Literary Calendar
January 14-20, 2008

Sunday, January 13, 2008

14 MONDAY

6:30 P.M. Journalist Charles Enderlin, the Jerusalem bureau chief for channel France 2, discusses and signs The Lost Years: Radical Islam, Intifada, and Wars in the Middle East, 2001-2006 at Borders Books-Downtown, 18th & L Sts. NW, 202-466-4999.

7 P.M. Sue Miller reads from and signs her new novel, The Senator's Wife, at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-364-1919.

15 TUESDAY

11:30 A.M. Architect Shannon Sanders McDonald discusses and signs The Parking Garage: Design and Evolution of a Modern Urban Form at the Library of Congress, James Madison Bldg., West Dining Room, 101 Independence Ave. SE, 202-707-1191.

Noon. Economist and former Fortune 500 CFO Edward S. Miller discusses and signs his new book, Bankrupting the Enemy: The U.S. Financial Siege of Japan Before Pearl Harbor, at the Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Bldg., Whittall Pavilion, 10 First St. SE, 202-707-2138.

3 P.M. Tinsley E. Yarbrough discusses Harry A. Blackmun: The Outsider Justice in conversation with Professor Richard Lazarus of the Georgetown University Law Center and John Ferren, senior judge on the D.C. Court of Appeals, at the Woodrow Wilson Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW (Ronald Reagan Bldg.), fifth floor conference room. A reception follows; call 202-691-4147 to RSVP.

6:30 P.M. Los Angeles Times columnist Jonah Goldberg discusses and signs Liberal Fascism: The Secret History of the American Left, From Mussolini to the Politics of Meaning at Borders Books-Downtown, 202-466-4999.

7:30 P.M. Sarah Honenberger, a prize-winning author of short stories, reads from her first novel, White Lies: A Tale of Babies, Vaccines, and Deception, at the Duncan Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave., Alexandria, Va., 703-838-4566.

7:30 P.M. Dennis Ross, U.S. chief Middle East envoy for both President George H.W. Bush and President Bill Clinton, discusses and signs Statecraft: And How to Restore America's Standing in the World at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, 6125 Montrose Rd., Rockville, Md. Tickets are $8; call the box office at 301-348-3872 to make reservations.

16 WEDNESDAY

6:30 P.M. Artist and children's book author Eric Rohmann, winner of the Caldecott Medal for My Friend Rabbit, reads from and discusses his new picture book, A Kitten Tale, at Barnes & Noble, Tysons Corner Center, 1961 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean, Va., 703-506-2937. He will also read on Thursday, Jan. 17, at 10:30 a.m. at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919.

7 P.M. Tahmima Anam reads from and signs A Golden Age, her first novel, at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919.

7 P.M. The monthly POESIS series features poetry readings by Derrick Weston Brown and Joel Dias-Porter, with music by Shep Williams and friends, at Borders Books-Pentagon Centre, 1201 S. Hayes St., Arlington, Va., 703-418-0166.

17 THURSDAY

6:30 P.M. Dario Castagno discusses A Day in Tuscany: More Confessions of a Chianti Tour Guide (written with Robert Rodi), the sequel to his memoir Too Much Tuscan Sun, at Candida's World of Books, 1541 14th St. NW, 202-667-4811. He will also discuss his new DVD, "My Chianti."

6:45 P.M. Physicist Lawrence M. Krauss, a professor at Case Western Reserve University, discusses his recent book, The Physics of Star Trek, at the National Academy of Sciences, 2101 Constitution Ave. NW (enter at 2100 C St. NW) as part of the Smithsonian Resident Associate Program. Tickets are $40 for nonmembers; call 202-633-3030 or visit http://www.smithsonianassociates.org to RSVP.

18 FRIDAY

7:30 P.M. Creative writing professor Ellis Avery reads from and signs her new historical novel, The Teahouse Fire (the author is also a student of the Japanese tea ceremony), at Borders Books-Baileys Crossroads, Route 7 at Columbia Pike, Baileys Crossroads, Va., 703-998-0404.

