We have a book about animals for children, a book about a cooking school, an Olympic skiier, a book about "the fragile line between life and death," and a poetry slam tonight.

We have a a couple of crime stories. Martha Grimes reads at Third Place Books Books this afternoon and a Barnes & Noble tonight. Grimes's Black Cat is "a tale of mystery, madness, and mistaken identity," And Dan Wells reads at University Book Store. I Am Not a Serial Killer is a novel about a teenager who loves serial killers, but doesn't want to become one. His name is John Wayne Cleaver, which is maybe the most stereotypical serial killer name ever.

There will be a Suggests about William Vollmann popping up soon. Kissing the Mask is the newest book by one of the few bona fide geniuses in American literature.

And if crime or non-fiction books about women around the world aren't your thing, Brittany Brand speaks at T.S. McHugh's tonight. As part of a continuing series of science lectures in bars, Ms. Brand will give a lecture titled "Mt. St. Helens, 30 Years After the Blast."

The full readings calendar, including the next week or so, is here. And if you're planning on staying in and you're looking for personalized book recommendations, feel free to tell me the books you like and ask me what to read next over at Questionland.