We know this sounds like an ordinary Sunday night for you -- two drinks and some YouTube videos -- but SIFF is closing for the year. For real. And because we have such an amazing film festival in our city, we owe it to ourselves to see it off right. more ›

Last week, literary non-profit 826 Seattle announced the release of its latest publication, "What to Read in the Rain." The book, available October 1, contains 300 pages of Northwest-centered stories, poems, essays and recipes from well-known Northwest authors and 826 Seattle youth participants. Among those authors who participated are Tom Robbins, who contributed the book's introduction; Seattle restaurateur Tom Douglas, who shares a pancake recipe; David Guterson, speaking for the trees and actress Lauren Weedman, adding a hilarious take on a doomed relationship. more ›

Sometimes book readings are news because of the book; sometimes because of the author. With Steven Johnson, you get both. He's in town for a few days on his book tour for The Invention of Air: at Elliott Bay Book Company on Sunday, at 3 p.m.; Town Hall on Monday, 7:30 p.m., and holding court at a "Words & Wine" event at the Pan Pacific Hotel on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. more ›