Literary Calendar

August 20-25, 2007

20 MONDAY

1 P.M. Donna Andrews reads from and signs her new Meg Langslow mystery, The Penguin Who Knew Too Much, as part of the "Mystery Monday Lunchtime Series" sponsored by the Mystery Writers of America (Mid-Atlantic Branch) at Chapters Literary Bookstore, 445 11th St. NW, 202-737-5553. She will also read on Tuesday, Aug. 21, at 7:30 p.m. at Borders Books-Baileys Crossroads, Route 7 at Columbia Pike, Baileys Crossroads, Va., 703-998-0404.

6 P.M. Julia Serano, a writer, biologist and performance artist, discusses and signs Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity at Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St. NW, 202-387-7638.

21 TUESDAY

7 P.M. Diana Peterfreund reads from and signs her new "Ivy League" novel, Under the Rose (the sequel to Secret Society Girl) at Borders Books-White Flint, 11301 Rockville Pike, Kensington, Md., 301-816-1067.

7 P.M. Lee Gutkind, founder and editor of the literary journal Creative Nonfiction, reads selections from the new anthology, The Best Creative Nonfiction, Vol. 1 (the launch of an annual series), at Olsson's Books-Dupont, 1307 19th St. NW, 202-785.1133.

7 P.M. Novelist Mary Gordon discusses Circling My Mother, a memoir of her mother, Anne (who died in 2002), at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-364-1919.

22 WEDNESDAY

7 P.M. Washington Post reporter Alec Klein discusses and signs A Class Apart: Prodigies, Pressure, and Passion Inside One of America's Best High Schools (a look at Stuyvesant High School, of which Klein is an alum) at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919.

7 P.M. Poets Cliff Bernier and Katherine E. Young read from their work as part of the monthly series "A Space Inside" held at Riverby Books, 417 East Capitol St. SE, 202-543-4342.

7 P.M. The Arlington Writers Group hosts a discussion with Washington Post business reporter David Hilzenrath about his new novel, Jezebel's Tomb, which was serialized on washingtonpost.com (and is available at http://www.lulu.com), at Barnes & Noble-Clarendon, 2800 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, Va., 703-248-8251. The group meets each Wednesday at this time and locale; for details, visit http://www.writers.meetup.com/499.

23 THURSDAY

6:30 P.M. Victoria Christopher Murray signs copies of The Ex Files: A Novel About Four Women and Faith at Karibu Books, the Mall at Prince George's, 3500 East-West Hwy., Hyattsville, Md., 301-559-1140.

7 P.M. Dana Thomas, a cultural and fashion writer for Newsweek, discusses and signs Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919.

25 SATURDAY

11 A.M. Management consultant and speaker Dan Coughlin presents a mini workshop drawn from his new book, Accelerate: 20 Practical Lessons to Boost Business Momentum, at Barnes & Noble-Gaithersburg, 21 Grand Corner Ave., Gaithersburg, Md., 301-721-0860.

Noon. The John M. Porter Branch of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library is hosting its "Annual Local Authors Book Signing Party" which will feature Traci Hunter Abramson, Sarah Honenberger, Sandra Manigault, William Saffell and Emory Townsley, along with refreshments. The library is at 2001 Parkway Blvd., Stafford, Va., 540-659-4909.

2 P.M. Local author Angeline Bandon-Bibum signs her first novel, Sojourner's Dream, at Karibu Books, Centre at Forestville, 3289 B Donnell Dr., Forestville, Md., 301-736-6170.

2 P.M. Artist Helen White discusses her memoir Lipstick and a Smile: One Nam Nurse Story, an illustrated reflection on her experience from March 1969 to March 1970 as an orthopedic nurse in the Qui Nhon 67th Evacuation Hospital during the Vietnam War, at the National Museum of Health and Medicine, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Building 54, 6900 Georgia Ave. NW (at Elder St.), 202-782-2200. A book signing follows.

2 P.M. Pam Ehrenberg, author of the children's novel Ethan Suspended; S. James Guitard, author of Chocolate Thoughts: Short Stories, Essays and Poetry from the Hearts and Minds of Real Black Men; Mary Claire Mahaney, author of the novel Osaka Heat; and TJ Perkins, author of the "Kim & Kelly Mysteries" children's series, gather together for a "Local Author Expo" being held at Barnes & Noble, Tysons Corner Center, 1961 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean, Va., 703-506-2937.

SPECIAL NOTICES

The Literacy Council of Montgomery County will hold an orientation session for volunteers interested in helping adults learn to read, write and speak English on Monday, Aug. 20, at 7:30 p.m. at the Gaithersburg Library, 18330 Montgomery Village Ave., Gaithersburg, Md. Another session is set for Wednesday, Aug. 29, at 7:30 p.m. at the Rockville Library, 21 Maryland Ave., Rockville, Md. Call 301-610-0030 or e-mail info@literacycouncilmcmd.org for details.

The Literacy Council of Northern Virginia will hold a basic literacy training workshop for volunteers interested in helping adults learn to read, write and speak English beginning on Saturday, Aug. 25, and continuing on the Saturdays of Sept. 8 and 15, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day (must attend all sessions) at the James Lee Community Center, 2855 Annandale Rd., Falls Church, Va. A $35 fee (to cover cost of materials and instruction) applies; call 703-237-0866 or visit http://www.lcnv.org for details and to register.