Sunday, February 24, 2008

25 MONDAY

6:30 P.M. Nancy D. Polikoff, a professor of law at American University Washington College of Law, discusses and signs Beyond (Straight and Gay) Marriage: Valuing All Families under the Law at Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St. NW, 202-387-7638.

7 P.M. Former CIA analyst Michael Scheuer discusses and signs Marching Toward Hell: America and Islam After Iraq at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-364-1919.

5:50 P.M. Chilean writer Antonio Skarmeta, author of The Postman (Il Postino) and the new novel The Dancer and the Thief presents a lecture, "The Plebiscite or How to Defeat a Dictator Through Poetry," at American University, Washington College of Law, Student Lounge, 4801 Massachusetts Ave. NW. E-mail secle@wcl.american.edu to RSVP. A former ambassador, he will also lecture (in Spanish) on "Writers as Diplomats" on Thursday, Feb. 28, at 6:30 p.m. at the Embassy of Chile, 1732 Massachusetts Ave. NW (e-mail cultural@embassyofchile.org to RSVP) and will also read from and sign his new novel on Friday, Feb. 29, at 7 p.m. at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919.

7 P.M. Olsson's Books-Dupont (1307 19th St. NW) is hosting Martha Grimes, author of Dakota (her second Andi Oliver mystery), discussing the novel in conversation with Neil Barnard, president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. Her book deals with farm animal cruelty and factory farming; Grimes is donating 50 percent of the book's royalties to animal rights groups. For details, call 202-785-1133.

7 P.M. Journalist Fred Kaplan, who currently writes the "War Stories" column at Slate, discusses and signs Daydream Believers: How a Few Grand Ideas Wrecked American Power at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919.

7:30 P.M. Journalist Charles E. Cobb Jr., a founding member of the National Association of Black Journalists and a veteran civil rights activist, discusses On the Road to Freedom: A Guided Tour of the Civil Rights Trail as part of the "National Geographic Live!" series held at the National Geographic Society, Grosvenor Auditorium, 1600 M St. NW. Admission is $18 for nonmembers; call 202-857-7700 or visit http://www.nglive.org to RSVP. He will also speak on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 6:30 p.m. at Busboys and Poets, 202-387-7638.

7 P.M. Edward G. Lengel discusses and signs This Glorious Struggle: George Washington's Revolutionary War Letters at Olsson's Books-Old Town, 106 S. Union St., Alexandria, Va., 703-684-0077.

7 P.M. Mary Kay Andrews reads from and signs her new culinary caper, Deep Dish, at Borders Books-White Flint, 11301 Rockville Pike, Kensington, Md., 301-816-1067.

7 P.M. Alan Drew reads from and signs his first novel, Gardens of Water, at Olsson's Books-Dupont, 202-785-1133.

7:30 P.M. Lisa Scottoline reads from and signs Lady Killer, her new Mary DiNunzio mystery, at Borders Books-Tysons Corner, 8027 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, Va., 703-556-7766.

6:30 P.M. Chuck Schumer, the U.S. senator from New York, discusses and signs his new book, Positively American: Winning Back the Middle-Class Majority One Family at a Time, at Borders Books-Downtown, 18th & L Sts. NW, 202-466-4999.

7 P.M. Washington Post sportswriter Liz Clarke discusses and signs One Helluva Ride: How NASCAR Swept the Nation at Olsson's Books-Penn Quarter, 418 Seventh St. NW, 202-638-7610.

7 P.M. The "Literature Live!" series at the University of the District of Columbia hosts "To Make a Poet Black and Bid Him Sing: A Celebration of the Poets of Cave Canem," a group reading by veterans of the Cave Canem poetry workshop/retreat (founded in 1996 by Cornelius Eady and Toi Derricote, it awards the annual Cave Canem Poetry Prize, honoring the debut work by an African American poet), including Derrick Brown, Carleasa Coates, Kyle Dargan, Hayes Davis, Terri Cross Davis, Deidre Gantt, Randall Horton, Brandon Johnson, Alan King and Venus Thrash in Building 41, Room A03, 4200 Connecticut Ave. NW. A reception and book signing follow; call Marita Golden in the English Department at 202-274-5553 or e-mail mgolden@udc.edu for details.

