Politics and Humor

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Readings & Events

Cecile Andrews Her new lifestyle-advice book is Slow is Beautiful—and she has four readings scheduled this week. Ballard Branch Library, 5614 22nd Ave. N.W., 206-684-4089. 6:30 p.m. Wed. Oct. 25. Elliott Bay Book Co., 4 p.m. Sun. Oct. 29. Montlake Branch Library, 2401 24th Ave. E., 206-684-4720. 6:30 p.m. Mon. Oct. 30. Northgate Branch Library, 10548 Fifth Ave. N.E., 206-386-1980. 6:30 p.m. Wed. Nov. 1.

Kate Atkinson Stephen King loved her last novel, Case Histories; her new follow-up is One Good Turn. University Book Store. 7 p.m. Wed. Oct. 25.

Moi Enomenga This leader of the Huaorani Nation in Ecuador shares the wisdom of the rainforest. University Book Store (Bellevue), 990 102nd Ave. N.E., 425-646-3340. 7 p.m. Wed. Oct. 25.

Richard Ford The Lay of the Land is the latest from this Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist/short story writer. Downstairs at Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255. $5. 7:30 p.m. Wed. Oct. 25.

Derek Gregory The University of British Columbia prof on “Vanishing Points: Law, Violence and Exception in the Global War Prison.” Room 120, Kane Hall, UW campus. Free. 7 p.m. Wed. Oct. 25.

Michael Meade A fresh look at current global traumas through storytelling, poetry, and discussion in “Poetics of Peace: The Water of Life.” Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave. S., 206-684-4710. 7 p.m. Wed. Oct. 25.

Joseph Michelli How a humble Pike Place Market shop conquered the galaxy in The Starbucks Experience. Barnes & Noble (Pacific Place), 600 Pine St., 206-264-0156. 7 p.m. Wed. Oct. 25.

Diana J. Mukpo What’s it like to be married to a Tibetan Buddhist lama? Find out in her memoir Dragon Thunder: My Life with Chögyam Trungpa. Elliott Bay Book Co. 5:30 p.m. Wed. Oct. 25.

Laura Joffe Numeroff The author of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and its sequels presents her new book, When Sheep Sleep. University Book Store (Bellevue), 990 102nd Ave. N.E., 425-646-3340. 10:30 a.m. Wed. Oct. 25.

Coll Thrush Our city from two perspectives in this lecture, “Boom and Bust in the Crossing-Over Place: Linking Seattle’s Native and Urban Histories.” Museum of History and Industry, 2700 24th Ave. E., 206-324-1126, 800-838-3006, www.brownpapertickets.com. $5-$7. 7 p.m. Wed. Oct. 25.

Ian Toll The world’s most powerful military started with just Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy. University Book Store at Mill Creek Center, Bothell-Everett Highway & 153rd St. S.E., 425-385-3530. 7 p.m. Wed. Oct. 25.

Don Winslow A retired hit man is persuaded to un-retire in his The Winter of Frankie Machine. Seattle Mystery Bookshop, 117 Cherry St., 206-587-5737. Noon. Wed. Oct. 25.

Winston S. Churchill Grandson of the former British prime minister, he’ll speak on “Public Leadership in Times of Crisis,” Room 120, Kane Hall, UW campus. Free. 6:30 p.m. Thurs. Oct. 26.

Covering Violence UW professor Roger Simpson, Seattle author Migael Scherer, and investigative reporter Scott North discuss dangers facing journalists. Wessel & Lieberman Booksellers, 208 First Ave. S., 206-282-2677. 7 p.m., Thurs. Oct. 26.

Rebecca Goldstein Her Betraying Spinoza: The Renegade Jew Who Gave Us Modernity recounts his excommunication 350 years ago and its implications today. Benaroya Recital Hall, Third Avenue and Union Street, 1-888-219-5222, www.nextbook.org. $6-$8. 7:30 p.m. Thurs. Oct. 26.

Joe Kurmaskie The Portland cycling evangelist literally tows his two kids across the country in Momentum Is Your Friend: The Metal Cowboy & His Pint-Sized Posse Take on America. Third Place Books. 7 p.m. Thurs. Oct. 26.

Legal Issues for Writers Mark Wittow offers straight talk on copyright issues and fair use, presented by Washington Lawyers for the Arts. Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way S.W., 206-935-2999, www.dnda.org., 800-838-3006, www.brownpapertickets.com. $20-$40. Noon. Thurs. Oct. 26.

Marisa Acocella Marchetto A discussion, in slideshow format, of her graphic novel Cancer Vixen: A True Story, recounting her battle with breast cancer. Eagle Harbor Books, 157 Winslow Way E. (Bainbridge Island), 206-842-5332. 7:30 p.m. Thurs. Oct. 26.

