Washington Area Literary Calendar: Nov. 9-15

9 MONDAY

10:30 A.M. Children's author David A. Carter reads from and discusses "White Noise: A Pop-up Book for Children of All Ages" at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-364-1919.

Noon. Romesh Ratnesar, the deputy managing editor of Time magazine, discusses and signs his new book on the fall of the Berlin Wall, "Tear Down This Wall: A City, a President, and the Speech that Ended the Cold War," at the National Archives, Jefferson Room, 700 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 202-357-5000.

Noon. Norman Podhoretz, a former editor in chief of the journal Commentary, discusses and signs his newest book, "Why Are Jews Liberals?," at the Hudson Institute, 1015 15th St. NW (6th floor). Call 202-974-2400 or e-mail events@hudson.orgto RSVP.

6:30 P.M. Professor James W. Loewen discusses and signs his new book, "Teaching What Really Happened: How to Avoid the Tyranny of Textbooks and Get Students Excited About Doing History," at Busboys and Poets (14th & V), 2021 14th St. NW, 202-387-7638.

6:30 P.M. James R. Mihelcic, a professor of civil and environmental engineering, discusses and signs his new book, "Field Guide to Environmental Engineering for Development Workers: Water, Sanitation, and Indoor Air," at Reiter's Scientific & Professional Books, 1990 K St. NW (entrance on 20th St.), 202-223-3327.

7 P.M. Hendrik Hertzberg, a staff writer at the New Yorker magazine, discusses and signs "¡OBÁMANOS!: The Rise of a New Political Era" at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919.

10 TUESDAY

10:30 A.M. Young adult writer L.M. Elliott reads from and discusses her new historical novel, "A Troubled Peace," at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919.

Noon. The National Theatre continues its new series, "Noon at the National," with a reading and discussion by Greg Olear from his new thriller, "Totally Killer," in the theater's Helen Hayes Gallery, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Admission is free, but passes are required -- they will be distributed 30 minutes prior to the program (one ticket per person in line), first-come, first-served; for details, visit http://www.nationaltheatre.orgor call 202-783-3372.

4:30 P.M. John W. Frece, associate director of the National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education at the University of Maryland, discusses his new book, "Sprawl & Politics: The Inside Story of Smart Growth in Maryland," as part of the series "Speaking of Books ... Conversations with Campus Authors" at the University of Maryland, McKeldin Library, Special Events Room, College Park, Md. Visit http://www.lib.umd.edu/mck/booktalksor call 301-314-8521 for details. A Q&A, light reception and book signing follow.

6:30 P.M. Hasan Kwame Jeffries, an assistant professor of history at Ohio State University, discusses and signs his new book, "Bloody Lowndes: Civil Rights and Black Power in Alabama's Black Belt," at Busboys and Poets (14th & V), 2021 14th St. NW, 202-387-7638.

6:30 P.M. David Henry Sterry, author of the memoir "Chicken: Self-Portrait of a Young Man for Rent," discusses the new anthology, "Hos, Hookers, Call Girls, and Rent Boys: Professionals Writing on Life, Love, Money, and Sex" (edited with R.J. Martin Jr.), at Busboys and Poets (5th & K), 1025 Fifth St. NW, 202-789-2227.

7 P.M. Duff Goldman, pastry chef and proprietor of Baltimore's "Charm City Cakes" (as seen on the Food Network), discusses and signs his new illustrated book, "Ace of Cakes: Inside the World of Charm City Cakes" (written with Willie Goldman), at Barnes & Noble, Long Gate Shopping Center, 4300 Montgomery Rd., Ellicott City, Md., 410-203-9001.