In his previous books, Portland’s bestselling rock biographer Peter Ames Carlin took on such influential but largely covered subjects as Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson, and Bruce Springsteen. For his latest, Homeward Bound, Carlin gives us the first major biography of a much more difficult nut to crack: the brilliant but famously taciturn Paul Simon. To celebrate its October release, Carlin’s hosting a reading party and show. He’s invited a bunch of his friends, who of course happen to be some of Portland’s best singers and songwriters: Luz Elena Mendoza, Jim Brunberg, Casey Neill, Ashleigh Flynn, Sarah Gwen, Ezra Holbrook, and others will be offering their takes on the music of the bard of Queens, while Carlin reads excerpts from the book. No word yet on which lucky guest gets to play the role of Art Garfunkel, but the show won’t be complete if no one attempts “Hey Schoolgirl.” SANTI ELIJAH HOLLEY