Best known for the trippy, eco-minded Southern Reach Trilogy—which later served as the inspiration for the excellent film Annihilation—author Jeff VanderMeer is back with Dead Astronauts, which envisions another mind-bending future. He’s visiting Powell’s to talk all about it, and if that wasn’t enough? He’ll be joined in conversation with Omar El Akkad, whose wildly acclaimed novel American War takes place in a climate-ravaged United States where southern states are attempting to secede, furious over the banning of fossil fuels. Want a glimpse into the future that’ll be surreal and challenging, with moments of unexpected beauty? Tonight’s your night. by Erik Henriksen