THURSDAY 11/15
Robert Schekley
Science fiction novelist, local Portlander, author of Immortality, Inc., and many others. Northwest Cultural Center, 1819 NW Everett, 228-6972, 7 pm
Dorianne Laux and Joe Millar
Laux is the author of three poetry collections: Smoke, What We Carry, and Awake. Winner of an NEA, a Pushcart Prize, and other major awards. Millar has his own share of big awards, author of Overtime. Portland State University Autzen Gallery, Neuberger Hall, 8 pm
Enduring Patagonia
Some people like this kind of thing: repeated trips to an entirely inhospitable climate, enduring, unbearable winds, outrageous beauty. Gregory Couch made seven trips, and here’s the book detailing his fascination. Powell’s Books on Hawthorne, 3723 SE Hawthorne Blvd, 238-1668, 7:30 pm
Suzan Erem
Labor Pains An insider’s account of building a labor movement and making efforts to organize, while also struggling against the standard issues of dealing with men who dominate the scene, taking charge, making plans, and dismissing a voice when it comes from a body with a vagina. Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St, 228-4651, 7:30 pm
SUNDAY 11/18
Boys Who Rocked The World
Meet the locals who contributed to this anthology. Myles Schmertzler, Michael McGonegal, Lucas Sprague, and Cameron Livermore, all 11 and 12 years old. A follow up to Girls Who Rocked the World, the book intersperses childhood dreams with historic material. Einstein, Matt Goening, Tiger Woods. All boys once. Barnes & Noble, 1720 N Jantzen Beach, 283-2800, 3 pm
Soapstone Benefit
For the two hours of this event, with a special reading by local author Molly Gloss, a percentage of book sales profits is donated in support of Soapstone. Soapstone is a rustic writing retreat for women. Enjoy a reading, buy any book, and know 20 percent goes to the cause. Broadway Books, 1714 NE Broadway, 284-1726, 7 pm
MONDAY 11/19
Murder, Mayhem and Fun Mystery Book Group
Murder at the Old Vicarage, by Jill McGown. Barnes & Noble/Clackamas, 9078 SE Sunnyside Rd, 794-9262, 7 pm
TUESDAY 11/20
Kate Bernheimer
Kate Bernheimer reads from her debut work, The Complete Tales of Ketzia Gold. This book is a collection of linked short stories that move back and forth through time, while also moving from more realistic details to the fantastical and the fabulous, creating a complex and intricately structured unfolding of the protagonist’s existence. It’s an amazing book. Beautiful, sweet, sad and funny. At times the voice brings to mind the sexy, knowing yet naive and desirous voice of the poet Edna St. Vincent Millay. Lovely, challenging and original. Powell’s Books on Hawthorne, 3723 SE Hawthorne Blvd 7:30 pm, free
Willa Schneberg
In The Margins of the World. This local poet reads from her new collection, and from the title alone I can tell it says a lot. Marginalia, outcasts, the fumbled moments. That’s where it all happens. Broadway Books, 1714 NE Broadway, 284-1726, 7 pm
WEDNESDAY 11/21
Song Writers Woodshed
Featuring Casey Neill, Lewi Longmire, and Stephen Ashbrook. White Eagle, 836 N Russel St, 282-6810, 8:30-12 pm, $3