THURSDAY 9/30
* Another Bullshit Night in Suck City
See review this issue. Powell’s Books on Hawthorne, 3723 SE Hawthorne Blvd, 238-1668, 7:30 pm
Richard Bach
The spiritual/philosophical writer of Jonathan Livingston Seagull and The Ferret Chronicles presents his latest endeavor, The Messiah’s Handbook: Reminders for the Advanced Soul. Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St., 228-4651, 7:30 pm
* A. Van Jordan
Guests in Reed’s Visiting Writers Program are generally pretty interesting. Tonight catch Jordan, author of two poetry collections: Rise and M-A-C-N-O-L-I-A, which is about MacNolia Cox, the first African American to compete in the National Spelling Bee. C-O-O-L! Reed College, Psychology Auditorium, 3203 SE Woodstock, 777-7755, 8 pm, free
SATURDAY 10/2
Microcosm Publishing
The cool local publisher Microcosm presents a promotional tour with zinesters Dave Roche and Nicole Georges–who will do an “interactive slideshow”–and filmmaker/artist Joe Biel who will screen a feature-length documentary about zines in the NW. Liberty Hall, 311 N Ivy, 249-8888, 7 pm, $3-5
* Mountain Writers’ Series Autumn Fundraiser
The library/workshop arena/gallery/performance space that is the Mountain Writers Center presents a benefit with readings by Doug Marx, Kevin Sampsell, and Peter Sears, booze and food, a white elephant raffle, and general schmoozing. Call 236-4854 to donate to the raffle. Mountain Writers Center, 3624 SE Milwaukie, 236-4854, 4-9 pm, $10
SUNDAY 10/3
Richard Beban
One-time script writer for Will Vinton Productions, Beban has turned to the far more lucrative genre of “Ecopoetry.” He’ll read from his debut poetry collection What the Heart Weighs. If you’re REALLY into Beban, check his workshop today at 10 am, $20. Mountain Writers Center, 3624 SE Milwaukie, 236-4854, 5 pm, free
MONDAY 10/4
Travels With Barley
Ken Wells presents a tour of the $70 billion beer industry, touching on sellers, drinkers, innovators, and the like. Powell’s Books on Hawthorne, 3723 SE Hawthorne Blvd, 238-1668, 7:30 pm
* Gish Jen
The marvelous Jen presents her third novel, The Love Wife, about a Chinese man’s crazy mother, and the havoc she wreaks on his marriage and family in the States. Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St., 228-4651, 7:30 pm
TUESDAY 10/5
Outside Valentine
Terrence Malik’s seminal film Badlands was inspired by serial killer Charlie Starkweather and his 14-year-old partner Caril Ann Fugate. Now, author Liza Ward presents a book on the subject, from the viewpoint of the son of two of the victims. Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St., 228-4651, 7:30 pm
IPRC Reading
The Independent Publishing Resource Center kicks off a benefit tonight with readings from Mike Daily, funnyman/poet Pecos B, and Penny Dreadful editor Mark Russell. A reception follows. U.S. Bank Room, Central Library, 801 SW 10th Ave, 988-5471, 7 pm
WEDNESDAY 10/6
* T.C. Boyle
See My! What A Busy Week, pg. 19. Literary Arts, at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, SW Broadway and Main, 227-2583, 7:30 pm, $15-25
* Scott Turow
Legal thriller writer Turow has turned serious on us, producing a nonfiction, passionate attack on America’s tolerance of the death penalty: Ultimate Punishment: A Lawyer’s Reflections on Dealing with the Death Penalty. Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St., 228-4651, 7:30 pm