Barack Obama The Illinois senator’s appearance to discuss his new book, The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream, is sold out. Benaroya Hall, Third Avenue and Union Street. $5. 6 p.m. Thurs. Oct. 26.

Robert Pape The University of Chicago professor on “The Growing Threat of Suicide Terrorism.” Room 220, Kane Hall, UW campus, 7:30 p.m. Thurs. Oct. 26.

Racism & the Immigration Debate A forum on the immigration process, anti-immigrant legislative trends across the state and country, and the role of white nationalist groups in the immigration debate. South Seattle Community College, Olympic Hall 120, 6000 16th Ave. S.W. Free. 7 p.m. Thurs. Oct. 26.

R.E. Smith Readings from his book of poetry, A Sweeter Understanding. Parkplace Books (Kirkland), 348 Parkplace Ctr., 425-828-6546. 7 p.m. Thurs. Oct. 26.

Lemony Snicket His exquisitely macabre adventures of the three Baudelaire children (A Series of Unfortunate Events) wraps up with Book the Thirteenth, The End. Stephin Merritt joins him with songs inspired by the series. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-634-3400. $5. 6 p.m. Thurs. Oct. 26.

Will Beall This former beat cop wrote what he knew in his debut crime novel, L.A. Rex. Seattle Mystery Bookshop, 117 Cherry St., 206-587-5737. Noon. Fri. Oct. 27.

Bill BrysonThe Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid is his memoir of growing up in 1950s mid-America. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave. $5. 7:30 p.m. Fri. Oct. 27.

Elizabeth Edwards John Edwards’ wife discusses her battles both with breast cancer and with the GOP in the 2000 election (I’m not equating the two—though she may) in Saving Graces: Finding Solace and Strength from Friends and Strangers. Sponsored by University Book Store. Room 120, Kane Hall, UW campus. $5. 7 p.m. Fri. Oct. 26.

Martha LaGuardia Kotite Tales of heroism in So Others May Live: Coast Guard Reserve Swimmers. Barnes & Noble (Pacific Place), 600 Pine St., 206-264-0156. 12:30 p.m. Fri. Oct. 27.

Marion Nestle This food and nutrition advocate guides eaters healthily through Fast Food Nation in What to Eat: An Aisle-by-Aisle Guide to Savvy Food Choices and Good Eating. Elliott Bay Book Co. 6 p.m. Fri. Oct. 27.

Michelle Orange Memoirs of Italian travels in epistolary form in her The Sicily Papers. University Book Store. 7 p.m. Fri. Oct. 27.

Amy Scheibe Her What Do You Do All Day?, reflections on the life of a SAHM (stay-at-home mom), is new in paper. Elliott Bay Book Co. 7:30 p.m. Fri. Oct. 27.

Pepper Schwartz Following a performance of Harold Pinter’s Betrayal, this relationship expert will discuss relevant issues. Seattle Public Theater, 7312 W. Greenlake Dr. N., 206-524-1300, www.seattlepublictheater.org. $14-$24 (play and discussion). 7:30 p.m. Fri. Oct. 27.

Zaid Abdul-Aziz The former Sonic (and Rocket and Celtic) reads from his new autobiography, Darkness to Sunlight. Jackson Street Books, 2301 S. Jackson St., Ste. 210, 206-324-7000, www.jacksonst-books.com. 7 p.m. Sat. Oct. 28.

Paul Hunter & Judith SkillmanBreaking Ground and Heat Lightning are, respectively, their new poetry collections. Elliott Bay Book Co. 4:30 p.m. Sat. Oct. 28.

William KittredgeThe Willow Field, is the first novel—at age 74—by this “bard laureate of the American West.” Elliott Bay Book Co. 7:30 p.m. Sat. Oct. 28.

Wayne Madsen This investigative journalist and former National Security Agency officer under Reagan connects the dots and reveals the truth about the Bush administration’s nefarious plans in Jaded Tasks, Brass Plates, Black Ops and Big Oil. Trinity Methodist Church, 6512 23rd Ave. N.W. 7 p.m. Sat. Oct. 28.

Bruce Sterling and Alex Steffen Two of the world’s leading green futurists will debate pathways to a bright green world to launch their Worldchanging: A User’s Guide to the 21st Century. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave. $5. 7:30 p.m. Sat. Oct. 28.

Michael DonnellyFalse Harbor, his new mystery, introduces us to journalist Egret Van Gerpin and sculptor Anton Gropius. Eagle Harbor Books, 157 Winslow Way E. (Bainbridge Island), 206-842-5332. 3 p.m. Sun. Oct. 29.

Laura KalpakianAmerican Cookery is the Bellingham author’s novel with recipes. Third Place Books. 5:30 p.m. Sun. Oct. 29.

Yossi Olmert Insight into the Israel situation from this Middle East scholar. Temple De Hirsch Sinai, 3850 156th Ave. S.E., Bellevue. Free. 7:30 p.m. Sun. Oct. 29.

