THURSDAY 6/19
GARY ATKINS
Seattle University professor Atkins signs Gay Seattle, an account of Seattle’s particular strain of the gay disease. Just in time for Pride! New Freeway Hall, 5018 Rainier Ave S, 722-6057, 7:30 pm, free.
DIVERTIMENTO: THE LOST WORKS OF NELSON BENTLEY
Floating Bridge Press’ latest publication serves the posthumous poetry of Northwest author Bentley, as read by friends, family, and former students of the writer. Frye Art Museum, 704 Terry Ave, 622-9250, 7 pm, free.
SARAH KRAMER
I am neither a cook, nor a vegan–nonetheless, I found myself a little compelled to pick Kramer’s cookbook, The Garden of Vegan, out of editor Mudede’s promotional bin. I think this suggests a penchant for the dry and bland. We’ll have to keep our eye on this suggestion. University Bookstore, 4326 University Way NE, 634-3400, 7 pm, free. Also, Madison Market, 1600 E Madison St, 329-1545, 11:30 am, free.
STEVE JONES
The ultimate self-hatred, Jones trumps the old Valerie Solanas card–not only arguing for male inferiority, but rather the gender’s complete triviality, in Y: The Descent of Men. University of Washington, Kane Hall, room 110, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.
ROBERT RICE
Mystery writer Rice signs his latest, The Nature of Midnight. Seattle Mystery Bookshop, 117 Cherry St, 587-5737, noon, free.
OZ SHELACH
Israeli-born author Shelach (who, incidentally, has the coolest first name since God) signs his latest, a cut-and-paste portrait of the Israeli/Palestine conflict entitled Picnic Grounds. Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
FRIDAY 6/20
HARRY POTTER PAJAMA PARTY
To celebrate the release of The Bible 2: The Wrath of Commerce, the UW Bookstore hosts a PJ party. University Bookstore, 634-3400, 11 pm, free.
CHRISTOPHER MOORE
Moore gets all biblical in a story (Fluke) about a marine biologist swallowed by a whale… er, fake whale–which is actually manned by a species of whale/human hybrids. I don’t know either. University Bookstore, 633-6446, 7 pm, free. Also, Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 366-3320, Sun June 22 at 6 pm, free.
TOM ROBBINS
I don’t read books, but if I did, the first author I’d read would be Tom Robbins. Which is precisely why I don’t read books. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7 pm, free. [Note: Nothing you say or do, Zac, will prevent this reading from being jam-packed. Also, please don’t tell our readers–the precious few we have–that you, my assistant on the books section, don’t read; it really makes my job more difficult. –Charles Mudede. ]
SATURDAY 6/21
HARRY POTTER PARTY
Oh, the relief. At the birth of this day, the summer solstice, Bailey/Coy Books offers us all the solace that we’ve so long awaited: the release of the only book that has ever mattered, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. With cake and magicians. Bailey/Coy Books, 414 Broadway E, 323-8842, 12:01 am, free.
GINA KOLATA
The savior we’ve all been waiting for–nationally acclaimed New York Times (I know, but still) science reporter Kolata shares the truth about exercise–and from the sound of things, it ain’t worth shit. See Ultimate Fitness: The Quest for Truth About Exercise and Health. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 4 pm, free.
HOWARD FRANK MOSHER
Further-imagined history–this one being another in the long list anticipating the Lewis and Clark bicentennial–Mosher offers The True Account, a tale of the Kinneson expedition that predated that of the famous duo. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
JASON AUGUSTUS NEWCOMB
A reinterpretation of Abramelin the Mage’s 15th-century jibber jabber, some kinda New-Agey silliness (in a world where “magic” sports a “j”) called 21st Century Mage: Bring the Divine Down to Earth. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 2 pm, free. SUNDAY 6/22
ROY GEPHART
The Hanford mess, with its glowing fish and four-headed babies, is addressed in full with geohydrologist Gephart’s latest volume, Hanford: A Conversation About Nuclear Waste and Cleanup. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 2 pm, free.
MONDAY 6/23
ROBERT CORT
Three Men and a Baby producer (he’s worked with the Guttenberg!) Cort chats about his new book, Action, with local film critic Warren Etheredge. University Bookstore, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.
JAMES GLEICK
Former New York Times (I know, but still) reporter and editor signs Isaac Newton, a biography/illumination of the man’s life and works. University of Washington, Kane Hall, room 130, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.
JOE QUEENAN
Queenan offers his clearest vision of the madness that is the sick, sad life of a sports fanatic, with True Believers: The Tragic Inner Life of Sports Fans. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
TUESDAY 6/24
FLOATING BRIDGE PRESS CHAPBOOK READINGS
The busy folks at Floating Bridge Press celebrate the publication of Kelli Russell Agodon’s Geography–the winner of this year’s chapbook contest–along with readings by the other finalists, including Iris Gribble-Neal, Gregory Hischak, Eli Richardson, and Martha Silano. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 322-7030, 7 pm, free.
* CHARLES JOHNSON
Author of Middle Passage, which won the National Book Award in 1990, Johnson turns from race to matters of spirituality in his new book, Turning the Wheel: Essays on Writing and Buddhism. University Bookstore, 634-3400, 7 pm, free
NANCY KRESS
Probability Space author Kress kicks off the Clarion West Science Fiction Reading Series in support of Crossfire, her latest. University of Washington, Kane Hall, Walker-Ames Room, 7:30 pm, $3-$4.
WEDNESDAY 6/25
* CHRIS ESTEY
Bandoppler co-editor Estey revels in the relevance of his chosen craft–the parasitic purgatory of rock journalism. Richard Hugo House, 322-7030, 7 pm, $5. See preview this issue.
DANNY GOLDBERG
Record producer Goldberg takes the left to task for its resounding ignorance of the power of youth culture in Dispatches from the Culture Wars: How the Left Lost Teen Spirit. University of Washington, Kane Hall, Walker-Ames Room, 634-6600, 7 pm, free.
STEVE HAMILTON
The latest in his Alex McKnight mystery series (the fourth sequel, in total), Blood in the Sky finds the aforementioned investigator on the trail of a missing, backwoods acquaintance. Seattle Mystery Bookshop, 587-5737, noon, free. Also Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 5 pm, free.
EDWARD TENNER
Tenner (Why Things Bite Back) signs Our Own Devices, his look at the simple inventions meant to enhance our lives, and their actual effect on society. University Bookstore, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.
POETRY/OPEN MICS
ELLIOTT BAY OPEN MIC NIGHT–Hosted by P. Dawg. Wed June 25 at 7:30 pm. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, free.
HOMELAND–Words. So many words. Tuesdays at 7 pm. Caffe Vita, 1005 E Pike St, 709-4440, free.
SCRATCHING POST–Poetry open mic, all ages. Thursdays at 8 pm, signup at 7:30 pm. Mr. Spot’s Chai House, 5463 Leary Ave NW, 297-2424, free.
SEATTLE ARTS COMMISSION GRANT WINNERS–Featuring Bart Baxter, Lillias Bever, Priscilla Long, Sarah Mangold, and Arlene Naganawa. Thurs June 19 at 7:30 pm. Open Books: A Poem Emporium, 2414 N 45th St, 633-0811, free.
SEATTLE POETRY SLAM–Open mic and slam with Karen Finneyfrock. Wednesdays at 8 pm. Bad Juju Lounge, 1518 11th Ave, 709-9951, $4.
WOMEN’S POETRY NIGHT–Spoken word from the fairer sex. Thursdays at 8 pm. The Bar, 1525 E Olive Way, 322-1788, free.