The Official Filthy Rich Handbook (Workman, $11.95) is the ultimate voyeurs’ guide to poking fun at—and being extremely jealous of—the ridiculously wealthy. Or so author Christopher Tennant told me recently by phone. He pitches the guide as the “quasi-sequel” to Lisa Birnbach’s 1980 The Official Preppy Handbook. His upper-crust taxonomy tells you where to live (e.g., Medina), what to buy (yachts) and how to dress (strictly Gucci, since Dolce & Gabbana is for the hooker-wannabe nouveau riche). Tennant’s Handbook also diagnoses the psychological afflictions of the rich (including “acquired incompetence disorder” and “germaphobia”). Among our local “geeky boys with lots of toys,” the author naturally cites Microsoft royalty—Paul Allen merits 13 mentions in the Handbook for his lavish spending on jumbo jets and humongous yachts. Tennant, the former founding editor of Radar magazine, says Seattle is now a permanent haven for the filthy rich. Just don’t expect any local billionaires to autograph your copy of the book. Elliott Bay Book Co., 101 S. Main St., 624-6600, www.elliottbaybook.com. Free. 1 p.m. (Also: Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way N.E., 366-3333, www.thirdplacebooks.com. Free. 2 p.m.) JAIME SWINDLE

Wed., June 25, 1 p.m., 2008