THURSDAY 1/23

Kris Nelscott
Nelscott--whose real name is Kristine Kathryn Rusch--has written a number of popular mysteries, including the crime novel Hitler's Angel, which has a fairly cool title. Northwest Neighborhood Cultural Center, 1819 NW Everett, 228-6972, 7:30 pm

John L'Heureux
Smartypants storyteller L'Heureux will read from his new novel The Miracle. Don't be fooled by the bland title, though; L'Heureux is a clever guy, and his tale of an unorthodox priest who finds his belief system thrown into upheaval by the appearance of a self-doubting older priest is sure to turn some heads. Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St, 228-4651, 7:30 pm, free


MONDAY 1/27

Bem Le Hunte
Le Hunte's debut novel, The Seduction of Silence, sounds almost too spiritually ambitious for its own good. It's about five generations of women, all from the same family, as they travel the earth seeking Hindu enlightenment. It's getting good reviews, though. Powell's Books on Hawthorne, 3723 SE Hawthorne Blvd, 238-1668, 7:30 pm, free


TUESDAY 1/28

Vagabonding
Those who are all grown up will dig this one. Rolf Potts' new book operates under the notion that recent college graduates and aimless drifters AREN'T the only people who can travel the world. Now, you mature career-driven folk can plan for big trips, too! Learn how tonight. Powell's Books on Hawthorne, 3723 SE Hawthorne Blvd, 238-1668, 7:30 pm, free

Calvin Trillin
Trillin's prose is fairly rudimentary, but the tale of his protagonist Tepper in his new book Tepper Isn't Going Out sounds kind of cute. Tepper decides to feed a parking meter all day so he can sit in his car and read newspapers. He receives national media attention for this revolutionary act. Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St, 228-4651, 7:30 pm, free

Cate Marvin & Rick Barot
Hmm. Paying eight dollars to hear anyone read poetry who isn't Billy Collins is a little sketchy. Barot and Marvin don't even have any books of poetry to their credit. Granted, they have been published in mags like The Paris Review and Ploughshares, but still: my money's on the open mics, where the characters are nutty, the atmosphere is cozy, and it's all free. PSU, Smith Memorial Center, 1620 SW Park, 236-4854, 7:30 pm, $8


WEDNESDAY 1/29

Royce Richardson
Author, composer, and artist Richardson presents The Blissmaker, an urban tale about several characters who journey into their own spirituality to learn that everything is of our own choosing, no matter how big a dish of crap we believe life has served us. Barnes & Noble, 1720 N Jantzen Beach, 283-2800, 7:30 pm, free