Plenty of books have tried to piece together the historical existence of Jesus Christ, but Reza Aslan’s Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth is worth your time for its author alone. Aslan has written a small library of religious books and discussed Islam and the “war on terror” on The Daily Show and The Rachel Maddow Show. He’s long been a vocal supporter of Stranger Literature Genius Lesley Hazleton’s religious biographies. Tonight, he’ll be in conversation with Hazleton for the first time ever, which could make this the smartest religious event in Seattle this year. (Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave, elliottbaybook.com, 7 pm, free)