Literary Calendar

7 P.M. Jim Rasenberger discusses and signs America 1908: The Dawn of Flight, the Race to the Pole, the Invention of the Model T and the Making of a Modern Nation at Olsson's Books-Dupont, 1307 19th St. NW, 202-785-1133.

7:30 P.M. Gregory S. Smith, vice president and chief information officer at the World Wildlife Fund, discusses and signs How to Protect Your Children on the Internet: A Road Map for Parents and Teachers at Barnes & Noble-Rockville, 12089 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Md., 301-881-0237.

15 THURSDAY

Noon. Tyler Cowen, a professor of economics at George Mason University, discusses Discover Your Inner Economist: Use Incentives to Fall in Love, Survive Your Next Meeting, and Motivate Your Dentist in conversation with journalist Emily Joffe at the Cato Institute, 1000 Massachusetts Ave. NW. Call 202-789-5229 or e-mail events@cato.org to RSVP.

6 P.M. The Alliance Francaise is co-sponsoring a lecture and discussion with Caroline Weber for her book Queen of Fashion: What Marie Antoinette Wore to the Revolution (recently published in paperback) at the Hillwood House Museum and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Ave. NW. Admission is $15 for the general public; for details and to RSVP, call 202-686-5807 or visit http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org.

7 P.M. Edward Ball discusses and signs The Genetic Strand: Exploring a Family History Through DNA at Olsson's Books-Penn Quarter, 202-638-7610.

7 P.M. Victor J. Banis reads from and signs Longhorns, his new racy gay western, at Lambda Rising, 1625 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-462-6969.

7 P.M. Tom Perrotta reads from and signs his new novel, The Abstinence Teacher, at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919.

7 P.M. Vince Flynn reads from and signs his new Mitch Rapp novel, Protect and Defend, at Olsson's Books-Crystal City, 2200 Crystal Dr., Arlington, Va., 703-413-8121. He will also read on Friday, Nov. 16, at 7:30 p.m. at Borders Books-Baileys Crossroads, 703-998-0404.

7:30 P.M. Robert A. Schuller, senior pastor at the Crystal Cathedral in California, discusses and signs his new book, Walking in Your Own Shoes: Discover God's Direction for Your Life at Barnes & Noble-Rockville, 301-881-0237.

7:30 P.M. Legal journalist Stuart Taylor discusses and signs Until Proven Innocent: Political Correctness and the Shameful Injustices of the Duke Lacrosse Rape Case (written with KC Johnson) at Borders Books-Bethesda, 4801 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda, Md., 301-986-1761.

8 P.M. The MFA in Creative Writing Program at George Washington University hosts an evening with four writers participating in the University of Iowa's International Writing Program: Hana Andronikova, a novelist from the Czech Republic; Nirwan Dewanto, a poet and essayist from Indonesia; Alex Epstein, a fiction writer from Israel; and Vijay Nair, a playwright and novelist from India, all of whom will read from and discuss their work at the Marvin Center Amphitheater, 800 21st St. NW. Call 202-994-6180 for details.

16 FRIDAY

1 P.M. Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter and social activist Ani DiFranco discusses her new book, Verses (a compilation of poetry and painting), at All Souls Unitarian Church, 1500 Harvard St. NW. Louise Green, the church's social justice minister, will act as moderator. This event is free, but space is limited; books, CDs and a limited number of signed copies will be available for sale. Call 202-332-5266 for details.

7 P.M. Children's author Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, author of the Newbery Medal-winning novel Shiloh, presents "Shiloh and Other Stuff," a program celebrating National Children's Book Week (Nov. 12-18) at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Pkwy., Fairfax, Va. For further details and to RSVP, call 703-324-8428 or e-mail libraryevents@fairfaxcounty.gov.

7 P.M. Professor David W. Blight, director of Yale University's Gilder Lehrman Center for the Study of Slavery, Resistance, and Abolition, discusses and signs A Slave No More: Two Men Who Escaped to Freedom, Including Their Own Narratives of Emancipation at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919.

17 SATURDAY

1 P.M. Frank Fuerst discusses and signs Alzheimer's Care with Dignity: The Must-Have Handbook to Help You Care for Your Loved One at Home with Dignity and Respect at Borders Books-Manassas, 11270 Bulloch Dr., Manassas, Va., 703-368-9824.

2 P.M. Susan Shankle, a licensed clinical social worker, discusses What in the World Are Your Kids Doing Online?: How to Understand the Electronic World Your Children Live In (written with Barbara Melton) at Borders Books-Tysons Corner, 703-556-7766.

2 P.M. Barbara Firestone, founder and CEO of the autism awareness nonprofit organization The Help Group, discusses and signs Autism Heroes: Portraits of Families Meeting the Challenge at Barnes & Noble-Potomac Yard, 3651 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Alexandria, Va., 703-299-9124.

4 P.M. Sherrie Eldridge reads from and discusses her new children's picture book, Forever Fingerprints: An Amazing Discovery for Adopted Children (illustrated by Rob Williams), at Candida's World of Books, 1541 14th St. NW, 202-667-4811.

18 SUNDAY

1 P.M. Daniel Walker Howe discusses and signs What Hath God Wrought: The Transformation of America, 1815-1848 (part of the "Oxford History of the United States") at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919.