Literary Calendar

7 P.M. The POESIS monthly poetry series presents "Collective Voices," with readings by Sylvia Dianne Beverly (Lady Di), Evette Keene (Billye Okera), and Joy Alford (Sistah Joy), with music compliments of Shep Williams and friends, at Borders Books-Pentagon Centre, 1201 S. Hayes St., Arlington, Va., 703-418-0166.

7:30 P.M. Michell G. Bard discusses and signs 48 Hours of Kristallnacht: Night of Destruction/Dawn of the Holocaust: An Oral History at Barnes & Noble-Rockville, 12089 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Md., 301-881-0237.

20 THURSDAY

6 P.M. Leslie Atkins discusses and signs No Strings Attached: The Savvy Guide to Solo Travel at Books-A-Million, 11 Dupont Circle NW, 202-319-1374.

7 P.M. Julia Glass reads from and signs her new novel, I See You Everywhere, at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919.

21 FRIDAY

6:30 P.M. Professor and public intellectual Cornell West discusses and signs his new book, Hope on a Tightrope: Words & Wisdom, at Busboys and Poets (D.C.), 2021 14th St. NW, 202-387-7638. He will also speak on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 2 p.m. at the Enoch Pratt Free Library, Central Branch, Wheeler Auditorium, 400 Cathedral St., Baltimore, Md., 410-396-9454.

8 P.M. Novelists Russell Banks, author of Cloudspitter and, most recently, The Reserve, and Richard Russo, author of Bridge of Sighs and the Pulitzer Prize-winning Empire Falls, read from their work at the 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.orgto RSVP.

22 SATURDAY

3 P.M. Children's author and illustrator Sallie Lowenstein, author of Waiting for Eugene and The Festival of Lights, leads a discussion, "From Memory to Story: How a Childhood in Burma Became a Novel in the Future," on the origins of her new young-adult book, In the Company of Whispers, at Aladdin's Lamp Children's Books, 2499 N. Harrison St., Arlington, Va., 703-241-8281.

7:30 P.M. Civil War scholar Peter Cozzens reads from and discusses his new book, Shenandoah 1862: Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign, at the Writer's Center, 4508 Walsh St., Bethesda, Md., 301-654-8664.

23 SUNDAY

2 P.M. Benjamin Zucker, president of the Precious Stones Company in New York, presents a lecture, "A Mysterious Wedding Ring: Tracing Personal Jewelry Histories," at the Walters Gallery of Art, Graham Auditorium, 600 N. Charles St., Baltimore, Md. Zucker, known for his personal collection of jewelry, is also the author of a trilogy of illustrated novels revolving around the world of gems, the most recent of which is White. A reception and book signing follow. This event is in conjunction with the museum's current exhibition, "Bedazzled: 5,000 Years of Jewelry." Admission is free, but due to limited space, reservations are suggested; call 410-547-9000, ext. 238 or visit http://www.thewalters.org.

3 P.M. Local journalist Michaele Weissman discusses and signs her new book, God in a Cup: The Obsessive Quest for the Perfect Coffee (she also blogs on the subject at http://michaeleweissmanwrites.com/godinacupofcoffee) at the Shirlington Branch Public Library, 703-228-6545. A coffee tasting and book signing will follow at 4 p.m. across the street at Busboys and Poets (Shirlington), 703-379-9756.

5 P.M. Gilles Keppel, a professor of Middle Eastern studies, discusses and signs Beyond Terror and Martyrdom: The Future of the Middle East, at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919.

6 P.M. Comic artist David Rees discusses and signs Get Your War On: The Definitive Account of the War on Terror, 2001-2008 at Busboys and Poets (5th & K), 202-789-2227.

SPECIAL NOTICE

The National Press Club, located at 529 14th St. NW, is holding its 31st Annual Book Fair on Tuesday, Nov. 18, featuring a wide array of authors -- from historians to children's authors to chefs -- discussing and signing their work, including journalists Helen Thomas and Roger Mudd; Kerry Kennedy, founder of the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights; chef José Andrés, owner of the local tapas bar Jaleo; historian Michael Dobbs; and Justice Antonin Scalia. Tickets are free for club members, $5 for the general public. The event is a fundraiser for the Eric Friedheim National Journalism Library. Visit http://www.press.orgfor details.