~Gaston Bachelard (1884-1962)

* Tor author Steven Erikson delivers another book in his massive, gory fantasy series, Toll the Hounds: Book Eight of the Malazan Book of the Fallen. He’ll be reading and signing at the U-District UW Bookstore, tonight, Monday, September 22nd at 7:00 PM.

* University Bookstore and the Town Hall Center for Civic Life present French philosopher and author Bernard-Henri Lévy at Town Hall (downstairs), 7:30 – 9:00 PM tonight. Lévy will be discussing his book Left in Dark Times: A Stand Against the New Barbarism… and taking a stand. He’s a French philosopher, ergo expect lots of -isms. Tickets are $5.

* Alternatively, in the Great Hall, upstairs, NYT correspondent Dexter Filkins will be discussing his book, The Forever War (not to be confused with Joe Haldeman’s classic SF novel). A prize-winning war correspondent, Filkins is noted for the empathy he brings to his subjects, as well as his clear, accessible prose. Also, 7:30 – 9:00 PM, $5. Also presented by the Town Hall Center for Civic Life, in conjunction with Elliott Bay Books.

* Chuck Klosterman is at Elliott Bay Books tonight at 7:30 PM to read and discuss his first novel, Downtown Owl. I have not the faintest clue what it’s about. PW says, “Though no single narrative line binds the three—the event that ultimately unites them is a creaking deus ex machina—Klosterman creates a satisfying character study and strikes a perfect balance between the funny and the profound.” There you go.