Three events tonight.

Firstly, Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein, the authors of Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar are at the University Bookstore with Aristotle and an Aardvark Go To Washington. The previous book is about how philosophy can be fun, and the newest one is about how we can learn to crack the political doublespeak code. I have no patience whatsoever for this sort of thing, really. These two authors, who I suspect would really enjoy being referred to as “that wacky duo,” are delivering the kind of annoying, mushy ‘insight’ that a zany high school teacher ordinarily provides.

At Town Hall, Michael Connery is talking about his book Youth to Power, about getting the youth vote involved in democracy. This could be interesting, especially if a bunch of “Young people won’t vote in this election” people show up in an argumentative mood. (And if I can be permitted a brief observational statement: those people who dismiss the youth vote are usually Hillary supporters. Maybe this will come up tonight.) But if Connery starts talking about how amazing text messaging is, I suggest you abandon ship as soon as humanly possible: People who think that text messaging is some sort of evolutionary leap make my hair hurt.

And Philip L Fradkin is at Elliott Bay Book Company tonight with Wallace Stegner and the American West. If you’ve never read Wallace Stegner, this is your annual reminder that you should: Start with Angle of Repose or Crossing to Safety.

Full readings calendar, including the next week or so, here .