8 P.M. Thomas McGuane, author of the novels To Skin a Cat and Nothing But Blue Skies and (most recently) the short story collection Gallatin Canyon, reads from and discusses his work at the Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol St. SE. A reception and book signing follow. Tickets for this PEN/Faulkner event are $15 each; call 202-544-7077 or visit http://www.penfaulkner.org to RSVP.

19 SATURDAY

3 P.M. Former secretary of state Madeleine Albright signs (no discussion) copies of her new book, Memo to the President Elect: How We Can Restore America's Reputation and Leadership, at Borders Books-Tysons Corner, 8027 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, Va., 703-556-7766.

4 P.M. Journalist and former local news anchor T.D. (Del) Walters reads from and signs his new political thriller, The Race, at Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St. NW, 202-387-7638.

6 P.M. Jacob Heilbrunn discusses and signs They Knew They Were Right: The Rise of the Neocons at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919.

20 SUNDAY

10 A.M. Activist Tony Hall, a former ambassador and U.S. congressman, discusses his recent book, Changing the Face of Hunger: The Story of How Liberals, Conservatives, Republicans, Democrats, and People of Faith are Joining Forces in a New Movement to Help the Hungry, the Poor, and the Oppressed, as part of "The Sunday Forum: Critical Issues in the Light of Faith," a weekly series held prior to the 11 a.m. service at the Washington National Cathedral, hosted by Dean Sam Lloyd. The cathedral is located at Wisconsin & Massachusetts Aves. NW; for details, visit http://www.nationalcathedral.org.

5 P.M. Rachel Pastan reads from and signs her new novel, Lady of the Snakes, at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919.

5:30 P.M. Comedian Finesse Mitchell, a veteran of stand-up, a "Saturday Night Live" alum and a relationship columnist for Essence magazine, discusses his new book, Your Girlfriends Only Know So Much: A Brother's Take on Dating and Mating for Sistas, at the Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington, Va., 703-228-5990. A book signing follows.

SPECIAL NOTICES

The Word Works is seeking submissions for the 28th annual Washington Prize, awarded each year for a manuscript of previously unpublished, original poetry by a living American writer. Manuscripts should be 48 to 64 pages; the author's name, address, phone number, e-mail address and signature should appear on the title page only (there are further manuscript stipulations, so be sure to visit http://www.wordworksdc.com). Manuscripts will not be returned, but send a self-addressed, stamped business envelope to be notified of the contest results. An entry fee of $25 applies. Entries will be accepted Jan. 15 through March 1. Send to: Steven B. Rogers, Word Works Washington Prize, 3201 Taylor St., Mt. Rainier, Md. 20712.

Beth El Hebrew Congregation, located at 3830 Seminary Rd. in Alexandria, Va., will hold its annual book sale (which includes cassette tapes, CDs and DVDs) on Sunday, Jan. 20, and Monday, Jan. 21, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Call 703-978-3953 for details.

The Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia will hold its second annual Jewish Book Festival January 13-21 at 8900 Little River Tnpk. in Fairfax, Va. The celebration opens Sunday, Jan. 13, at noon with a "Bagels, Books and Local Author Expo," as area writers mingle with readers. Other highlights include Philip Lerman, former national editor of USA Today, discussing his book Dadditude: How a Real Man Became a Real Dad on Tuesday, Jan. 15, at 7:30 p.m.; Ambassador Dennis Ross discusses Statecraft: And How to Restore America's Standing in the World on Thursday, Jan. 17, at 8 p.m.; and local professor Iris Krasnow discusses I Am My Mother's Daughter: Making Peace With Mom -- Before It's Too Late at an afternoon tea on Sunday, Jan. 20, at 2 p.m. Each event requires a ticket (prices vary); visit http://www.jccnv.org or call 703-537-3036 for complete 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.