This Week in Lit: Oddities, Aliens and the Feminist Press

Once again I’ve found it difficult to whittle down this week’s Lit Events, so here are some events to make you laugh, cry, and entertain the hell out of you.

Harriet Baskas at Issaquah Library:
Our little neck of the woods is a remarkable place, and author Harriet Baskas delves into those eccentricities in her book, Washington Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff. Washington State history is much more entertaining when peppered with stories of the strange events and occurrences that helped define us. Though we may not have a “Keep Seattle Weird” bumper sticker (ahem, Portland), we do have a lively and rich history to blame our weirdness on.

Tuesday, 7 p.m. // Issaquah Library // Free

Ray Jayawardhana at Town Hall:
Speaking of the strange and extraordinary, how about some alien life form talk to spice up your Tuesday night? An evening with author of Strange New Worlds, astronomer Ray Jayawardhana, should do the trick. This talk is presented in partnership with Princeton Global Science and Seattle Science Lectures, and is bound to shock (and alarm) with talk of possible “Earth-like” planets. Astronomers are learning that discovery of these planets may be closer than we think—meaning martian encounters could be just around the corner!

Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. // Town Hall // $5 at door, or brownpapertickets.org

John Elder Robison at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park:
Since eccentricity seems to be the theme of the week, we’re happy to welcome John Robison to Seattle—hailing from the unconventional family featured in his brother’s novel, Running With Scissors, John has discovered his own literary stride writing about the issue of Aspergers. With a unique perspective, advice and flare, Robison will read from his latest book, Be Different, and offer a glimpse into his complicated Aspergian mind…a brilliant but strange place.

Thursday, 7 p.m. // Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park // Free

Florence Howe at University Book Store:
Florence Howe, the founder of Feminist Press, is a Wonder Woman of sorts—and we have two chances to hear about how she came to be that way. Catch her stories today at the University book store, or tomorrow at Elliott Bay Book Co. (at 2 p.m.). I know I’d like to know what makes such an accomplished lady tick.

Friday, 12:30 p.m. // University of Washington Book Store // Free

Paul Allen at Town Hall:
Perhaps it’s time to learn a little more about the man behind the myth—and there’s much to know about someone who has had so much influence in our city, and in the world.
Despite his struggles with Hodgkin’s disease and lymphoma, Allen has always managed to stay on top—but by sharing his story in Idea Man: A Memoir by the Co-founder of Microsoft maybe we’ll finally get a glimpse at the real man, somewhere a little closer to our elevation.

Friday, 7:30 p.m. // Town Hall // $5, and available at brownpapertickets.org