~Oscar Wilde

* It’s a busy weekend for Seattle bibliophiles, starting at 7:00 PM tonight, with NY Times writer Lily Koppel at the U-District UW Bookstore. Koppel found someone’s diary in a dumpster, read it, tracked the poor woman down, and wrote Red Leather Diary: Reclaiming a Life Through the Pages of a Lost Journal. Every time I hear this story, I wonder, “what was Koppel doing in a dumpster?” A NYC dumpster, no less. Koppel will read at Elliott Bay Books on Saturday, September 13th at 2:00 PM, if you miss your chance tonight.

* Testify! Brian Phillip Welch (a.k.a. “Head”) former lead guitarist (1993-2005) of Korn, kicked several addictions, found Jesus, got a few more tattoos, quit masturbating, and wrote a book, Save Me from Myself: How I Found God, Kicked Drugs, Quit Korn, and Lived to Tell My Story. Tonight at 7:30 PM he’ll be at Elliott Bay Books to tell all about it, and to promote his recently released solo album, also called Save Me from Myself. I sense a theme.

* Also at 7:30 PM, Open Books in Wallingford is hosting poet John Witte. Witte will read from his collection Second Nature, part of the UW Press’s Pacific Northwest Poetry Series. On Saturday, he’ll head south, to reprise his performance for Elliot Bay Books (September 13th, 7:30 PM).

* California Representative Barbara Lee makes an appearance at Elliott Bay Books on Saturday at 4:30 PM to read and sign Renegade for Peace & Justice: Congresswoman Barbara Lee Speaks for Me. Representative Lee was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005, as part of 1000 Women for Peace. Co-presented with the Institute For Community Leadership.

* For something completely different, head down to Fantagraphics Books & Gallery for NY cartoonist and illustrator Danny Hellman. He’ll be signing Typhon: Volume I, an anthology of work by 42 cartoonists, 6:00 – 9:00 PM. Seattle contributors D.J. Bryant, Dalton Webb, Pat Moriarity, Max Clotfelter, and Mark Campos will also attend.

* On Sunday, September 14th at 2:00 PM, Elliot Bay Books will be graced by the presence of NY Times writer Katie Hafner. Her Romance on Three Legs: Glenn Gould’s Obsessive Quest for the Perfect Piano is a beautiful story, beautifully told.

* Travel buffs might be interested in the Adventures in Travel Expo going on this weekend at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. Tickets are pretty cheap—just $14—for two days of seminars, exhibits, and presentations by travel writers, adventurers, and activists. Highlights include Philippe Cousteau, founder and ECO of EarthEcho International; Jon Bowermaster, the writer and filmmaker who kayaked Antarctica; and Rick Steves, Seattle’s own travel guru, author, and marijuana activist. Check the website for hours and schedules.