THURSDAY 10/26

Martha Geis
The third in the series of readings from Portland Nocturne, a nonfiction book in progress about Portland through the night. Geis will read "The Zoo at Night." CENTRAL LIBRARY, 801 SW 10th Ave, 248-5234, 6 pm, Free

* Armistead Maupin
This Powell's event is on a first-come, first-served basis, and expect a crowd. Who doesn't love Tales of the City? The Night Listener, however is a little more self-conscious, a lot of "telling" rather than "showing," and a little less fun. It's the story of an aging writer who's lost his partner not to AIDS, as anticipated, but to the lure of the world. He finds new love and compassion as a friend and father figure, forming a relationship with a child protégée--a writer, also coping with AIDS. FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH, 1011 SW 12th Ave, 246-2441, 7:30 pm, Free

Using the Internet
For those who know nothing of the internet and want a guide to get started. INDEPENDENT PUBLISHING RESOURCE CENTER, 917 SW Oak Street, #218, 7-9 pm, $7-15

Chris Bunch: The Last Legion Series
The third installment in a series of galactic military fantasy. POWELL'S-BEAVERTON, 8725 SW Cascade Ave, 643-3131, 7 pm, Free

* Jeffrey McDaniel
"It's hard to separate the humor from the pain." So true, so true. Performance art and written poetry, author of Alibi School and The Forgiveness Parade, McDaniel is making it all new again. REED COLLEGE, PSYCHOLOGY AUDITORIUM, 3203 SE Woodstock, 777-7591, 8 pm, Free


FRIDAY 10/27

Poetry Fling
Poets & poetry lovers all welcome. BARNES & NOBLE, 1720 N Jantzen Beach, 283-2800, 7 pm, Free

West Side Poetry Writer's Group
Last Friday of every month, and all poets welcome. BARNES & NOBLE-BEAVERTON, 18300 NW Evergreen Parkway, 645-3046, 7 pm, Free

The Last Word Literary Open Mic for Women
Open to all local women writers! IN OTHER WORDS, 3734 SE Hawthorne Blvd, 232-6003, 9-11 pm, Free


MONDAY 10/30

How to Go To College Almost For Free Discussion
Benjamin Kaplan's book is all about scholarships just waiting to be won. If you can read the book, you can go on to higher learning. BARNES & NOBLE-BEAVERTON, 18300 NW Evergreen Parkway, 645-3046, 7 pm, Free

* Apocalypse Culture Two
Recommended for some, but not for all, and definitely not for anyone easily influenced--like kids or those on shaky emotional ground. Apocalypse Culture Two picks up where the first volume left off--more essays on fetishism, biological warfare, creepy superstars, and other dark corners. Peter Sotos will read from Lazy, taking a look at the sex industry, and the infamous Jim Goad will read from The Redneck Manifesto. A dark night of pushing boundaries in a clean, well-lit place. POWELL'S CITY OF BOOKS, 1005 W Burnside St, 228-4651, 7:30 pm, Free

* Sharon Doubiago
An amazing poet and an interesting woman, Doubiago has spent most of the last 20 years living in her van, Psyche, on the road. Life isn't all about 401(k) plans and the stairmaster. Dubiago taps into a greater understanding. TALKING EARTH-KBOO RADIO, 10-11 pm


TUESDAY 10/31

2nd Annual B&N Halloween Boo Bash
Stories, refreshments, and prizes! BARNES & NOBLE NORTHEAST (LLOYD CENTER), 1231 NE Broadway, 335-0201, 4 pm, Free

Bunnicula's Hare-brained Halloween Party II
Wear a costume, play some games. For ages 5-10. Call ahead to save yourself a space. BARNES & NOBLE-BEAVERTON, 18300 NW Evergreen Parkway, 645-3046, 6:30 pm, Free


WEDNESDAY 11/1

Women's Focus Book Group
This group meets the first Wednesday of every month. This month, discuss Sweetness of the Soul by Jane Kirkpatrick. BARNES & NOBLE-BEAVERTON, 18300 NW Evergreen Parkway, 645-3046,