Sherman Alexie is the best reason in the world to cram yourself into a bookstore basement with the entire population of Seattle. Heâs funny as hellââlike a standup comedian,â Iâve heard Alexie virgins exclaimâand he understands that readings are performance. An Alexie reading is not just about communication, itâs about empathyâmaking a room full of people feel the exact same emotion at the exact same time. Tonight, heâs debuting his new book of poetry, What Iâve Stolen, What Iâve Earned, and heâll autograph copies for the perfect Seattle-centric Christmas gift. (Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, elliottbaybook.com, 7 pm, free)