Dubus's House of Sand and Fog was a literary smash hit, loudly pimped by snooty book critics and by Oprah. His newest, The Garden of Last Days, is about the last few weeks in the life of one of the September 11 hijackers—much of that time spent in a strip club. It promises to be the kind of book that's devoured in one tense sitting, even by people who swear that they never read. (Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave, 624-6600. 7:30 pm, $5.) PAUL CONSTANT

Chris Travis is the host of The Young & the Restless, 107.7 The End's Sunday-night local-music show. He's also co-owner of the small local label Burning Building, and if you ask nicely, he'll listen to your demo tape when no one else will. For his birthday, Travis shares the spotlight with his favorite Seattle bands—melodic, instrumental act You.May.Die.In.The.Desert opens the celebratory show, followed by To the Waves, Hungry Pines, and Speaker Speaker. It's his birthday, but you get the present! (Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave NW, 784-4880. 9 pm, $6, 21+.) MEGAN SELING