Survivors of Hate Crimes and War A community forum featuring storytelling, writing workshops, a youth poetry slam, and a teacher training workshop. See website for full schedule. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave.,www.openingoftheheart.org. Sun. Oct. 29-Mon. Oct. 30.

Erik LarsonThunderstruck is the latest from this Seattle narrative historian. Elliott Bay Book Co. 7:30 p.m. Mon. Oct. 30.

Amy Sedaris Entertaining tips from the actress in I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence. Sponsored by University Book Store. Neumo’s, 925 E. Pike St. $5-$7. Doors open at 6 p.m. Mon. Oct. 30.

Rory Stewart Journeys through Afghanistan and Iraq recounted in The Places In Between and The Prince of the Marshes: And Other Occupational Hazards of a Year in Iraq. University Book Store. 7 p.m. Mon. Oct. 30.

Haunted Hugo House Trick or treating and storytelling for kids, a haunted basement, horror stories from Bret Fetzer, and a symposium on Dumbledore’s death. (Yes, he’s dead—the question is whether he put Snape up to it.) Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave., 206-322-7030, www.hugohouse.org. Time TBA, Tues. Oct. 31.

RA Salvatore Dragons, kings, elves, and assassins in Road of the Patriarch: The Sellswords, Book III. University Book Store. 7 p.m. Tues. Oct. 31.

Louise WelshThe Bullet Trick is her new tale of a desperate pickpocket losing his touch. Elliott Bay Book Co. 7:30 p.m. Tues. Oct. 31.

Kit Bakke A 19th-century writer reimagined in her Miss Alcott’s Email: Yours for Reforms of All Kinds. Montlake Branch Library, 2401 24th Ave. E., 206-684-4720. 6:30 p.m. Wed. Nov. 1.

Tina Cassidy Everyone’s done it, no one remembers it—Birth: The Surprising History of How we are Born is her in-depth look at this universal human experience. Ravenna Third Place, 6500 20th Ave. N.E., 206-523-0210. 7:30 p.m. Wed. Nov. 1.

Deepak Chopra His latest is Life after Death. University Temple United Methodist Church, 1415 N.E. 43rd St. $5. 7 p.m. Wed. Nov. 1.

Herbert J. Ellison The UW professor emeritus’s new book is Boris Yeltsin and Russia’s Democratic Transformation. Walker-Ames Room, Kane Hall, UW campus. 7 p.m. Wed. Nov. 1.

Stephen King An appearance by the unprecedentedly popular horror master, sponsored by Seattle Arts & Lectures. Benaroya Hall, Third Avenue and Union Street, 206-621-2230, www.lectures.org. $15-$60. 7:30 p.m. Wed. Nov. 1.

Katherine Min Old and new clash within a South Korean family in her Secondhand World. University Book Store. 7 p.m. Wed. Nov. 1.

Jim Olson This prominent local architect, one of the subjects of Art + Architecture: The Ebsworth Collection + Residence, reflects on the interaction of two arts. Elliott Bay Book Co. 7:30 p.m. Wed. Nov. 1.

Meredith & Peter Quartermain Next up on their Subtext monthly experimental writing series. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave., 206-322-7030, www.hugohouse.org. Donation. 7:30 p.m. Wed. Nov. 1.

Esther Schor Emma Lazarus, based on recently-discovered letters, is her new bio of the poet who provided the words inscribed at the base of the Statue of Liberty. Henry Art Gallery, 15th Avenue N.E. and N.E. 41st Street, 1-888-219-5222, www.nextbook.org. $6-$8. 7:30 p.m. Wed. Nov. 1.

Spoken Word/Open Mike

PoetsWest Don Kentop, Sarah Love, and others read. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 18025 Garden Way N.E., 206-682-1268. Woodinville. 7 p.m. Wed. Oct. 25.

Stage Fright An open mike for writers 14-24. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave., 206-322-7030. 7 p.m. Wed. Oct. 25.

AGTV “The kind of great stories you share over a beer or the phone, presented live and uncut for your enjoyment!” Jewel Box Theater at the Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave. $7. 7:30 p.m. Wed. Oct. 25.

Seattle Storytellers Guild Ravenna Third Place Books, 6504 20th Ave. N.E., 206-525-2347. 7:30 p.m. Thurs. Oct. 26.

Poetry Bus Homecoming Having rolled through 50 towns in 50 days, they’ll celebrate their return with readings by Vis-à-Vis Society, Edwin Torres, and others. Sponsored by Wave Books. Space Needle, Skyline Level, 400 Broad St. $5 suggested donation. 8 p.m. Fri. Oct. 27.

Knock Party The literary arts magazine of Antioch University celebrates a new issue with readings by Tish Lester, Kathryn Lebo, and others. Jewel Box Theater at the Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave. Free. 7 p.m. Sun. Oct. 29.