THURSDAY 4/27

When All is Said and Done
Whoa—here's what AM Homes said about Portland author Robert Hill: "This book reminds me of Cheever and Yates, and a young Rick Moody." That's an awfully nice thing to say! Hill's debut novel explores the family dynamics of an early '60s household, and is narrated alternately by the story's husband and wife. Annie Bloom's Books, 7834 SW Capitol Hwy, 246-0053, 7:30 pm, free

FRIDAY 4/28

Forensic Detective
Here's the official drinking game for Forensic Detective: How I Cracked the World's Toughest Cases: One shot every time "CSI" is mentioned; two shots every time "dental records" are brought up; and three shooters every time you hear the phrase "dried semen found inside a desiccated vagina." Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside, 228-4651, 7:30 pm, free

MONDAY 5/1

Indecision
Critics are conflicted on Benjamin Kunkel's debut novel about an ennui-plagued terminal adolescent who takes medication to make him less commitment-phobic. The New Yorker said that it was derivative of Don DeLillo and "is yet another novel in which a charming, Nick Hornby-style layabout is mechanically cajoled into semi-maturity." But Jay McInerney said that it's the "funniest and smartest coming-of-age novel in years." Hm. Guess you'll have to make up your own mind. Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside, 228-4651, 7:30 pm, free

How Evan Broke His Head and Other Secrets
Powell's is giving it to you like this: You can see one Nick Hornby-derived author at the downtown store (see above listing), or you can catch this one on the eastside. This one's about a Seattle rock musician. Whee. Powell's Books on Hawthorne, 3723 SE Hawthorne, 238-1668, 7:30 pm, free

WEDNESDAY 5/3

The Messiah of Morris Avenue
Mercury News Editor Scott Moore likes this book so much that he's badgering the entire staff of the paper to read it. It's a comic novel that imagines Jesus coming back as a Mexican youth, and the back of the book sports a blurb by George Carlin. If you read this book, Scott Moore will be your best friend for life. Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside, 228-4651, 7:30 pm, free