May Literary Events By Jen Chaney washingtonpost.com Staff Writer Monday, April 29, 2002

Mike Wallace, who contributed to a book about the Congressional Medal of Honor, appears this month at Barnes & Noble - Georgetown. (Craig Blankenhorn/CBS)

The month of May isn't generally considered a prime time for literary exploration; most people's thoughts turn to Cinco de Mayo, Memorial Day beach trips and prom planning. Nonetheless, this particular May is chock-full of intriguing local readings and book signings, whether you're interested in "Earth's Children" (Jean Auel) or novelists who write about children (Elizabeth Berg). So set aside your cerveza and peruse this list of upcoming events:

Lawrence Schiller and Norman Mailer: Given the number of existing books on Robert Hanssen, the former FBI agent convicted of selling secrets to the Soviets, there has to be a pretty compelling reason to take notice when another one is published. In this case, there are two reasons: Lawrence Schiller and Norman Mailer, the two men who collaborated on "The Executioner's Song." They bring their research and writing skills to the Hanssen saga in their new book, "Into the Mirror: The Life of Master Spy Robert P. Hanssen." They'll tell you some of their literary secrets May 2 at the National Press Club. The event is $5, free for Press Club members.

Jean Auel: Even if you've never read a word of Jean Auel's work, you're probably at least vaguely familiar with it. Her best-selling Earth's Children series began in 1980 with "Clan of the Cave Bear." (If you didn't read the book, perhaps you saw the 1986 movie starring Daryl Hannah.) After an extended absence, Auel returns to the literary limelight with the long-awaited fifth installment in the series, "The Shelters of Stone." Given her following, we advise that you RSVP pronto for this author's May 10 luncheon at the Press Club. Tickets are $35, $16 for Press Club members, $28 for Press Club guests.

W.D. Snodgrass: More than 40 years have passed since W.D. Snodgrass won the Pulitzer Prize in poetry for "Heart's Needle." After achieving such a high honor, a lot of writers would seek early literary retirement. Not Snodgrass. He has continued to write poetry (including his "Fuhrer Bunker" collections), as well as literary criticism and translations, and has taught at several universities. At the Folger Poetry Board Reading, to be held May 13 at the Folger Theatre, he'll share some of his own work, as well as pieces written by other scribes he admires.

Elizabeth Berg: If Oprah's book club still existed, it's possible Elizabeth Berg's latest, "True to Form," would have become one of the daytime diva's choices. After all, Berg's novel "Open House" was an Oprah pick a couple of years ago. Either way, fans of Berg's previous books "Durable Goods" and "Joy School" will likely take an interest in "Form" because it focuses on the same protagonist, Katie, as she tackles those always delightful pre-teen years. Berg speaks May 16 at Borders in Baileys Crossroads and again May 17 at Olsson's in Georgetown.

Mike Wallace: You know him as the hard-hitting "60 Minutes" reporter who's never met an evasive interview subject he couldn't crack. But Mike Wallace also has a softer, or at least reverential, side, as he demonstrates in the book "Medal of Honor: Profiles of America's Military Heroes From the Civil War to the Present." Wallace provides commentary in the text, co-written with Allen Mikaelian, that gives readers a clear sense of the struggles and triumphs that lead to earning a Congressional Medal of Honor. The veteran journalist will share his wisdom May 20 at Barnes & Noble in Georgetown.

Laura Zigman: Most funny novels about single women, like funny TV shows and movies about single women, are set in New York City or Los Angeles. We're not sure why, since any Washington resident knows that plenty of "Sex and the City"-style antics unfold right here at home. Author Laura Zigman -- who wrote the novel "Animal Husbandry," which inspired the Ashley Judd movie "Someone Like You" -- is aware of this. And so she brings us "Her," the story of a jealous fiance and New York City transplant adjusting to life in the District of Columbia. She'll discuss the book (and, if you ask, D.C. life) when she comes to Politics & Prose May 22.

R.A. Salvatore: If you keep hearing the sounds of light sabers clashing in your head, don't worry: You're not crazy. Your subconscious has merely succumbed to the hype surrounding "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones." If you fall into this category, consider visiting the Borders in Baileys Crossroads May 30. Science-fiction writer R.A. Salvatore, who wrote the novelization of the latest George Lucas epic, will discuss the book version of the Anakin/Amidala story, as well as the latest addition to his Second DemonWars Saga. Go you must, young Jedi.