Literary Calendar

July 7-13, 2008

7 MONDAY

6:30 P.M. Mike Gravel, a former two-term senator from Alaska (known for his release of the controversial Pentagon Papers), discusses and signs A Political Odyssey: The Rise of American Militarism and One Man's Stop to Fight It (written with Joe Lauria), at Busboys and Poets (D.C.), 2021 14th St. NW, 202-387-7638. He will also speak on Tuesday, July 8, at 7 p.m. at the Shirlington Public Library, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington, Va., 703-228-6545. A book signing will follow across the street at Busboys and Poets (Shirlington), 4251 S. Campbell Ave., Arlington, Va., 703-379-9756.

7 P.M. Benjamin Wittes, a former editorial writer for The Washington Post and now a fellow at the Brookings Institution, discusses and signs his new book, Law and the Long War: The Future of Justice in the Age of Terror, at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-364-1919.

7 P.M. Stella Rimington reads from and signs Illegal Action, her new espionage thriller featuring MI5 agent Liz Carlyle, at Olsson's Books-Dupont, 1307 19th St. NW, 202-787-1133.

7 P.M. Award-winning poet Grace Cavalieri, author, most recently, of the collection Anna Nicole, and Prartho Sereno, author of Call from Paris (winner of the 2007 Washington Prize), read from their work as part of the Café Muse series held at the Friendship Heights Village Center, 4433 S. Park Ave., Chevy Chase, Md., 301-656-2797. Refreshments and classical guitar (courtesy of Michael Davis) open the program, which concludes with an open mic segment.

8 TUESDAY

4 P.M. Children's book author and illustrator Rebecca Harrison Reed reads from and discusses The Train to Maine, a new picture book illustrated by Reed and written by Jaime Spencer, at Aladdin's Lamp Children's Bookstore, 2499 N. Harrison St., Arlington, Va. There will also be a surprise visit by one of the story's characters; call 703-241-8281.

7 P.M. The Arts Club of Washington celebrates summer and poetry with another installment of its "Flirting with the Masters" series, featuring local bards E. Ethelbert Miller and David Keplinger paying homage to the Noble Prize-winning Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, as well as reading from their work. A reception follows. The Arts Club is located at 2017 "Eye" St. NW; call 202-331-7282 for details.

7 P.M. Michael Sean Winters discusses and signs Left at the Altar: How the Democrats Lost the Catholics and How the Catholics Can Save the Democrats at Olsson's Books-Dupont, 202-787-1133.

7 P.M. Jim Webb, current U.S. senator from Virginia, discusses his new book, A Time to Fight: Reclaiming a Fair and Just America, at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 202-364-1919.

7 P.M. Donna Andrews reads from and signs her new Meg Lanslow mystery, Cockatiels at Seven, at Barnes & Noble-Reston, 1851 Fountain Dr., Reston, Va., 703-437-9490.

7:30 P.M. Cathy Alter reads from and signs her new memoir-cum-self-help guide, Up For Renewal: What Magazines Taught Me About Love, Sex, and Starting Over, at Barnes & Noble-Georgetown, 3040 M St. NW, 202-965-9880.

7:30 P.M. Robert Schlesinger discusses and signs White House Ghosts: Presidents and Their Speechwriters at Barnes & Noble-Bethesda, 4801 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda, Md., 301-986-1761.

7:30 P.M. Sheila Black and Charles E. Wright read from their work as part of the Joaquin Miller Cabin Poetry Series held at Miller's Cabin, Picnic Grove #6, Beach Dr. at the Military Road overpass in Rock Creek Park, 703-820-8113. An open reading (sign-up at 7 p.m.) will conclude the program.