THURS-13

*CHUCK PIRTLE, STEVE CRESON, DARRIN DANIEL, GREAT JIM JONES--Contributors read from the anthology, Think of the Self Speaking: Interviews with Harry Smith. "Reading these interviews is like watching a single neuron as it bounces from one random synapse to the next, building up an unlikely string of insights as it goes. Smith goes on for dozens of pages, jumping in the same sentence from Ukrainian painted eggs to Seminole patchwork quilts, from Bertolt Brecht to the occult oral traditions of the eunuchs of Rajasthan. From another's mouth, such discourse might seem deranged, but Smith's genius was in making clear the links between all the many things that interested him." (Dan Tenenbaum) University Book Store, 4326 University Way NE, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.

DAVID TREUER--Treuer, author of the well-received Little, reads from his newest, The Hiawatha. A somber, workin' class lyric centered on murderer Simon, The Hiawatha incorporates poverty, skyscrapers, dead deer, and regret. Elliott Bay, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 6 pm, free.

*VIKRAM SETH--Music and all its romance set the stage for Seth's newest novel, An Equal Music. A love story more eloquent about strains of melody than strains of love, Music follows narrator and violinist Michael Holme through secret and not-so-secret trysts. Seth, the Indian-born author of a Suitable Boy, is also a poet, and poetry infuses his narrative here. Benaroya Hall, Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall, 3rd Ave & Union St, 621-2230, 7:30 pm, $10/$5.

STEPHEN NELSON--Packaged with a personal finance CD-ROM, Nelson's The Millionaire Kit purports to lead "real people with real incomes" to the big kaboodle. Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 366-3333, 7 pm, free.


FRI-14

*LISA MICHAELS, KENT CHADWICK, DEBRA JARVIS, LARRY LAURENCE, LAURA GAMACHE-- Winners of the Jack Straw Productions writing awards, which recognize up-and-coming talented local writers, read from their work. Admission fee includes a commemorative chapbook. This is sure to be an eclectic and interesting group. Jack Straw Productions, 4261 Roosevelt Way NE, 634-0919, 8 pm, $5.

GARY FERGUSON--Facing nature as rehabilitation, outdoors writer Ferguson reads from his book, Shouting at the Sky: Troubled Teens and the Promise of the Wild. Elliott Bay, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 5 pm, free.

BRUCE FULTON--Sixteen Korean stories written between 1921 and 1943 comprise Seattle translator Fulton's fine new translation, A Ready Made Life: Early Masters at Modern Korean Fiction. A reputable introduction to little known work. Elliott Bay, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.

JOE BLONDO--Poet Joe Blondo reads from his new work. Odd Fellows Hall, Chamber Theater, 4th Floor, 915 E Pine, 329-5283, 7 pm, free.


SAT-15

*BRONTË-SAURUS--See Arts Section. Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 322-7030, 9 am-midnight, $5.

GEORGE DENNISTON--Denniston shares his Joy of Ballooning in his newly-published color-photo coffee table book. Elliott Bay, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 2 pm, free.

*JENNY OFFILL--See Books Lead, page 24. Elliott Bay, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.

ALAN COOPER--Are we slaves to our PCs? Many may think so, and Cooper, the "Father of Visual Basic," wants to restore the sanity. He reads from his book, The Inmates Are Running the Asylum. University Book Store, 4326 University Way NE, 634-3400, 2 pm, free.

ROBERT FERRIGNO--Local writer Ferrigno reads from his latest well-received mystery, Heartbreaker, a SoCal Elmore Leonard-esque thrill ride. Parkplace Books, 348 Parkplace Center, Kirkland, 425-838-6546, 3 pm, free; signing at Seattle Mystery Bookshop, 117 Cherry St, 587-5737, 1 pm, free.


SUN-16

*MARK MITCHELL, REBECCA BROWN--Soft City Prose, curated by Charles Mudede, presents fascinating local writers. This month features Mitchell, who will read from his novel-in-progress about sex, drugs, and HIV; and Rebecca Brown, whose most recent novel, The Dogs, showcases her gifts for fine allegory and haunting plot. She will read from new work. Pistil Books, 1013 E Pike, 325-5401, 7 pm, free.

WILLIAM SLAUGHTER--In the wake of Tiananmen Square, William Slaughter, who lived in China, worked out his pain and politics through his poetry. The Politics of My Heart is the critically-lauded result. Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 366-3333, 4:30 pm, free.


MON-17

KATHLEEN NORRIS--Poet and feminist Norris reads from her musings on Christianity, Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith. Elliott Bay, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.

FREEMAN HOUSE--Earnest ecology and meditation make up California writer House's Totem Salmon, a memoir-ish recounting of counterculture life along the Mattole River in the 1970s, and the efforts to save salmon habitats there. Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 366-3333, 7 pm, free.


TUES-18

PACO UNDERHILL--Buy this book: Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping. Underhill explains why you must, and how stores and advertising knead malleable consumer minds. University Book Store, 4326 University Way NE, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.

FREEMAN HOUSE--See listing for Mon, May 17. Elliott Bay, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.

MONA LISA SCHULZ--Schulz celebrates the power of the good ol' gut feeling and tells how it can be used to improve life in Awakening Intuition. Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 366-3333, 7 pm, free.


WED-19

*SKETCH CLUB--Curated by writer Rebecca Brown, a discussion of sound, cultural contexts of translation, and related issues of language with a panel including Olga Sanchez, Maynard Atik, Bruce and Ju Chan Fulton, Don Mee Choi, Ariana, Deborah Woodard, and Guiseppe Leporace. Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 322-7030, 8 pm, $5.

WILLIAM POLLACK--The paperback edition of Pollack's press-friendly Real Boys: Rescuing Our Sons from the Myths of Boyhood is sure to find new relevance in the wake of Littleton. Elliott Bay, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 5 pm, free.

*BEN KATCHOR--See Calendar Box. Elliott Bay, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 8 pm, free.

FREEMAN HOUSE--See listing for Mon, May 17. University Book Store, 4326 University Way NE, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.

SUE MULLER HACKING--Hacking shows those without keels how to get on the water in her guidebook, Boatless in Seattle. Marco Polo, 713 Broadway E, 860-3736, 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.

THURS-13
665--Words and music add up in this evening venue, tonight presenting Open Mic-O-Rama. Four Angels, 1400 14th Ave (at Union), 689-8661, 7:30 pm, free.

THE PEARL--Turn irritation into beauty: bring fiction, poetry, film, or drama. Every first Thursday celebrates Dead Poets. The Pearl, 4215 University Way NE, 547-3326, 8 pm, free.

SUN-16
RED SKY POETRY THEATER--Continuing its 18th season of readings, spotlighting local writers plus an open mic. Tonight's featured reader is Roberta Olson. Globe Cafe, 1531 14th off Pine, 633-5647, 7 pm, free.

MON-17
LIVINGROOM--Every Monday about this time, people read and rant and play music. Tonight, make room for Paul Rucker. Habitat Espresso, 222 Broadway E, 689-8661, 7:30 pm, free.

TUES-18
HOMELAND--The homiest of open mics, tonight featuring Daniel T. Fleming, along with espresso chocolate chip cookies. Globe Cafe, 1531 14th Ave (at Pine), 324-8815, 7:30 pm, free.