Bruce Taylor reads tonight at Third Place Books. Mountains of the Night is the first book to be entirely produced by Third Place Press, the new publishing arm of Third Place Books. It has something to do with magical realism. They will be publishing copies of the books before the event for anyone who wants one, which would make this a very good excuse to go check out their brand-new magical book-making machine.

Pilot Books continues Small Press Fest with Ezra Mark. Mark writes "non-narrative prose" and has written two books, with a third book allegedly in the works (albeit 'slowly.') You can find some of his poetry here.

And University Book Store hosts Christopher Barzak. Barzak is a sci-fi author who has won a bunch of awards and written a ton of short stories. He's not what you picture as the typical sci-fi author who writes about grunting men and pouting women and tentacled beasts. His work has a weird, ethereal edge to it. I recommend his short fiction.

But the reading of the night is clear: Karen Finneyfrock reads at Elliott Bay Book Company tonight. Constant Reader is all about Finneyfrock's new book this week:

If you've never enjoyed poetry once in your whole life—if even the word "poetry" makes you want to fall asleep, or die—you should read Karen Finneyfrock's new book of poetry, Ceremony for the Choking Ghost. Finneyfrock (a local slam poet, Hugo House writer in residence, and novelist) writes poetry with muscular verve and narrative push. The depth and breadth suggested in just a few polished images placed next to each other will make you reconsider what poetry can do.

The full readings calendar, including the next week or so, is here. And if you're planning on staying in and you're looking for personalized book recommendations, feel free to tell me the books you like and ask me what to read next over at Questionland.