THURSDAY 2/21


ROBERT COHEN

Author of Inspired Sleep, Cohen reads his new work at this comfortable Pioneer Square cafe. Zeitgeist Art & Coffee, 171 S Jackson, 583-0497, 7 pm, free.


SUE MONK KIDD

I hate the title of Kidd's new book, The Secret Life of Bees. It is such a literary title. Never call your book The Secret Life of anything. Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.


ANNIE FINCH

A professor at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio (what a geographical mess that is!), Finch is the author of Calendar, Eve, the Ghost of Meter. Seattle University, Pigott Auditorium, 900 Broadway, 282-2677, 7:30 pm, free.


* CYNTHIA HEIMEL

Anything to do with sex is great during a recession. I don't think that Heimel's book Sex Tips for Girls: This Time It's Personal is a smart book, but because there is a recession and it's about sex, it's a great book. Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 366-3333, 7 pm, free. Also Fri Feb 22 at Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 5:30 pm, free; and Fri Feb 22 at University Bookstore, 4326 University Way NE, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.


FRIDAY 2/22


TRACY HOGG

The title of Hogg's book, Secrets of the Baby Whisperer for Toddlers, is as bad as the title of Sue Monk Kidd's new book, The Secret Lives of Bees. True, if you admire Sylvia Plath, Kidd's book is probably more interesting than Hogg's book--but still, they both have bad titles. Third Place Books, 366-3333, 6:30 pm, free.


SATURDAY 2/23


ROBERT MAILER ANDERSON

San Francisco writer Robert Mailer Anderson reads and signs his debut novel Boonville. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 4 pm, free.


* AFRICAN AMERICAN WRITERS ALLIANCE

This annual reading by Seattle's African American Writers Alliance offers new work by young and old talent. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7 pm, free.


SUNDAY 2/24


SPENCER NADLER

The title of Nadler's new book, The Language of Cells: Life as Seen Under the Microscope, is not bad. It could be better, but to say your book is about the language rather than the secret of something is a step in the right direction. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 2 pm, free.


MONDAY 2/25


COLLOQUE WHEEL: AMBER CURTIS

See Stranger Suggests. Victrola, 411 15th Ave, 325-6520, 8 pm, free.


STEPHEN RALEIGH BYLER

Byler is in town to read from his new book, Searching for Intruders: A Novel in Stories. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.


* FILM RAP WITH WARREN ETHEREDGE: "BLACK HISTORY IN TECHNICOLOR"

Join local film critic Warren Etheredge and guests to discuss black (and whites) in color! University Bookstore, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.


TUESDAY 2/26


BRIAN SELZNICK for YOUNG READERS

Children's book illustrator and author Brian Selznick is in town to make a special presentation of his new work, The Dinosaur of Waterhouse Hawkins. He will also show slides. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 11 am, free.


* JACOB NEEDLEMAN

San Francisco State University professor Jacob Needleman is in Seattle to promote his new book The American Soul, which looks at the spiritual and philosophical beliefs of various founding European, African, and native spiritualities. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.


PETER D. WARD

Future Evolution: An Illuminated History of Life to Come is the excellent title of Ward's new book. It examines the biotic makeup of the planet. Third Place Books, 366-3333, 7:30 pm, free.


WEDNESDAY 2/27


MARVIN BELL

Marvin Bell is a poet. Yes, he is from Port Townsend and his poetry is published by Copper Canyon Press. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7 pm, free.


TRISHA THOMAS

Nappily Ever After is Thomas' first novel. If you like Terry McMillan, you will not dislike this novel. Third Place Books, 366-3333, 7 pm, free.