SPECIAL EVENTS

Book Sale, fiction books 50 cents each, plus other discounted items offered by the Friends of Pearl City Library, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. today, Pearl City Library; free admission. 453-6566.

Filipino Poetry Reading, closing event for the exhibit "Alimatuan," with poetry reading and performance art by Oscar Penaranda, Darlene Rodrigues and Johanna Almiron, 2 p.m. Sunday, The Contemporary Museum at Makiki Heights; included with museum admission of $5 for adults and $3 for students and seniors. 526-1322.

Aloha Shorts, weekly radio show with readings of short stories from local authors, 5 p.m. Mondays, on Hawaii Public Radio station KIPO 89.3 with host Cedric Yamanaka. This week, Stephanie Kuroda reads Michele Cruz Skinner's "Television Man" with musical guests The Essential Resophonics. www.hawaiipublicradio.org/alohashorts.htm.

Talk Story Radio, weekly radio show, hosted by Jeff Gere, 5:30 p.m. Mondays on Hawaii Public Radio station KIPO 89.3 FM, 7 p.m. Thursdays on KTUH 90.3 FM. This week, Lyn Ford tells the African-American tale "Clever Jackie" and Helen Topham tells "Lazy Jack." www.talkstoryradio.com.

Poetry Slam Workshop for Teens, ongoing Youth Speaks Hawai'i workshops in written and spoken word for ages 13-19, working with members of the HawaiiSlam team, 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays, The ARTS at Marks Garage; free. 387-9664.

BOOK SIGNINGS

Bill Colby reads from and signs "Unplugged: Reclaiming Our Right to Die in America," 7 p.m. Wednesday, Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall. 737-3323.

Christine Yano signs "Crowning the Nice Girl: Gender, Ethnicity and Culture in Hawai'i's Cherry Blossom Festival," noon-1 p.m. Saturday, Borders, Ward Centre. 591-8995.

Julie Ow signs "Population of 1," noon-1 p.m. Saturday, Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall. 737-3323.

Ilima Loomis signs "Rough Riders: Hawai'i's Paniolo and Their Stories," noon-1 p.m. Saturday, Borders, Hilo, Big Island. (808) 933-1410. Also, 2-3 p.m. Saturday, Basically Books, Hilo. (808) 961-0144.

Ian MacMillan signs "Seven Orchids," 2-3 p.m. Saturday, Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall. 737-3323.

Jeff Gere performs selections from and signs "Silly & Spooky," 6 p.m. Saturday, Bestsellers, Koko Marina Center. 394-2378.

FOR WRITERS

Honolulu Theatre for Youth calls for submissions for the Christmas Talk Story 2006 with selected scripts to be presented at Tenney Theater in December. Monologues or scenes must focus on themes or memories of Christmas or other winter holidays in Hawai'i, be five pages or less with a maximum of three characters, and be narrative in format. Mail submissions to Eric Johnson, Honolulu Theater for Youth, 229 Queen Emma Square, Honolulu, HI 96819 or to htyeric@gmail.com. Additional information: 839-9885, ext. 256. Deadline is Aug. 14.

READING GROUPS

Literature Readers Group, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Borders Ward Centre. 591-8995.

Bestseller Reading Group, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Borders, Waikele. 676-6699.

Contemporary Fiction Reading Group, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall. 737-3323.

Romance Readers Anonymous, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Borders, Waikele. 676-6699.

Romantic Borders Reading Group, 7 p.m. Thursday, Borders, Ward Centre. 591-8995.

Manga Book Group discusses Jin Kobayashi's "School Rumble, Vol. 2," 7 p.m. Thursday, Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall. 737-3323.

FOR KEIKI

Summer of Unfortunate Events, summer reading using the series of books by Lemony Snicket, 2 p.m. Sundays, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center; free; also, children receive a free book when they read eight books by any author and fill out a reading journal by Sept. 8. 949-7307.

Toddler Storytime, for ages 2 and 3, 10 a.m. Mondays through Aug. 21, Kapolei Public Library. 693-7050.

Tiny Tales for Tiny Tots, stories, fingerplays, songs and a craft to take home, for 4 and younger, 9-9:45 a.m. and 10:30-11:15 a.m. Tuesdays, Kalihi-Palama Public Library. 832-3466.

Keiki Storytime, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and 11 a.m. Saturdays, Borders, Waikele. 676-6699.

Pre-School Storytime and Activities, stories, sing-alongs and playtime, 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Waipahu Public Library. 675-0358.

Preschool Craft & Storytime, 11 a.m. Tuesdays, Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall (737-3323) and Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center (949-7307).

Read Me a Story, books read by volunteer storytellers, 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, Honolulu Academy of Arts, Keiki Reading Room in Gallery 31 (lower level of Banyan Court); for 12 and under and their parents; free for children, included with admission price of $7 for parents. 532-8700.

Keiki Storytime, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Borders, Ward Centre. 591-8995.

Storytimes, for all ages, 10 a.m. Thursdays through Aug. 24; Kapolei Public Library. 693-7050.

Saturday Storytime, 11 a.m. Saturdays, Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall. 737-3323

Saturday Morning Storytime, 11 a.m. Saturdays, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center. 949-7307.

Send announcements, with contact name and phone number, to Lit Beat, Island Life, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com, with "Lit Beat" in the subject line; or fax 525-8055.