Wednesday Oct. 3

Jennifer L. Holm

Poor Babymouse has no talent to speak of (except for being a talking baby mouse). But things change in Babymouse: Skater Girl, when our little heroine discovers a penchant for ice skating and shows the world what she can do! Take that, Kristy Yamaguchi! Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton, 228-4651. 7 pm. Free.

John W. Dean

From the author of Conservatives Without Conscience and Worse Than Watergate comes Broken Government: How Republican Rule Destroyed the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches. So...it's all about Dubya and how the current prez is doing such a great job, right? That's what I thought. Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St., 228-4651. 7:30 pm. Free.

Thursday Oct. 4

Marina Lewycka

Strawberry Fields is not another Beatles biography. (I know! That's what I thought, too!) Rather, this new work from the author of A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian tells the story of a group of migrant workers who flee their plot for dreams of a better life. Powell's on Hawthorne, 3723 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 238-1668. 7:30 pm. Free.

Brian Libby

Libby's Tales from the Oregon Ducks Sideline details the history of the University of Oregon football team's 1984 start through the 2006 season. Wait, what? Oregon has a football team? Really? Broadway Books, 1714 NE Broadway, 284-1726. 7 pm. Free.

Friday Oct. 5

Ellen Bass and Sarah Lantz

Roses are red/ Violets are blue/ I hate poetry/ But that doesn't mean that you should...also? D'oh! Bass's collection The Human Line speaks to global issues, while Lantz's Far Beyond Triage combines history with folk storytelling (Don Colburn and Willa Schneberg will read to honor Lantz). Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St., 228-4651. 7:30 pm. Free.

Peter Yarrow

Potheads, rejoice! Puff is back and better than ever. The beloved Lenny Lipton poem "Puff the Magic Dragon" has again been immortalized by Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary), and includes a complete retelling of Puff's adventures in Hanalei, illustrations by Eric Puybaret, and an audio CD! Close the windows, dim the lights and prepare to frolic in the autumn winds—doobie optional. Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton, 228-4651. 7 pm. Free.

Saturday Oct. 6

Mahro Emamzadeh

Emamzadeh, author of Mohammad and Manifestation of the Divine will discuss and sign her newest work. The Browsing Lounge (Room 238), Smith Memorial Student Union, Portland State University, 1825 SW Broadway, 901-7345. 6:30 pm. Free.

Sunday Oct. 7

Laura Werlin

Cheese lovers, I'm talking to you: This isn't just any ol' book release. The author of Great Grilled Cheese and The New American Cheese will sign copies of her latest book, Cheese Essentials, as well as offer a class on cheese styles and food pairing (sampling and wine included). Tasty! Foster & Dobbs, 2518 NE 15th Ave., 284-1157. Reservations required. 6:15 pm. $20.

Monday Oct. 8

Gennifer Choldenko

If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period, the newest work from the New York Times bestselling author of Al Capone Does My Shirts, is a quirky tale of social code and friendship for all the cool and uncool kids who ever waged silent war on the playground blacktop. Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton, 228-4651. 7 pm. Free.?

Noah Charney

In The Art Thief Charney takes readers on an action-packed adventure through the exciting world of legendary art heists and secrets of the world's most famous art cities. It's like The DaVinci Code, only real! And not dumb! Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St., 228-4651. 7:30 pm. Free.

Stephen Colbert Book Release Party

Stephen Colbert is perhaps the funniest man in America, nay­—the world. Double nay­—THE UNIVERSE. Combining the best two things in the galaxy (drinking and Stephen Colbert, duh), Blitz Bar is hosting a midnight release party for the "inventor of 'truthiness'" and his new book, I Am America (And So Can You!). The classy evening will include drink specials, live screenings of The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, and drinking games (take a swig every time Stephen uses the word "America"). Blitz, 110 NW 10th Ave., 222-2229, 11 pm. Free.

Tuesday Oct. 9

Androo Robinson and Maria Goodman

Robinson (who has perhaps the coolest name ever) and Goodman share from their Secret Mystery Love Shoes zine, which, now that I think of it, could also be the next Justin Timberlake album title. Sellwood-Moreland Library, 7860 SE 13th Ave., 6:30 pm. Free (with zines for sale).

Garrison Keillor

From the man who brought us the terrible, strained, "like mating cats" singing of Ms. Lindsay Lohan comes Pontoon, a humorous novel about the secret life of a recently deceased woman. Lauded as one of America's greatest storytellers, the Prairie Home Companion writer and performer brings his homespun tales to our city. Bagdad Theater, 3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd. 7 pm. Tickets $25.95. Available at the Bagdad, Crystal Ballroom and ticketmaster.com.