Literary Calendar

7 P.M. Washington Post reporter Dana Milbank, author of the "Washington Sketch" column, discusses and signs his new book, Homo Politicus: The Strange and BarbaricTribes of the Beltway, at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919.

7:30 P.M. Journalist Michael Richman discusses and signs The Redskins Encyclopedia at the Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Rd., Alexandria, Va., 703-768-6700.

7:30 P.M. The Nora School Reading Series hosts a "Music & Poetry Night" with Sydney March (poetry, saxophone and flute), Davi Walders (poetry) and Douglas Wolters (cello) at the Nora School, 955 Sligo Ave., Silver Spring, Md., 301-495-6672.

8 P.M. Brad Hirschfield, rabbi and president of the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, discusses his new book, You Don't Have to Be Wrong for Me to Be Right: Finding Faith Without Fanaticism, in conversation with Iman Johari at Busboys and Poets, 202-387-7638. A book signing follows.

11 FRIDAY

Noon. Michael Shermer, a columnist for Scientific American and the publisher of Skeptic magazine, discusses and signs his new book, The Mind of the Market: Compassionate Apes, Competitive Humans, and Other Tales from Evolutionary Economics, at the Cato Institute, 1000 Massachusetts Ave. NW. Call 202-789-5229 or e-mail events@cato.org to RSVP. He will also speak on Saturday, Jan. 12, at 2 p.m. at the National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Va. For more details on this event, presented by the National Capital Area Skeptics, call 301-587-3827.

7 P.M. Bangladeshi economist Muhammad Yunus, winner of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for his work with microcredit in impoverished communities (via the Grameen Bank), discusses his new book, Creating a World Without Poverty: Social Business and the Future of Capitalism, at the Wesley United Methodist Church, 5312 Connecticut Ave. NW, in an event sponsored by Politics and Prose Bookstore. Two tickets come with purchase of the book at P&P; otherwise, tickets are $12 each. For details, call 202-364-1919.

7 P.M. Dominique Paul reads from and signs The Possibility of Fireflies, her new young adult novel, at Olsson's Books-Old Town, 106 S. Union St., Alexandria, Va., 703-684-0077. She will also read on Saturday, Jan. 12, at 1 p.m. at Borders Books-Fairfax, 11054 Lee Hwy., Fairfax, Va., 703-359-8420.

12 SATURDAY

2 P.M. Anna Post, great-great-granddaughter of etiquette authority Emily Post, discusses her new illustrated book, Emily Post's Wedding Parties: Smart Ideas for Stylish Parties from Engagement to Reception and Everything in Between, at the Harriet Kassman Bridal Salon, Mazza Gallerie (second floor), 5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-363-1870.

3 P.M. Children's author Doreen Cronin and illustrator Betsy Lewin read from and discuss the re-issue of their picture book Duck for President at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919. A book signing follows.

13 SUNDAY

6 P.M. The Iota Poetry Series opens its Winter 2008 season with readings by Christopher Conlon and Lyn Lifshin at the Iota Club & Cafe, 2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Va., 703-522-8340.

SPECIAL NOTICES

The second annual Jewish Book Festival, sponsored by the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, will be held Jan. 13-21 at 8900 Little River Turnpike in Fairfax, Va. Authors scheduled to participate include novelist Yael Goldstein, journalist Hanna Rosin and ambassador Dennis Ross. More details here next week; in the meantime, visit http://www.jccnv.org.

The Literacy Council of Montgomery County will hold two orientation sessions for volunteers interested in helping adults learn to read, write and speak English: Monday, Jan. 7, at 7:30 p.m. at the Wheaton Library, 11701 Georgia Ave., Wheaton, Md., and Tuesday, Jan. 15, at 7:30 p.m. at the Rockville Library, 21 Maryland Ave., Rockville, Md. Once volunteers have completed the orientation, they can select a two-part training session that fits their schedules; call 301-610-0030 or e-mail info@literacycouncilmcmd.org for details.

The Literacy Volunteers of America, Prince William County chapter, will hold a two-part training session for volunteers interested in helping adults improve their reading and writing skills on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 2, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Chinn Park Regional Library, 13065 Chinn Park Dr., Woodbridge, Va. There is a one-time fee of $30 to cover the cost of textbooks and materials. For details and to register, call 703-670-5702, e-mail lvapw@aol.com or visit http://www.lvapw.org

How to submit your Literary Calendar Event to Book World

All submissions must be received no later than 14 days prior to the Sunday you wish the item to appear. Priority will be given to literary events that are free and open to the public. Submissions should be sent to: Literary Calendar/Book World, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071. Our fax number is 202-334-5059; e-mail address is litcal@washpost.com