Literary Calendar

January 12-18, 2009

12 MONDAY

4 P.M. Children's author and illustrator Mo Willems reads from and discusses his new picture book, Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed, at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-364-1919.

7 P.M. Washington Post writer Liza Mundy discusses and signs Michelle, her new biography of Michelle Obama, at the Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington, Va., 703-228-5990.

7 P.M. Kim Phillips-Fein discusses and signs Invisible Hands: The Making of the Conservative Movement from the New Deal to Reagan at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919.

7:30 PM. Edward Kritzler discusses and signs Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean: How a Generation of Swashbuckling Jews Carved Out an Empire in the New World in Their Quest for Treasure, Religious Freedom--and Revenge at the D.C. Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th St. NW. This event is part of the Chaim Kempner Author Series. Tickets are $9 for the general public, $6 for JCC members; visit http://www.washingtondcjcc.orgto RSVP. Call 202-777-3254 or e-mail lilikg@washingtondcjcc.orgfor details.

7:30 P.M. Poets Linda Pastan, a former Maryland Poet Laureate and author, most recently, of Queen of a Rainy Country, and Tracy K. Smith, author of the award-winning collections Duende and The Body's Question, read from their work as part of the Folger Poetry Series at the Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol St. SE. Tickets are $12 each; call 202-544-7077 or visit http://www.folger.edu/poetry to RSVP.

13 TUESDAY

Noon. Dick Couch, a U.S. Navy (and SEAL) veteran, discusses The Sheriff of Ramadi: Navy SEALs and the Winning of al-Anbar at the United States Navy Memorial, Naval Heritage Center, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. A Q&A and book signing follow; visit http://www.navymemorial.orgfor details.

6 P.M. Photojournalist Scout Tufankjian discusses and signs her new book, Yes We Can: Barack Obama's History-Making Presidential Campaign, at Barnes & Noble-Metro Center, 555 12th St. NW, 202-347-4170.

6:30 P.M. Daniel Sperling, a professor of engineering and environmental science & policy, and Deborah Gordon, a senior transportation policy analyst, discuss Two Billion Cars: Driving Toward Sustainability in an event sponsored by the World Affairs Council of Washington, D.C. at 1800 K St. NW, conference room B1. A reception and book signing follow. Admission is $15 for the general public, $10 for council members. Call 202-293-1051 or e-mail event@worldaffairsdc.orgto RSVP.

7 P.M. Washington Post journalist Kevin Merida discusses and signs Obama: The Historic Campaign in Photographs (created with photographer and photo historian Deborah Willis) at the Arlington Central Library, 703-228-5990. He will also speak, along with Deborah Willis, on Friday, Jan. 16, at 12:30 p.m. at Borders Books-Downtown, 18th & L Sts. NW, 202-466-4999.

7 P.M. Journalist Clay Risen, the founding managing editor of Democracy: A Journal of Ideas, discusses and signs A Nation on Fire: America in the Wake of the King Assassination at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919.

7:30 P.M. Jill Conner Browne discusses and signs American Thighs: The Sweet Potato Queens' Guide to Preserving Your Assets at Borders Books-Baileys Crossroads, Route 7 at Columbia Pike, Baileys Crossroads, Va., 703-998-0404.

14 WEDNESDAY

11 A.M. Melissa Stanton discusses and signs The Stay-at-Home Survival Guide: Field-Tested Strategies for Staying Smart, Sane, and Connected While Caring for Your Kids at Barnes & Noble-Gaithersburg, Washington Center, 21 Grand Corner Ave., Gaithersburg, Md., 301-721-0860.