THURSDAY 4/6

We'll Always Have Paris
Yep, that's the book title, and no, it's not used ironically. My bet: Tonight's reading looks like a lonely Lake Oswego Hausfrau convention with a faux-French twist. Powell's Books on Hawthorne, 3723 SE Hawthorne, 238-1668, 7:30, free

FRIDAY 4/7

Rock and Read
This one's a benefit for the recently relocated In Other Words Books and Rock Power for Girls, the new nonprofit started by the original founder of the Rock & Roll Camp for Girls. Tonight you'll find a cash bar, music, fire dancers, and a table full of reading material from In Other Words. Hip Chicks Do Wine, 4510 SE 23rd, 6-10 pm, $5-50

MONDAY 4/10

Justin Tussing & Rick Barot
Several months ago, I gave Justin Tussing's debut novel, The Best People in the World, an "eh" review, citing murky character motives and a needless subplot. I still maintain that these are problems, but the rest of the book (about an odd threesome who drop out and squat in a Vermont cabin in the '70s) is so good that it more than makes up for these minor issues. Tonight Tussing reads from The Best People with Stanford poetry lecturer Rick Barot. CB Lewis & Clark College, Armstrong Lounge, 0615 SW Palatine Hill Road, 768-7405, 7 pm, free

Halfway House
Katharine Noel's debut novel uses a teenage girl's psychotic breakdown as an entry point to explore family dynamics and emotional and psychological imperfections. Powell's Books on Hawthorne, 3723 SE Hawthorne, 238-1668, 7:30 pm, free