SPECIAL EVENTS

Book Sale, videos, recordings, adult and children's books and computer programs at reduced prices, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. today, Pearl City Public Library; free admission, sponsored by Friends of Pearl City Library. 453-6566.

Kaidan Kalabash, storytellers Nyla Ching-Fujii, Alton Chung, "Tita" Kathy Collins, Jeff Gere, Lopaka Kapanui and Karen Yamamoto-Hackler share spooky stories, 1-5 p.m. today for all ages and 7:30-9 p.m. today for adult and older children, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i; free. 945-7633.

"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. www.hawaiipublicradio.org/alohashorts.htm.

"Talk Story Radio," weekly 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, "Two Spooky Changing Women," with Lopaka Kapanui telling "Renton Road Rental" and Jeff Gere telling "Cat Woman." www.talkstoryradio.com.

Fall Common Book Project, community reading and discussion of Thomas Friedman's "The World is Flat," and Barbara Ehrenreich's "Nickel and Dimed." Windward residents are encouraged to read the books and attend the public lectures, 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Windward Community College's Hale Akoakoa, room 101; free. This week: "Globalization in the Pacific," a talk by Tarcisius Kabutaulaka on the impact of globalization on Pacific island cultures and economies. 235-7340.

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

Ka Palapala Po'okea Book Awards Ceremony, Hawaii Book Publishers Association honors the year's best books and authors ,5:30-9 p.m. Friday, Mission Memorial Auditorium (next to Honolulu Hale); free. 848-4135.

"Burning Books and Leveling Libraries," lecture by Rebecca Knuth on modern day destruction of books and libraries in countries such as Afghanistan, Kashmir, Germany, Cambodia and Iraq, 10 a.m. Saturday, UH-Manoa Hamilton Library's Yap conference room, first floor; free. 956-9932.

"G. Stephens: Australian Critic, Nationalist and Traveler" talk by Peter Hoffenberg in the Biography Brown-Bag series, noon-1:15 p.m. Saturday, UH-Manoa, Henke Hall 325; free. 956-3774.

BOOK-SIGNINGS

Mellie Enos signs "The Guide to Making Ribbon Lei," 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Hilo Hattie, Nimitz Highway. 535-6500.

Mackinnon Simpson signs "Century of Aloha: The Creation of Modern Honolulu, 1905-2005," 12:30-1:30 p.m. Thursday, Bestsellers, Bishop Square. 528-2378. Also, noon-1 p.m. Saturday, Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall. 737-3323.

Laurie Ide signs "Okazu at the Zoo," 12:30-1:30 p.m. Friday, Bestsellers, Bishop Square. 528-2378.

Billy Bergin signs "Loyal to the Land: The Legendary Parker Ranch, 1950-1970, Volume 2 — The Senior Stewards," 3-6 p.m. Friday, Parker Ranch Store, Waimea. (808) 885-2303.

Sam Choy signs, "Aloha Cuisine," noon-1 p.m. Saturday, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center. 949-7307.

Lopaka Kapanui signs "The Legend of Morgan's Corner," noon-1 p.m. Saturday, Borders, Pearlridge; 487-1818. Also, 2-3 p.m. Saturday, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center; 949-7307.

Ilima Loomis signs "Rough Riders: Hawai'i's Paniolo and Their Stories, noon-1p.m. Saturday, Borders Express, Queen Kaahumanu Shopping Center, Kahului, Maui. (808) 871-6112.

Dean Okimoto and Hayley Matson-Mathes sign "The Hawai'i Farmers Market Cookbook," noon-1 p.m. Saturday, Navy Exchange, Mall at Pearl Harbor. 423-3330.

Jean Watanabe Hee signs, "Hawai'i's Best Soups, Salads & Sides," 2-3 p.m. Saturday, Navy Exchange, Mall at Pearl Harbor. 423-3330.

William Squire and Laura Boulay sign "The Mode's Workbook," 2 p.m. Saturday, Barnes & Noble, Kahala. 737-3323.

FOR WRITERS

Writing Retreat, meet other authors and share non-critical responses led by Lillian Cunningham, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Windward Community College Hale Na'auao 146; $5. 235-7433.

Young Minds II: How to Sell Your Children's book, workshop led by Cristina Salat sharing information on the publishing industry and how to market your work, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Volcano Art Center, Big Island; $55. (808) 967-8222.

O'ahu Arts Center seeks entries in fiction, nonfiction and poetry for its third annual writing contest for cash awards. One entry per category, $10 per entry. Prospectus: www.oahuartscenter.org, 848-7632. Deadline is Nov. 10.

Hawai'i Pacific University seeks entries for the James M. Vaughan Poetry Awards, with a $500 cash prize and publication in the Hawai'i Pacific Review. Send three unpublished poems, no more than 100 lines each, with a short personal biography and your name, address, phone and e-mail address to: James M. Vaughan Award for Poetry, 1060 Bishop St., Suite 7, Honolulu, HI 96813. Information: 544-1108. Postmark deadline is Dec. 15.

2006 Kumu Kahua Theatre/UHM Theatre Department Playwriting Contest, with prizes in three categories: plays set in Hawai'i or reflect the Hawaiian experience by residents or nonresidents, plays set in or dealing with Pacific Island, Pacific Rim or Pacific/Asian American experience by residents or nonresidents, and plays on any topic written by Hawai'i residents. Information: 536-4222, www.kumukahua.org. Entry deadline is Jan. 2.

READING GROUP

Contemporary Fiction Reading Group, discussion of Ronlyn Dominque's "Mercy of Thin Air," 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Barnes & Noble, Kahala. 737-3323.

FOR KEIKI

Toddler Storytime, stories, sing-alongs and crafts for ages 2-3, 10 a.m. Mondays, 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, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Waipahu Public Library; free. 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.

Preschool Storytime, stories and playtime for children 2 1/2 and older, 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Pearl City Public Library. 453-6566.

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

Pre-School Storytime, stories read aloud, sing-alongs and a simple craft, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Wahiawa Public Library. 622-6345. Also, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Liliha Public Library. 587-7577.

Storytimes, stories, sing-alongs and crafts for preschoolers, 10 a.m. Thursdays and Saturdays, Kapolei Public Library. 693-7050.

Saturday Storytime, 1 a.m. Saturdays, Barnes & Noble, Kahala. 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 Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com, with "Lit Beat" in the subject line; or fax 525-8055.