THURSDAY 1/16

Douglas Watson
In the dark shadows of Darkhaven, mysterious Shadows encroach forward, destroying every village they see. Only the solver Jurin, licensed in the art of logical deduction, can stop them with his hand-picked army of mages and warriors. All this and more in Watson's new book... Darkhaven. Annie Bloom's Books, 7834 SW Capitol Hwy, 246-0053, 7:30 pm, free

Natural Health: Using the Horoscope as a Key to Ancient Healing Practices
Jonathan Keyes' new book kills two new age/yupster birds with one stone: natural remedy, and astrology. Still, an interesting idea. Barnes & Noble, 1720 N Jantzen Beach, 283-2800, 7:30 pm, free

Friends of William Stafford
The William Stafford juggernaut rolls on, as writers continue to meet and read in the dead poet's honor. Tonight's lineup includes Brian Doyle, Jonathan Nicholas, Marilyn Sewell, Barbara Stafford, and more. Central Library, 801 SW 10th Ave, 988-5234, 7 pm, free


FRIDAY 1/17

Monique Douglass-Andrews
Her memoir, From Ghetto to Glory, is a moving account of her life as an African American woman dealing with sexual abuse, healing, and forgiveness. Barnes & Nobel, Lloyd Center, 1317 Lloyd Center, 249-0800, 7 pm, free


SATURDAY 1/18

The Gobshite Quarterly Poetry Slam and Musical Extravaganza
Poetry lovers will dig this one: it's a poetry slam with lots of booze and music, including Solo Dos En Tijuana, the bellydancing Children of Paradise, and more. Interested in slamming at the event? Contact gobq@gobshitequarterly.com for details. Jasmine Tree, 401 SW Harrison St, 223-7956, 9 pm, $5


MONDAY 1/20

Literature in Performance
To honor the great man's birthday, local actress Quigley Provost-Landrum reads a selection of speeches, letters, and writings by Martin Luther King, Jr. Borders Books and Music, 708 SW 3rd Ave, 221-9814, 7 pm, free


TUESDAY 1/21

Patrick Rosenkrantz
Reading and signing from the author of Rebel Visions: The Underground Comix Revolution. It's everything you ever wanted to know about guerilla comix, but were afraid to ask. Borders-Beaverton, 2605 SW Cedar Hills, 644-1498, 7 pm, free

Mariel Hemingway
The has-been mediocre film star has written a memoir about finding harmony in her life through the power of Yoga. I don't trust it. Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St, 228-4651, 7:30 pm, free


WEDNESDAY 1/22

Rick Shafer
Photos of Oregon's beautiful landscape, which comprise Shafer's new book Oregon IV, are only mildly exciting, but an introduction by cool creepy novelist Craig Lesley is. That said, it's not like Lesley's going to be here tonight; the event is just a slide show. Borders Books and Music, 708 SW 3rd Ave, 221-9814, 7 pm, free

George Plimpton
Author of famed sports books Out of My League and The Bogey Man, Plimpton is also the editor of the Paris Review, one of the coolest literary journals around, and has written for magazines from Sports Illustrated to Esquire. He's even acted, appearing in films like Reds and L.A. Story. At the very least, he will be interesting. Literary Arts, at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, SW Broadway and Main, 227-2583, 7:30 pm, $23

Richard Price
You never hear this guy's name out here in the West; maybe because he focuses primarily on low-income urban life in New York and the surrounding areas. Regardless, his prose is as sharp as it gets; his dialogue like fine wine. Though his new one, Samaritan, is more flawed than some of his soon-to-be classics like Clockers and The Wanderers, it's still a book any normal writer would be proud to have in their portfolio. Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St, 228-4651, 7:30 pm, free