THURSDAY 4/14

Jim Wallis
Powell's presents Wallis, a Christian who thinks that both the Right and the Left are merging faith and politics in a harmful way. His book God's Politics explains what in God's name that means. First Baptist Church , SW 12th & Taylor, 7:30 pm, free

Loggernaut Reading Series
A new monthly reading series has sprouted, featuring cool authors who have been prompted by a single word. This month catch dope essayist Charles D'Ambrosio, as well as Alicia Cohen and Chelsey Johnson, all responding to the word "cruelty." Gravy , 3947 NE Mississippi, ,

SUNDAY 4/17

Bishop John Selby Spong
Though it's hard to say "Bishop Spong" without giggling, his new book The Sins of Scripture is no laughing matter. It's an extensive overview of historical incidences where the Bible has been used to justify homophobia, anti-Semitism, and a lot more bad stuff. Powell's City of Books , 1005 W Burnside St., 228-4651, 7:30 pm

MONDAY 4/18

Ridley Pearson
The popular thriller writer presents his new book Cut and Run. Powell's City of Books , 1005 W Burnside St., 228-4651, 7:30 pm

Ben Yagoda
Yagoda is an acclaimed journalist and cultural critic, and author of the book About Town: The New Yorker and the World It Made. PSU's Smith Center, Rm. 236 , 1825 SW Broadway, 725-5666, 7:30 pm, free

TUESDAY 4/19

Bill McKibben
He's up against John Irving tonight and the Wordstock juggernaut, but McKibben, the author of the seminal The End of Nature, is well worth checking out if you're hankerin' for a little world consciousness. First Congregational Church , 1126 SW Park Ave, 227-2719, 7:30 pm, call for ticket info

John Irving
Two items of note: 1) Irving has never made a public appearance in Portland, and 2) this is the kickoff event for Wordstock, the hugest-ass literary event this city has ever seen. See www.wordstockfestival.com for the full six-day schedule, and be sure to check our feature, page 14, for profiles of some of the (many, many) headliners. Keller Auditorium , SW 3rd and Clay, 248-4335, 7 pm, $25-35

William T. Vollmann
Vollmann presents another massive historical novel, Europe Central, about, fittingly, central Europe in the 20th century. Powell's City of Books , 1005 W Burnside St., 228-4651, 7:30 pm

WEDNESDAY 4/20

GrassRoots: A Field Guide to Feminist Activism
Authors Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy Richards share from their new book on how to be a woman and fight for social justice, using the tools you didn't even realize your daily life already gives you access to. In Other Words , 3734 SE Hawthorne Blvd, 232-6003, 7 pm

Camille Paglia
See "My, What A Busy Week!" page 17.
Powell's City of Books , 1005 W Burnside St., 228-4651, 7:30 pm