple treats accompany the reading. University Book Store, 4326 University Way NE, 634-3400, 1 pm, free.

GLORIA BURGESS

A celebration of Martin Luther King Jr., through verse, song, and special readings (See Stranger Suggests). Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, 366-3300, noon, free.

BILL WASSMUTH

Hate Is My Neighbor is Bill Wassmuth's exploration of Northwest neo-Nazism and other fundamentalist freakiness that lies next door. Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.

DAVID P. SZATMARY

The fourth edition of UW Professor Szatmary's book Rockin' In Time: A Social History of Rock and Roll adds such notables as Nine Inch Nails, the Spice Girls, and Lauryn Hill to the mix. University Book Store, 4326 University Way NE, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.

TAWNI O'DELL

O'Dell's debut, Back Roads, is being praised as a realistic depiction of the back hills of western Pennsylvania, where dysfunctional families live humorous, quirky lives. Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.

OPEN MIC

Note to regularly programmed open mics: 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.

665

Count the days no more -- 665 is back, reconfigured by Salon Productions. This open mic is hosted by Sarah Sharp, with featured readers adding to the equation. Four Angels Cafe, 1400 14th Ave at Union, 264-5139, 7:30 sign-up, free.

SPOKEN WORD

Each and every Thursday, this venerable Pioneer Square venue spotlights music, poetry, and comedy. Pioneer Square Saloon, 73 Yesler Way, 624-6444, 8:30 pm, free.

HOMELAND

Hosted by Circus and friends, "Seattle's own Little Bohemia" emerges from a hiatus transformed. The Globe Cafe, 1531 14th Ave at Pike, 264-5139, 7:30 sign-up, free.

SEATTLE POETRY SLAM

With a new venue and a new night, Seattle's biggest poetry slam is alive and kickin'. Tonight: 1998 National Slam Team Member and writer with Los Norteños, Marta Sanchez. Rupert's, 309 First Ave S, 628-7703, www.seattlepoetryslam.org, 9 pm, $3.