September 15-28, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
15 MONDAY
6:30 P.M. Ambassador James F. Dobbins, a former special envoy and assistant secretary of state for Europe, discusses his new book, After the Taliban: Nation-Building in Afghanistan, in an event sponsored by the World Affairs Council of Washington, D.C., at 1800 K St. NW, B1 conference room. A reception and book signing will follow. Admission is $15 for the general public, $10 for council members. Call 202-293-1051 or e-mail event@worldaffairsdc.org to RSVP.
7 P.M. Journalist Bob Schieffer, CBS News chief Washington correspondent and the host of "Face the Nation," discusses and signs his new memoir, Bob Schieffer's America, at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-364-1919. He will also speak on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 7:30 pm. at Borders Books-Baileys Crossroads, Route 7 at Columbia Pike, Baileys Crossroads, Va., 703-998-0404.
7 P.M. Linn Ullmann reads from and signs her new novel, The Blessed Child, at Olsson's Books-Dupont, 1307 19th St. NW, 202-785-1133.
7 P.M. Dave Zirin, author of the weekly on-line column "The Edge of Sports," discusses and signs his new book, A People's History of Sports in the United States: 250 Years of Politics, Protest, People, and Play, at the Shirlington Branch Public Library, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington, Va., 703-228-6545. A book signing will follow at 8:30 p.m. across the street at Busboys and Poets (Shirlington), 4251 S. Campbell Ave., Arlington, Va., 703-379-9756. He will also speak on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 6:30 p.m. at Busboys and Poets (D.C.), 2021 14th St. NW, 202-387-7638.
16 TUESDAY10:30 A.M. Irish children's author Michael Scott, a folklore and mythology expert, reads from The Magician: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, the second book in his fantasy series, at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919. He will also read that evening at 7 p.m. at Borders Books-Fairfax, 11054 Lee Hwy., Fairfax, Va., 703-359-8420, and again on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 4:30 p.m. at Aladdin's Lamp Children's Bookstore, 2499 N. Harrison St., Arlington, Va. Call 703-241-8281 to RSVP.
6 P.M. Matt Weiland and Sean Wilsey discuss the new anthology State by State: A Panoramic Portrait of America (fresh takes on each of the 50 states and D.C. inspired by the Federal Writers' Project's "American Guide" series of the 1930s and '40s) as part of the "Books & Beyond" series at the Library of Congress, James Madison Bldg., Montpelier Room, 101 Independence Ave. SE, 202-707-5221.
7 P.M. Francine Prose reads from and signs her new novel, Goldengrove, at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919. She will also read on Friday, Sept. 26, at 7:30 p.m. at Borders Books-Baileys Crossroads, 703-998-0404.
17 WEDNESDAY7 P.M. Thomas W. Young, a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with the West Virginia National Guard, discusses and signs The Speed of Heat: An Airlift Wing at War in Iraq and Afghanistan at the Shirlington Branch Public Library, 703-228-6545.
7 P.M. This month's POESIS series presents a reading by poets Kenneth Carroll and Holly Bass, with music by Shep Williams and friends, at Borders Books-Pentagon Centre, 1201 S. Hayes St., Arlington, Va., 703-418-0166.
18 THURSDAY10:30 A.M. Children's author and illustrator Graeme Base reads from and discusses his new picture book, Enigma: A Magical Mystery, at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919. He will also speak that evening at 7 p.m. at Hooray for Books!, 1555 King St., Alexandria, Va., 703-548-4092.
1 P.M. The Library of Congress opens its celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month (this year's theme is "Getting Involved: Our Families, Our Community, Our Nation") with a keynote address by Book World editor Marie Arana, author of the memoir American Chica: Two Worlds, One Childhood (in both Peru and the United States), in the James Madison Bldg., Mumford Room, 202-707-4298.
19 FRIDAY7:30 P.M. Kira Salak, a contributing editor to the magazine National Geographic Adventure, reads from and signs her new novel, The White Mary, 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.
21 SUNDAY1 P.M. Tariq Ali discusses and signs The Duel: Pakistan on the Flight Path of American Power at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919.
