Our guide to readings, spoken word, and other literary events

Ahmed Shawki: The author reads from Black Liberation and Socialism. Fri., Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m., free. Modern Times Bookstore, 888 Valencia (at 20th St.), 282-9246, www.mtbs.com. And Sun., Feb. 26, 7:30 p.m., free. Black Oak Books/Berkeley, 1491 Shattuck (at Vine), Berkeley, 510-486-0698.

Amory Starr: The author reads from Global Revolt: A Guide to the Movements Against Globalization. Thu., Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m., free. Modern Times Bookstore, 888 Valencia (at 20th St.), 282-9246, www.mtbs.com.

Arts and Crafts From the Japanese American Internment Camps: Author Delphine Hirasuna introduces the story of the creative production of Japanese-Americans interned during World War II, followed by a signing of her book, The Art of Gaman: Arts and Crafts From the Japanese American Internment Camps 1942-1946. Sat., Feb. 25, 2:30 p.m., free. Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin (at McAllister), 581-3500, www.asianart.org.

Barbara Keesling: Book release party with the author of Sexual Healing. Thu., Feb. 23, 7 p.m., free. Good Vibrations/San Francisco, 603 Valencia (at 17th St.), 522-5460, www.goodvibes.com.

Barbara Tedlock: The author reads from The Woman in the Shaman's Body: Reclaiming the Feminine in Religion and Medicine. Thu., Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m., free. Black Oak Books/Berkeley, 1491 Shattuck (at Vine), Berkeley, 510-486-0698.

Betita Martinez: People Organized to Win Employment Rights (POWER) is a fighting organization of welfare recipients, domestic workers, shoe shiners, child care workers, security guards, unemployed workers and other no- and low-wage workers. Representatives from the group discuss its book Toward Land, Work & Power. Wed., Feb. 22, 7 p.m., free. Modern Times Bookstore, 888 Valencia (at 20th St.), 282-9246, www.mtbs.com.

Bill Merritt: The author reads from A Fool's Gold: A Story of Ancient Spanish Treasure, Two Pounds of Pot, and the Young Lawyer Almost Left Holding the Bag. Tue., Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m., free. Cody's Books/Telegraph, 2454 Telegraph (at Haste), Berkeley, 510-845-7852.

Bill Scheft: The author reads from Time Won't Let Me. Mon., Feb. 27, 7 p.m., free. Booksmith, 1644 Haight (at Cole), 863-8688, www.booksmith.com.

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.

Dana Spiotta: Dana Spiotta reads from her new novel, Eat The Document. Tue., Feb. 28, 7 p.m., free. City Lights, 261 Columbus (at Broadway), 362-8193, www.citylights.com.

Diane Conway: The author reads from What Would You Do for Love if You Had No Fear: Loving Without Losing Your Mind. Wed., Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m., free. Books Inc./Laurel Village, 3515 California (at Locust), 221-3666.

Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Memorial Branch Book Discussion Group: A book discussion group; open to all. Call for information. Fourth Wednesday of every month, 7:30 p.m., 355-5616. Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Branch Library, 3555 16th St. (at Market), 554-9445.

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.

Franz & Kurt Wisner: The authors read from Honeymoon With My Brother: A Memoir. Tue., Feb. 28, 7 p.m., free. Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista (at Chickasaw), Corte Madera, 927-0960.

Family Story Times: Parents and kids aged 2 to 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.

Jackie Collins: The author reads from Lovers and Players. Fri., Feb. 24, 7 p.m., free. Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista (at Chickasaw), Corte Madera, 927-0960.

Jane Ganahl: Editor Jane Ganahl and guest writers Isadora Alman, Kim Addonizio, Kathi Goldmark, April Sinclair, and Wendy Merrill discuss Single Woman of a Certain Age: 29 Women Writers on the Unmarried Midlife -- Romantic Escapades, Empty Nests, Shifting Shapes, and Serene Independence. Thu., Feb. 23, 6 p.m., free-$7. Mechanics' Institute Library, 57 Post (at Market), 393-0101, www.milibrary.org.

Jay McInerney: The author reads from The Good Life. Thu., Feb. 23, 7 p.m., free. A Clean Well-Lighted Place for Books, 601 Van Ness (at Golden Gate), 441-6670, www.bookstore.com. And Fri., Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m., free. Books Inc./Alameda, 1344 Park Street, Alameda, 510-522-2226, www.booksinc.net.

Jennifer Traig: The author reads from Devil in the Details. Tue., Feb. 28, 7 p.m., free. Books Inc./Laurel Village, 3515 California (at Locust), 221-3666.

John Nielsen: The author reads from Condor: To the Brink and Back -- The Life and Times of One Giant Bird. Mon., Feb. 27, 7:30 p.m., free. Cody's Books/Telegraph, 2454 Telegraph (at Haste), Berkeley, 510-845-7852.

Joyce Becker: The author reads from Countdown to Your Perfect Wedding: From Engagement Ring to Honeymoon, a Week-by-Week Guide to Planning the Happiest Day of Your Life. Sat., Feb. 25, 2 p.m., free. Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista (at Chickasaw), Corte Madera, 927-0960.

Jurgen Vsych: The author reads from The Woman Director: The Adventures of a Really Independent Filmmaker, Ages 6-36. Tue., Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m., free. Black Oak Books/Berkeley, 1491 Shattuck (at Vine), Berkeley, 510-486-0698.

Kenji Yoshino: The author reads from Covering: The Hidden Assault on Our Civil Rights. Wed., Feb. 22, 12:30 p.m. Stacey's, 581 Market (at Second St.), 421-4687, www.staceys.com. And Wed., Feb. 22, 7 p.m., free. Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista (at Chickasaw), Corte Madera, 927-0960.