SCOTT CAIRNS
University of Missouri--Columbia professor reads from his new collection of spiritual poems, Philokalia. Open Books, 2414 N 45th St, 633-0811, 7:30 pm, free.
SANDY GOODMAN
The death of a child, sure... but just think of the royalties! Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 366-3333, 7 pm, free.
DUANE NIATUM
Klallam poet and Seattle native Duane Niatum reads selections from his forthcoming seventh collection of poetry, The Pull of the Green Kite. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 323-4316, 7:30 pm, $3-$5.
BRENDA PETERSON
Naturalist Brenda Peterson examines the ancient past and the uncertain future of the world's most insufferably stupid mammal, the Pacific gray whale. Kane Hall, University of Washington campus, Room 110, 633-6446, free.
GARRY WILLS
The Pulitzer Prize-winning Wills purports to answer the very question no one seemed to be asking in the first place with his new book, Why I Am a Catholic. Why indeed... why indeed.... Kane Hall, Room 130, 634-3400, free.
YOLANDA YOUNG
Louisiana-born, nationally syndicated columnist Young reads from her memoir of Southern childhood, On Our Way to Beautiful. Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
MARK JENKINS
"Extreme adventure writer" Jenkins tries the absolute depth of patience with his brand of self-important storytelling--the literary equivalent of a Mountain Dew commercial. WICKED! Kane Hall, Room 110, 633-6446, 7 pm, free.
* CHINA MI:VILLE
With the follow-up to the award-winning Perdido Street Station, Miéville further extols the many charming virtues of pirates, press-ganged refugees, and mercenaries in his latest, The Scar. University Bookstore, 4326 University Way, 634-3400, 2 pm, free. Also Sat July 27, Third Place Books, 366-3333, 6 pm, free.
EDDY JOE COTTON
In this story of a "bum like me," Zebu Recchia left his comfortable home at age 19, rechristening himself Eddy Joe Cotton, rail rider. In Hobo, Cotton shares his reflections of life on steel tracks, and offers a glimpse into hobo history and folklore. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
ADRIAN TOMINE
See Stranger Suggests. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 3 pm, free.
KRISTIN HANNAH
God help the post-menopausal heroine--desperately fighting, against all odds, and in such an unforgiving world! Damn the powers that be! DAMN THEM ALL TO HELL! Eagle Harbor Book Company, 157 Winslow Way E, Bainbridge Island, 842-5332. Also Tues July 30, Third Place Books, 366-3333, 7 pm, free.
* STACY LEVINE, CHRISTINE FELTON, & DOUG NUFER
Pen/Faulkner Award winner (and Stranger favorite) Levine premieres selections from Frances Johnson, her new novel soon available from Clear-Cut Press. With musical accompaniment by Lori Goldston of the Black Cat Orchestra. Titlewave Books, 7 Mercer St, 324-6379, 7:30 pm, free.
DR. VANDANA SHIVA
The World Trade Organization detractor discusses the hardships (not to mention discounts!) our world's population faces in the shadow of the WTO's configuration. Kane Hall, Room 120, 633-6446, 6 & 7:30 pm, $10-$60.
WILLIE SMITH & DAN RAPHAEL
A pair of poets converges on Elliott Bay this Sunday, bringing along two newly published chapbooks: Go Ahead Spit on Me, and Greatest Hits, respectively. Elliott Bay Book Company,
624-6600, 3 pm, free.
DAVID EBERSHOFF
Ebershoff reads from and signs Pasadena, his latest novel. "The sophomore slump strikes in Ebershoff's muddled, uneven second novel.... [Pasadena] represents a significant drop-off from Ebershoff's brilliant exploration of the artistic world in The Danish Girl." (Publishers Weekly) Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
JOHN CROWLEY
The Translator, Crowley's latest novel (and follow-up to his best-selling Little, Big), traces the path of its young protagonist through the days of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
TIM FARRINGTON
Farrington explores the (legal) sex lives of clergymen in his latest, The Monk Downstairs. Zeitgeist, 171 S Jackson, 583-0497, 7:30 pm, free.
DANIEL LENIHAN
"Extreme adventure"(!) week continues with Submerged, Lenihan's account as the founder and chief of the U.S. Parks Service Submerged Cultural Resources Unit. AQUATIC! University Bookstore, 634-3400, 2 pm, free.
ROBERT CRAIS
Best-selling author of Hostage reads from and signs The Last Detective, his latest Elvis Cole mystery. University Bookstore, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.
JOEL DAVIS
In The Dynamics of Change, sassy librarian Davis discusses the *sigh* vibrant transformation of the Washington State Library system over the past *yawn* 150 years. Tea and a riveting debate over the validity of the Dewey decimal system to follow. Third Place Books, 366-3333, 7 pm, free.
NICK McDONELL
See Stranger Suggests. Zeitgeist, 583-0497, 7:30 pm, free.
JOHN SUITER
Following a brief magazine gig focusing on the 40th anniversary of The Dharma Bums, Suiter began his debut book, an examination of poets Gary Snyder, Philip Whalen, and Jack Kerouac, through new interviews and previously unpublished letters and journals entitled Poets on the Peaks. Kane Hall, Room 130, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.
POETRY/OPEN MICS
* SWIRLS BEFORE PINE--A weekly forum for writers by writers. Mondays at 7 pm. Coffee Messiah, 1554 E Olive Way, 861-8233, free.
CATHARTICISM--Poetry, music, performance, and chaos, with host Ricki Rebel. Wednesdays at 8 pm. Coffee Messiah, 861-8233, free.
* ELLIOTT BAY OPEN MIKE NIGHT--Hosted by P. Dawg. Wed July 31 at 7:30 pm. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, free.
JET CITY POETRY SLAM--New venue combining poetry, performance, and the cruel dynamics of reality TV. Tuesdays at 8 pm. Central Saloon, 207 First Ave S, 427-2300, $3.
MIDNIGHT CABARET--Stories, song, and performance with host Sylvia O'Stayformore. Saturdays at midnight. Coffee Messiah, 861-8233, free.
OUT OF TUNE--Poetry and music free-for-all hosted by Jon Hogan and Jill Charles. Thursdays at 8:30 pm, sign up at 8 pm. The 15th, 7515 15th Ave NW, 706-4973, free.
SCRATCHING POST--Poetry open mic, all ages. Thursdays at 8 pm, sign up at 7:30 pm. Mr. Spot's Chai House, 5463 Leary Ave NW, 297-2424, free.
SEATTLE POETRY SLAM--Open mic, feature, and slam with Karen Finneyfrock. Wednesdays at 8 pm. Sit & Spin, 2219 Fourth Ave, 441-9484, $4.