7:30 P.M. Journalist and historian Mark Perry, co-director of the international political advocacy group Conflicts Forum, discusses and signs Partners in Command: George Marshall and Dwight Eisenhower in War and Peace as part of the "Great Lives Lecture Series" at the University of Mary Washington, George Washington Hall, Dodd Auditorium, 1301 College Ave., Fredericksburg, Va., 540-654-1055.

8 P.M."Washington Writers: Beyond the Capitol" is the theme of the PEN/Faulkner evening of readings and discussion with Edward P. Jones, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Known World and the D.C.-set story collection Lost City, and Ethiopian-born writer Dinaw Mengestu, author of the novel The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears, at the Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol St. SE. A reception and signing follow. Tickets are $15; call 202-544-7077 or visit http://www.folger.edu/pen to RSVP.

9:30 A.M. The Literacy Council of Northern Virginia and Barnes & Noble Booksellers are teaming up to celebrate Read Across America Day, beginning with readings by children's authors Mary Quattlebaum, author of the picture book Family Reunion (illus. by Andrea Shine) and the "Jackson Jones" series, and illustrator Lulu Delacre, author of the bilingual early reader Rafi and Rosi and artist for the new picture book The Storyteller's Candle/La Velita de los Cuentos (written by Lucia Gonzalez), at Barnes & Noble-Market Common, 2800 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, Va., 703-248-8244.

2:00 P.M. The celebration continues with journalist and author A'Lelia Bundles reading from and discussing her bestselling biography, On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker, at Barnes & Noble-Tysons Corner Center, 1961 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean, Va., 703-506-2937.

3 P.M. Steve Alten reads from and signs his new political thriller, The Shell Game, at Borders Books-Winchester, 2420 S. Pleasant Valley Rd., Winchester, Va., 540-535-2243.

2 P.M. The Arlington Central Library, at 1015 N. Quincy St. in Arlington, Va., marks the start of Women's History Month with a discussion with veteran White House reporter Helen Thomas, author of Front Row at the White House: My Life and Times and Watchdogs of Democracy?: The Waning Washington Press Corps and How It Has Failed the Public. A book signing follows; call 703-228-5990 for details.

3 P.M. Children's book author and illustrator Susan Stockdale chats about and signs copies of her new picture book, Fabulous Fishes, at a reception being held in conjunction with the opening of the exhibition "Colors! Shapes! Patterns!: The Picture Book Art of Susan Stockdale" at the Daryl Reich Rubenstein Gallery, Sidwell Friends School, Kogod Arts Center, 3825 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Call 202-537-8145 for details.

The Women's National Book Association is sponsoring a panel discussion, "What Washington Is Reading," on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 7 p.m. at Olsson's Books in Penn Quarter (202-687-7630) with local book authorities Candida Menozzi (owner of Candida's World of Books), Barbara Mead (of the organization Reading Group Choices) and book reviewer Debbi Bruno, among others. For details, visit http://www.wnba-books.org.

The Joaquin Miller Cabin Poetry Series seeks submissions from poets interested in taking part in its 33rd season being held during June and July in Rock Creek Park. Visit http://www.wordworksdc.com/miller_cabin for complete contest guidelines; submissions should be sent (with a self-addressed, stamped envelope) to Rosemary Winslow, Catholic University, Dept. of English, 620 Michigan Ave. NE, Washington, D.C. 20064. Entries must be postmarked by March 31.

The Whitman High School DECA Club is holding a used book sale March 1-2 at 7100 Whittier Blvd., Bethesda, Md. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day (half price on March 2, then "bag day" starting at 3 p.m.). Proceeds benefit the DECA Club and Team River Runner, a volunteer organization that aids U.S. soldiers in their rehabilitation through kayaking. Call 301-787-7327 for details.

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 DC 20071. Our fax number is 202-334-5059; e-mail address is litcal@washpost.com.