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

Literary Events

Sasha Abramsky: The author reads from Conned: How Millions Went to Prison, Lost the Vote, and Helped Send George W. Bush to the White House. Wed., May 31, 7:30 p.m., free. Modern Times Bookstore, 888 Valencia (at 20th St.), 282-9246, www.mtbs.com.

Isabel Allende: The author reads from Zorro. Sun., June 4, 5 p.m., free. Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista (at Chickasaw), Corte Madera, 927-0960.

Scott Anderson: The author reads from Moonlight Hotel. Wed., May 31, 7:30 p.m., free. Cody's Books/Telegraph, 2454 Telegraph (at Haste), Berkeley, 510-845-7852.

Bill Broder: The author reads from Taking Care of Cleo. Tue., June 6, 7 p.m., free. Books Inc./Laurel Village, 3515 California (at Locust), 221-3666.

Bill Broder: The author reads from Taking Care of Cleo. Sat., June 3, 7 p.m., free. Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista (at Chickasaw), Corte Madera, 927-0960.

Meredith Brokaw & Ellen Wright: The authors read from Big Sky Cooking, and John Littlewood reads from Celebrating the Seasons at Westerbeke Ranch. Sat., June 3, noon, free. Book Passage, Ferry Building (Embarcadero & Market), 835-1020, www.bookpassage.com.

Kelly Bulkeley & Reverend Patricia Bulkeley: The authors read from Dreaming Beyond Death: A Guide to Pre-Death Dreams and Visions. Sun., June 4, 2 p.m., free. Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista (at Chickasaw), Corte Madera, 927-0960.

Susan Casey: The author reads from Devil's Teeth: A True Story of Obsession and Survival Among America's Great White Sharks. Tue., June 6, 6 p.m., free. Cody's Books/Stockton, 2 Stockton (at Ellis), 773-0444, www.codysbooks.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.

James Dalessandro: The author reads from 1906: A Novel. Sat., June 3, 7:30 p.m., free. Kepler's Books and Magazines, 1010 El Camino Real (at Ravenswood), Menlo Park, 650-324-4321.

Tom DeMott: The author reads from Into the Hearts of the Amazons: In Search of a Modern Matriarchy. Sun., June 4, 2 p.m., free. Book Passage, Ferry Building (Embarcadero & Market), 835-1020, www.bookpassage.com.

Ivan Doig: The author reads from The Whistling Season. Tue., June 6, 7 p.m., free. Booksmith, 1644 Haight (at Cole), 863-8688, www.booksmith.com.

Barry Eisler: The author reads from The Last Assassin. Thu., June 1, 7:30 p.m., free. Kepler's Books and Magazines, 1010 El Camino Real (at Ravenswood), Menlo Park, 650-324-4321.

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.

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

Craig Ferguson: The author reads from Between the Bridge and the River. Thu., June 1, 8 p.m., free. Edinburgh Castle, 950 Geary (at Larkin), 885-4074, www.castlenews.com.

Craig Ferguson: The author reads from Between the Bridge and the River. Fri., June 2, 12:30 p.m., free. Stacey's, 581 Market (at Second St.), 421-4687, www.staceys.com.

First Sundays Queer Fiction Book of the Month Group: Each month the readers tackle a different queer book and discuss it at the next meeting. First Sunday of every month, 4 p.m., free. A Different Light Bookstore, 489 Castro (at 18th St.), 431-0891.

Ben Fong-Torres: The author reads from Becoming Almost Famous: My Back Pages in Music, Writing, and Life. Thu., June 1, 7 p.m., free. Booksmith, 1644 Haight (at Cole), 863-8688, www.booksmith.com.

Ben Fong-Torres: The author reads from Becoming Almost Famous: My Back Pages in Music, Writing, and Life. Fri., June 2, 7 p.m., free. Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista (at Chickasaw), Corte Madera, 927-0960.

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.

Chris Gardner: The author reads from The Pursuit of Happyness. Tue., June 6, 7 p.m., free. Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista (at Chickasaw), Corte Madera, 927-0960.

Spike Gillespie: The author reads from Pissed Off: On Women and Anger. Fri., June 2, 7:30 p.m., free. Cody's Books/Fourth Street, 1730 Fourth St. (at Virginia), Berkeley, 510-559-9500.

Peter Greenberg: The author reads from The Traveler's Diet: Eating Right and Staying Fit on the Road. Mon., June 5, 7 p.m., free. Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista (at Chickasaw), Corte Madera, 927-0960.

Robert Greenfield: The author reads from Timothy Leary: A Biography. Mon., June 5, 7 p.m., free. Booksmith, 1644 Haight (at Cole), 863-8688, www.booksmith.com.

Heather Lende: The author reads from If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name. Sat., June 3, 7:30 p.m., free. Cody's Books/Telegraph, 2454 Telegraph (at Haste), Berkeley, 510-845-7852.

Martin Hyatt: The author reads from A Scarecrow's Bible. Tue., June 6, 7:30 p.m., free. Books Inc./Castro, 2275 Market (at 16th St.), 864-6777, www.booksinc.net.

Terri Jentz: The author reads from Strange Piece of Paradise. Thu., June 1, 7 p.m., free. Modern Times Bookstore, 888 Valencia (at 20th St.), 282-9246, www.mtbs.com.

Joanne Barker: The editor reads from Sovereignty Matters. Thu., June 1, 7:30 p.m., free. Modern Times Bookstore, 888 Valencia (at 20th St.), 282-9246, www.mtbs.com.

Joe Finder: The author reads from Killer Instinct. Thu., June 1, 7:30 p.m., free. Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista (at Chickasaw), Corte Madera, 927-0960.