When she moved to Seattle from Buffalo three years ago, Nancy Kress instantly became one of the five best sci-fi writers in town. This year, she’s kicking everyone else’s ass by publishing two great books: A postapocalyptic time-travel novella called After the Fall, Before the Fall, During the Fall and a DNA-themed short-story collection titled Fountain of Age. Kress has already written one modern classic—Beggars in Spain is a nerdy must-read about sleeplessness, exceptionalism, and obligation. Either one of her new books—or both of them—could become a fixture in the Nerd Canon in years to come. (University Book Store, 4326 University Way NE, 634-3400, 7 pm, free)