Further Browsing

Charles Karel Bouley: The popular gay radio host reads from his book, You Can't Say That! Sun., Nov. 28, 7 p.m., free. A Different Light Bookstore, 489 Castro (at 18th St.), 431-0891.

Celebration of the Word: This regular event features an open mike for writers hosted by Jeanne Powell. Mondays, 7 p.m., free. Perry's Joint, 1661 Fillmore (at Post), 931-5260.

Children's Story Time: Each week children aged 3 to 7 are invited to hear stories with a natural bent. Saturdays, 11 a.m., free with museum admission, free-$7. California Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard (at 5th St.), 750-7145, www.calacademy.org.

Christopher D. Cook: The journalist/activist discusses his book Diet for a Dead Planet, a compelling indictment of big agriculture. Tue., Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m., free. Modern Times Bookstore, 888 Valencia (at 20th St.), 282-9246, www.mtbs.com.

Drop-In Writer's Group: Join other writers for a read and critique session led by Marnie Webb. Every other Tuesday, 6 p.m., free. Laurel Book Store, 4100 MacArthur (at 39th), Oakland, 510-531-2073.

Gretel Ehrlich: The author of The Solace of Open Spaces reads from her new book, The Future of Ice. Tue., Nov. 30, 7 p.m., free. A Clean Well-Lighted Place for Books, 601 Van Ness (at Golden Gate), 441-6670, www.bookstore.com.

Evening of Found Text: Audience members are encouraged to bring in and share odd bits of found writing including advertisements, newspapers, notes, and other ephemera. 24th of every month, 8 p.m., $5-10. Off-Market Studio, 965 Mission (at Fifth St.), 896-6477, www.cafearts.com.

Family Storytimes: Parents and kids ages 2-6 are read to at various library branches. Daily, free, www.sfpl.org. Multiple locations, multiple addresses within San Francisco.

Friday Night Poetry at the Yak: Spoken word, open mike, and acoustic music are the fare at this regular event. Fridays, 7:30 p.m., free. Yakkety Yak Coffeehouse, 679 Sutter (at Taylor), 351-2090.

Linda Hymes: The cook and author reads from her The Nutcracker Sweet Cookbook. Sat., Nov. 27, 4 p.m., free. Borders/Mission Bay, 200 King (at Third St.), 357-9931.

August Kleinzahler: The San Francisco author celebrates the release of Cutty, One Rock: Low Characters & Strange Places, Gently Explained. Tue., Nov. 30, 7 p.m., free. City Lights, 261 Columbus (at Broadway), 362-8193, www.citylights.com.

Josh Kornbluth: Robert Hurwitt talks with the playwright about his works, including Love & Taxes, Ben Franklin: Unplugged, and Haiku Tunnel; benefits The 826 Valencia Scholarship Program. Tue., Nov. 30, 8 p.m., $18.50. Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness (at Grove), 392-4400.

Open Mike Fridays: Authors are invited to read from their work at this regular open mike event. Fridays, 8 p.m., free. Cafe International, 508 Haight (at Fillmore), 552-7390.

Queer Open Mic: Queer spoken-word artists and writers read from their work twice monthly. Second and Fourth Friday of every month, 8 p.m., $1-3. The Center, 1800 Market (at McCoppin), 865-5555, www.sfcenter.org.

San Francisco Literary Walking Tour: A two-hour meander through North Beach and Chinatown to look at the apartment buildings, cafes, bookstores, and bars frequented by famous writers of the past. Saturdays, noon, $25, 441-0140. City Lights, 261 Columbus (at Broadway), 362-8193, www.citylights.com.

Seminars for Aspiring or Developing Writers in the Bay Area: Each month the series of three-hour adult seminars for fledgling writers tackles a different theme and includes successful big-name panelists; all proceeds benefit student programming at 826 Valencia. Fourth Sunday of every month, 6 p.m., $100. 826 Valencia, 826 Valencia (at 19th St.), 642-5905.

"Throckmorton Stories": Every Monday night professional Bay Area actors perform monologues while authors read short fiction pieces. Mondays, 7:30 p.m. Continues through June 13, $10. 142 Throckmorton Theatre, 142 Throckmorton (at Madrona), Mill Valley, 383-9600.

Tuesday at Pat's Cafe Reading Series: Each weekly formal reading is followed by an open mike session for fledgling writers. Tuesdays, 7 p.m., free. Pat's Cafe, 2330 Taylor (at Columbus), 905-8837.

Kenneth Turan: The film critic for the Los Angeles Timestalks about his new book Never Coming to a Theater Near You. Mon., Nov. 29, 6 p.m., $5-15. Commonwealth Club, 595 Market (at Second St.), 597-6701, www.commonwealthclub.org.

Weekly Open Mike/Talent Showcase: Poets, musicians, and comics are invited to step right up and present their act to a waiting audience. All present are also eligible to win four free hours of studio recording time. Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m., free. The Canvas Cafe and Gallery, 1200 Ninth Ave. (at Lincoln), 504-0060, www.thecanvasgallery.com.

Zero Break Panel: Editor Matt Warshaw and a panel of contributors, including Daniel Duane, Allston James, and Thomas Farber, read from Zero Break: An Illustrated Collection of Surf Writing, 1777-2004. Mon., Nov. 29, 7 p.m., free. A Clean Well-Lighted Place for Books, 601 Van Ness (at Golden Gate), 441-6670, www.bookstore.com.