22 MONDAYNoon. Jim Powell discusses and signs Greatest Emancipations: How the West Abolished Slavery at the Cato Institute, 1000 Massachusetts Ave. NW. Call 202-789-5229 or e-mail events@cato.org to RSVP.
7 P.M. Annette Gordon-Reed discusses and signs The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919. She will also speak on Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 4 p.m. at the Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Bldg., 10 First St. SE, Room 119, 202-707-2692.
23 TUESDAY10 A.M. Journalist Stephen Schwartz, executive director of the Center for Islamic Pluralism, discusses and signs The Other Islam: Sufism and the Road to Global Harmony, at the Woodrow Wilson Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW (Ronald Reagan Bldg.), 202-691-4188. He will also speak at 3 p.m. that afternoon at the National Press Club, Murrow Room, 529 14th St. NW, 202-662-7129.
6:30 P.M. Children's author T.A. Barron reads from and signs his new fantasy novel, Merlin's Dragon (ages 9-12), at Aladdin's Lamp Children's Bookstore; call 703-241-8281 to RSVP. He will also read on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at 3 p.m. at Books & Crannies, 19 E. Washington St., Middleburg, Va., 540-687-6677.
7 P.M. Thomas Friedman discusses and signs his new book, Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution--And How It Can Renew America, at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, 600 I St. 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. Freelance journalist Jen Lin-Liu discusses and signs Serve the People: A Stir-Fried Journey Through China at Olsson's Books-Dupont, 202-785-1133.
24 WEDNESDAY7 P.M. Children's author Christopher Paolini reads from and signs Brisingr, the third novel in his "Inheritance Cycle," at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, auditorium, 4301 East-West Hwy., Bethesda, Md. One ticket comes with purchase of the book at Politics and Prose, the event's sponsor. Additional tickets are $3; call 202-364-1919.
25 THURSDAY10:30 A.M. Writer and illustrator David Shannon reads from and discusses his new children's picture book, Too Many Toys, at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919. He will also read on Friday, Sept. 26, at 10 a.m. at Barnes & Noble-Bethesda, 4801 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda, Md., 301-986-1761.
12:30 P.M. Omar Tyree signs (no reading) his new novel, Pecking Order, at Borders Books-Downtown, 18th & L Sts. NW, 202-466-4999.
7 P.M. Local author and Georgetown professor Peter Manseau reads from his first novel, Songs for the Butcher's Daughter, at Olsson's Books-Dupont, 202-785-1133.
7:30 P.M. Paul E. Ceruzzi, curator of the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum, discusses and signs Internet Alley: High Technology in Tysons Corner, 1945-2005 at the Kensington Row Bookshop, 3786 Howard Ave., Kensington, Md., 301-949-9416.
27 SATURDAY11 A.M. The National Museum of Natural History (10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW) celebrates the grand opening of its new Sant Ocean Hall with a slate of activities, including a signing by children's author and illustrator Susan Stockdale for her picture book, Fabulous Fishes. She will also sign on Sunday, Sept. 28, at the same time and location; call 202-633-1000 or visit http://www.mnh.si.edu for details.
6 P.M. Porter Shreve reads from and signs his new novel, When the White House Was Ours, at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919.
LITERARY BRIEFSThe Hyman S. & Freda Bernstein Jewish Literary Festival opens Sunday, Sept. 14 and runs through Sept. 24 at the D.C. JCC, 1529 16th St. NW. Visit http://www.washingtondcjcc.org.
The National Archives (700 Pennsylvania Ave. NW) is hosting a Lincoln and American Values Symposium, a daylong event to mark the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth, on Saturday, Sept. 20. Registration is required ($45 for general public); call 202-357-5127. Visit http://www.archives.gov.
The Fall for Book Literary Festival kicks off on Sunday, Sept. 21, and runs through Sept. 26. Visit http://www.fallforthebook.org.
Numerous writers will be at an Author Pavilion during the Congressional Black Caucus's 38th Annual Legislative Conference Sept. 25-27 at the Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW. Visit http://www.cbcfinc.org.
The Reston Regional Library holds its semi-annual used book sale Sept. 26-28; call 703-689-2700; http://www.restonfriends.blogspot.com.
The Friends of the Cleveland Park Library will hold its annual fall book sale Sept. 27-28; call 202-282-3072.
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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 is litcal@washpost.com.
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