THURSDAY 2/19

* Barry Lopez
The incredibly skilled nature writer shares from Vintage Lopez, a collection of poetry, short stories, and essays. Lopez will also present the long-awaited collection of Langston Hughes stuff, Vintage Hughes, which is a bit random, but what the hell. Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside, 228-4651, 7:30 pm, free


SUNDAY 2/22

Elizabeth Robinson & Maryrose Larkin
Two poets wax poetically. Robinson has authored six collections, including Pure Descent and Larkin co-edits the neat poetry postcard press FLASH+CARD. Spare Room, at Pacific Crest Community School, 3624 SE Milwaukie, 236-0867, 7:30 pm, $5 suggested donation


MONDAY 2/23

* Anything You Say Can and Will Be Used Against You
One-time cop Laurie Lynn Drummond's debut is a collection of short crime fiction far more engaging, economical, and gritty than its clumsy title suggests. Powell's Books on Hawthorne, 3723 SE Hawthorne Blvd, 238-1668, 7:30 pm, free

Ian Rankin
Rankin reads and signs his latest book, A Question of Blood, the latest mystery starring the never-boring Edinburgh detective John Rebus. Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside, 228-4651, 7:30 pm, free


TUESDAY 2/24

David Ferris
A Portland physician presents his first medical thriller, Lie Still, the story of a surgery resident's twisted affair with a beautiful brain surgeon. Perhaps Ferris should try the fantasy genre at some point... Broadway Books, 1714 NE Broadway, 284-1726, 7 pm, free

Joe Kurmaskie
The Portland United Mountain Pedalers (PUMP) club brings the cycling tourist and popular author Kurmaskie--also known as The Metal Cowboy--to their monthly meeting so he can regale them with tales of the road. Try not to step on a dog on your way in. Lucky Lab , 915 SE Hawthorne, 7:30 pm


WEDNESDAY 2/25

* Lucille Clifton
As part of Black History Month, a huge name comes to Reed. Clifton is one of the best poets and authors of children's books out there. Kaul Auditorium, Reed College, 3203 SE Woodstock, 777-7755, 8 pm, free

Jeffrey St. Clair
Co-editor of the unabashedly slanted website www.counterpunch.com, St. Clair is also a well-published journalist. Tonight he'll read from Been Brown So Long it Looked Like Green to Me, an excellent diatribe on how money and politics impact the environment in this forsaken country. Millar Library at PSU, 1875 SW Park, 725-4552, Sat 7:30 pm

* Clear Cut Future
The new Oregon publishing house Clear Cut Press makes beautiful little books written by top-notch authors. The Clear Cut Future is its first publication, a literature/poetry/arts anthology with works by authors like Howard Robertson, Grant Cogswell, and Casey Sanchez, all of whom will be in attendance tonight. Editor Matthew Stadler will also be on hand. Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside, 228-4651, 7:30 pm