Send listings two weeks in advance to books@seattleweekly.com.

Readings & Events

J. Randall Curtis His lecture topic is “Talking With Doctors bout End-of-Life Care.” Seattle Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., 386-4636, www.spl.org. 6:30 p.m. Wed. Jan. 3.

Red Pine The latest in his series of translations of Buddhist texts is The Platform Sutra: The Zen Teaching of Hui-neng. Elliott Bay Book Co. 7:30 p.m. Wed. Jan. 3.

Subtext Hugo House’s monthly experimental writing series continues with readings by Paul Hoover and Maxine Chernoff. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave., 322-7030. Donation. 7:30 p.m. Wed. Jan. 3.

Ray Larson The head gardener at Hill-Crest (home of the president of the University of Washington) lectures on “The Flora of Seattle in 1850.” Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 N.E. 41st St. 7 p.m. Thurs. Jan. 4.

Laura Leist Make a New Year’s resolution to de-clutter your life with the help of her Eliminate Chaos. Third Place Books. 7 p.m. Thurs. Jan. 4.

Linda Criddle Catch up to your tech-savvy tykes, and find out what they’re up to, with her Look Both Ways: Help Protect Your Family on the Internet. Third Place Books, 6:30 p.m. Fri. Jan. 5.

P. Anna Johnson Her Australia Years: The Story of a Nuclear Migrant explores the cold-war paranoia that led thousands of Americans to move out from under from the Bomb’s shadow and Down Under to the South Pacific. Elliott Bay Book Co. 7:30 p.m. Fri. Jan. 5.

John Ringo Unto the Breach is his fourth Mike Harmon adventure: an “ex-Navy Seal out for blood, gold, and women.” University Book Store. 7 p.m. Fri. Jan. 5.

David Sirota The author of Hostile Takeover: How Big Money and Corruption Have Conquered Our Government and How We Can Take It Back leads a forum on public campaign funding, sponsored by Washington Public Campaigns. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave. $5 suggested donation. 7:30 p.m. Fri. Jan. 5.

Deborah Donnelly SEE THE WIRE, SATURDAY.

Jennifer Ouellette She explores real-world scientific phenomena through the lens of TV fantasy, and vice-versa, in The Physics of the Buffyverse. Elliott Bay Book Co. 7:30 p.m. Sat. Jan. 6.

Edwidge Danticat An appearance by the acclaimed Haitian writer, sponsored by Seattle Arts & Lectures. Benaroya Hall, Third Avenue and Union Street, 621-2230, www.lectures.org. $10-$25. 7:30 p.m. Mon. Jan. 8.

Magic Before Your Eyes “A cabaret of conjuring” with several local magicians. Ravenna Third Place Books, 6504 20th Ave. N.E., 525-2347. 7:30 p.m. Mon. Jan. 8.

Lauren E. Sullivan This life coach offers advice in Give Wings to Your Dreams: Reawaken Your Joy and Passion for Life. Third Place Books, 7 p.m. Mon. Jan. 8.

Cranky Readings from the literary journal’s new issue #8. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave., 322-7030, www.crankymag.org. $5 (free w/purchase of issue). 7 p.m. Tues. Jan. 9.

Valentino Achak Deng One of the “Lost Boys” displaced by strife in Sudan, his memoir, as novelized by Dave Eggers, is What is the What: The Autobiography of Valentino Achak Deng. Co-presented with 826 Seattle. Elliott Bay Book Co. 7:30 p.m. Tues. Jan. 9.

Geri Larkin Not quite a cookbook, this Dharma teacher’s Chocolate Cake Sutra: Ingredients for a Sweet Life posits desserts as a metaphor for the enlightened life. Sponsored by Secret Garden Bookshop. Cafe Verite/Cupcake Royale, 2052 N.W. Market St., www.secretgardenbooks.com. 7 p.m. Tues. Jan. 9.

Deanna Raybourn Her new Victorian mystery is Silent in the Grave. Seattle Mystery Bookshop, 117 Cherry St., 587-5737. Noon, Tues. Jan. 9. Third Place Books, 7 p.m. Tues. Jan. 9.

David Weber The last survivors of humanity battle the Hbara in his Off Armageddon Reef. University Book Store 7 p.m. Tues. Jan. 9.

Josh Bernstein The History Channel host recounts his adventures researching ancient mysteries in Digging for the Truth. Third Place Books, 7 p.m. Wed. Jan. 10.

Book-It Repertory Book Club A discussion of Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, in anticipation of Book-It’s upcoming stage production (Feb. 9–March 4). University Book Store. 7:30 p.m. Wed. Jan. 10.

Joan Burbick A question that baffles the rest of the world: why are Americans so obsessed with guns? Burbick, author of Gun Show Nation, will offer some insight. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave. $5. 7:30 p.m. Wed. Jan. 10.

Rae Meadows In her new novel, Calling Out, a New Yorker flees to Utah and takes up work as a phone dispatcher for a Mormon-endorsed escort service. Elliott Bay Book Co. 7:30 p.m. Wed. Jan. 10.

Spoken Word/Open Mike

Seattle Poetry Slam Roger Bonair-Agard is the featured reader. ToST, 513 N. 36th St., www.poetryfestival.org. $5. Signup starts at 8 p.m. Tues. Jan. 9.

Venue Guide

Elliott Bay Book Co. 101 S. Main St., 206-624-6600, www.elliottbaybook.com; Third Place Books 17171 Bothell Way N.E., 206-366-3333, www.thirdplacebooks.com; University Book Store 4326 University Way N.E., 206-634-3400, www.bookstore.washington.edu.