THURSDAY 8/24

Lynn Ames
Lynn Ames may be a "best-selling lesbian author," as the press release claims, but The Flip Side of Desire just sounds horrible. My favorite part of the synopsis involves "model-pretty-but-aging" tennis pro CJ Winslow. The world's looking to her to dispel the myth that all female tennis pros are lesbians, but... wait for the twist—Winslow really is a closeted lesbo! 40-love, great literature! In Other Words, 8 NE Killingsworth, 232-6003, 7:30 pm, free

Loggernaut Reading Series
The Loggernaut readings series is always a sure bet; this month looks extra special. Things kick off with Gina Oschner, whose work appears in little publications you might have heard of like the New Yorker and Tin House. Then Jon Raymond, who is mentioned 64 times in this issue by my count, reads some new work; and finally, Matt Yurdana, author of the poetry collection Public Gestures, brings it all home. Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi, 288-3895, 7:30 pm, $5

Irvine Welsh
See review this issue. Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside, 228-4651, 7:30 pm, free

FRIDAY 8/25

Jose Builds a Woman
Portland author Jan Baross' debut novel draws heavily on Latin American magical realism in this story of a rebellious young woman and the child she conceived with her drowned lover. Baross will also be showing a series of paintings inspired by her visits to Mexico. Mark Woolley Gallery, 120 NW 9th Suite 210, 224-5475, 7:30 pm, free

SUNDAY 8/27

Phase One
The Phase One author/music/spoken word/whatever series at Towne Lounge has quickly become an indispensable facet of Portland's underground literary scene. Musicians and authors follow each other on stage, and the audience seems to appreciate them equally, which attests to Garett Strickland's smart curatorial decisions. This week, he brings you local authors Heather Larimer and Cat Tyc, music from Eux Autres and Robert Louis, and monologist Paul Ash. Towne Lounge, 714 SW 20th Place, doors at 7 pm, free

MONDAY 8/28

Mommies Who Drink
I've just about had it with mothers. (Except for you, Mommy! I love you love you love you! Kisses—your big boy.) As far as I can tell, they only talk about: being tired all the time, needing to lose their "baby weight," how brilliant their moronic children are, how sore their breasts are, and how badly I need to clean my room. Brett Pasel, an actress who's been on Mr. Show and Six Feet Under, seems like another breed of mother, though. She's sick of other moms, gets nostalgic for her days of drugging and slutting it up, and has written this book about how ridiculous the whole parenting thing is. Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside, 228-4651, 7:30 pm, free

Necktie Parties: A History of Legal Executions in Oregon, 1851-1905
Author Diane L. Goeres-Gardner discusses her research methods for this book. For instance, in the prologue, she zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Powell's in Beaverton, 8725 SW Cascade, 643-3131, 7 pm, free

TUESDAY 8/29

Heading South
As if it weren't enough to hear local jazz and Latin music expert Lynn Darroch talk about his experiences with Latin musicians and authors as part of McMenamins' and Community of Writers' "Last Tuesday" reading series, tonight he's going to be accompanied by Alfredo Mura, an "internationally known master of multiple Latin styles." Can I work the word "Latin" into this short more time? Kennedy School, 5736 NE 33rd, 249-3983, 7 pm, free

The Things Between Us
Tin House Editor Lee Montgomery's new memoir hashes through familiar themes of alcoholic parents, dysfunctional families, a dying patriarch, and, of course, love and forgiveness. The early reviews have been mixed, leaning towards the enthusiastic, and a recent reading at Reed College was quite lyrical. Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside, 228-4651, 7:30 pm, free

WEDNESDAY 8/30

To Feel Stuff
See review this issue. Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside, 228-4651, 7:30 pm, free

Classic Book Group
Have you read The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann? Do you think it's worth driving to Beaverton to discuss with other readers? If you answered yes to both these questions, be there by 7 pm and let the discussion begin. Powell's in Beaverton, 8725 SW Cascade, 643-3131, 7 pm, free