LESTER BROWN
The environmental policy activist discusses Plan B: Rescuing a Planet Under Stress and a Civilization in Trouble. University Bookstore, 4326 University Way NE, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.
SUSAN ELIZABETH PHILLIPS
Ain't She Sweet? is a novel set in Mississippi. Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park Towne Center, 366-3333, 7 pm, free.
JEFF SHARLET, PETER MANSEAU
Francine Prose, Rick Moody, and others are contributors to Killing the Buddha: A Heretic's Bible. Zeitgeist Coffee House, 171 S Jackson St, 583-0467, 7 pm, free.
ANA MENENDEZ
Loving Che is a novel incorporating present-day Miami and 1950s Cuba. Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 8 pm, free. FRIDAY 2/20
LORNA LANDVIK
Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons is about a women's book club across four decades. Third Place Books, 366-3333, 6 pm, free.
MARK OBMASCIK
Bird watching, an activity of increasingly popularity, is the subject of The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature, and Fowl Obsession. University Bookstore, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.
PAUL NELSON, STACIA BEER, ALLISSA NIELSEN, COY KING, JIMMY HENRY
The local poets read from new work. The evening is titled "Epidemic of Incredibility: An Evening of Awkward Cacophony." 562 First Ave S, fourth floor, 547-9716, 7 pm, $5.
ALEXANDER COCKBURN, JEFFREY ST. CLAIR
Cockburn and St. Clair are the editors of The Politics of Anti-Semitism. Expect lively discussion. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7:30, free. SATURDAY 2/21
"RUSSELL SIMMONS' DEF POETRY JAM"
Nine performance poets. Need more be said? Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave, 292-ARTS, 5 and 9 pm, $20-$45.
STAN GOFF
Full Spectrum Disorder: The Military in the New American Century surveys our empire's collapse "into the throes of a profound political and moral entropy," says Jeffrey St. Clair. New Hope Baptist Church, 124 21st Ave, 789-2684, 7 pm, $10 suggested donation.
SUNDAY 2/22
CARRINGTON MacDUFFIE
On the Dreaming Earth, MacDuffie's first collection of poetry, "probes the mysteries of love," according to local poet and poetry publisher Paul Hunter. Ravenna Third Place Books, 6504 20th Ave NE, 525-2347, 2 pm, free.
DEBORAH J. HAYNES
Haynes discusses Art Lessons: Meditations on the Creative Life. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 3 pm, free. MONDAY 2/23
ALEXANDER C. SANGER
Sanger, the grandson of Margaret Sanger, who founded this country's first birth control clinic in 1916, reads from Beyond Choice: Reproductive Freedom in the 21st Century. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 5:30 pm, free.
SUSAN DOUGLAS
Douglas reads from and signs The Mommy Myth: The Idealization of Motherhood and How It Has Undermined Women. University Bookstore, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.
COLLOQUE WHEEL
The regular reading series that has nothing to do with the local literary journal Cranky features, in this month's installment, Daniel Becker, Jessica Camp, Tod McCoy, Tatyana Mishel, and Larisa Lomacky Moore. Victrola Coffee & Art, 411 15th Ave E, 323-7203, 7 pm, free.
SUSAN FROMBERG SCHAEFFER
The Snow Fox is a novel set in medieval Japan. Elliott Bay Books, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
"ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK: SEATTLE OPTIONS FOR GETTING PUBLISHED"
Ted Treanor (president of Seattle Book Co.), Duse McLean (president of Thistle Press), and Elliott Wolf (publisher of Classic Day Publishing) discuss local options for getting books into print. There will also be an opportunity for you to pitch your ideas, so come prepared. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 322-7030, 7:30 pm, free.
* ELLEN BRYANT VOIGT
See Stranger Suggests, page 21. ACT Theatre, Seventh Ave and Union St, 767-7676, 7:30 pm, $14.
TUESDAY 2/24
* ANNA QUINDLEN
The cultural critic and novelist kicks off the Public Library Association's 10th National Conference. (A ticket to this event buys you access to the five-day exhibition, as well as to Sherman Alexie's closing talk on Feb 28.) Washington State Convention and Trade Center, 800 Convention Place, 219-4700 or www.pla.org for more info, 2 pm, $25.
* OCTAVIA BUTLER
See Stranger Suggests, page 21. University Bookstore, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.
JASPER FFORDE
The Well of Lost Plots is the third in the author's series of novels about a character named Thursday Next. Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, 7:30, free.
DAVID CALLAHAN
The social historian talks about The Cheating Culture: Why More Americans Are Doing Wrong to Get Ahead. Town Hall, Eighth Ave and Seneca St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, $5.
WEDNESDAY 2/25
MARK NYKANEN
The Bone Parade is a psychological thriller. University Bookstore, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.
POETRY/OPEN MICS
HOMELAND--Words. So many words. Tuesdays at 7 pm. Caffe Vita, 1005 E Pike St, 709-4440, free.
OPEN MIKE NIGHT--Musicians, poets, whoever. Thursdays at 8 pm. 15th Avenue Alehouse, 7515 15th Ave NW, free.
POETSWEST--Featuring J. Glenn Evans, Donald Kentop, Christine Swanberg. Sun Feb 22 at 7 pm. Penny Cafe, 1707 NW Market St, 682-1268, free.
RED SKY POETRY THEATER--Featured reader Phil Red Eagle, and an open mic. Sun Feb 22 at 7 pm. Globe Cafe, 1531 14th Ave, 547-4585, 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 POETRY SLAM--Open mic and slam with Karen Finneyfrock. Wednesdays at 8 pm. CHAC, 1621 12th Ave, 568-0728, $4.
SEATTLE SPIT--Queer spoken word. First Thursday of every month at 8:30 pm. Wildrose, 1021 E Pike St, 369-2471, free.
STAGE FRIGHT--Youth open mic. Fourth Wednesday of every month at 7 pm. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 322-7030, free.
TAKE A POEM INTO YOUR HEART--Poetry reading. Fourth Friday of every month at 7:15 pm. Lottie Motts Coffee Shop, 4900 Rainier Ave S, 725-8199, free.
OPEN MIC NIGHT--Emceed by P. Dawg. Fourth Wednesday of every month, 7:30 pm, Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600, free.
