Literary Calendar

History Buffs Book Club - Discussion group open to the public for all history lovers. Tuesday, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Shadle Library, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave., meeting room. Free. (509) 847-3753.

Corbin Book Club - Discuss “Middlemarch” by George Eliot. Tuesday, 3 p.m., Corbin Senior Center, 827 W. Cleveland Ave. (509) 327-1584.

Nonfiction Book Group - Discuss “The Healing of America” by T.R. Reid. Tuesday, 7 p.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, mezzanine, 402 W. Main Ave. (509) 838-0206.

Happy 200th Birthday, Charlie - Dr. Beth Torgerson, Eastern Washington University professor and Victorian literature specialist, will offer an in-depth discussion on Charles Dickens’ life and how it relates to his writing. Dr. Torgerson will pay special attention to the Dickens characters that we love, and love to hate. Birthday cake and tea to be served following the lecture. Tuesday, 7 p.m., Tinman Gallery, 811 W. Garland Ave., Spokane. Free. (509) 325-1500.

North Spokane Library Book Club - Discuss “The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox” by Maggie O’Farrell. Wednesday, 7 p.m., North Spokane Library, 44 E. Hawthorne Road. Free. (509) 893-8350.

Author Renee D’Aoust - Sandpoint resident trained at Pacific Northwest Ballet and Martha Graham Center before starting her dance career in New York City. She presents her memoir, “Body of a Dancer,” which intertwines accounts of her own and other dancers’ lives. Wednesday, 7 p.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, mezzanine, 402 W. Main Ave. (509) 838-0206.

Naked Lunch Break - A weekly literary open mic every Thursday from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Share your poems, stories, essays, and other such assemblages of words; time limit is three minutes. Sign up at 11:30 a.m., readings start at noon. Drop by anytime during the open mic, as your schedule permits. Free and open to the public. Free pizza and refreshments. Sponsored by EWU & Riverpoint campus libraries. Thursday, WSU/EWU Riverpoint Campus, Phase I Auditorium, 668 N. Riverpoint Blvd. Free. (509) 368-6557.

‘Gnawing on a Thin Man’ Release Party - Presented by the Eastern Washington University creative writing program (the Inland Northwest Center for Writers). Admission includes a copy of the Acme Poem Company’s newest chapbook, “Gnawing on a Thin Man” by surrealist poet Ray Amorosi. Friday, 7 p.m., Kress Gallery, River Park Square, 808 W. Main Ave., level three. $10. (509) 363-5317.

Spokane Novelists Group - Strong critiquing of fiction only, novels and short stories. No poetry, nonfiction, memoirs, etc., please. Bring 5-10 pages to read to the group and 6-8 copies. Saturday, noon, Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave., Otis Orchards. Free. (509) 891-1695.

A Boy Called Dickens - For ages 4-9. Professional storyteller and actor Rebecca Cook will dramatize Deborah Hopkinson and John Hendrix’s tale written about Charles Dickens’ childhood and how that childhood led to a life of storytelling. Treats will be served. Saturday, 1 p.m. Tinman Gallery, 809 W. Garland Ave., Spokane. Free. (509) 325-1500.

Author Mike Athey - Will sign copies of his first novel, “Crab Creek Chronicles: The Beginning,” which is set in the towns of Ritzville and Spokane Falls in the year 1882. Saturday, 1-3 p.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. (509) 838-0206.

Literary Freedom Book Group - Discussion of “Mistress of the Art of Death” by Ariana Franklin. Saturday, 2 p.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, mezzanine II, 402 W. Main Ave. (509) 838-0206.

Shades of Black - The ninth annual Shades of Black show puts an entertaining, energetic, insightful and unique spin on black culture through dance, spoken word, stepping and song. Featuring individuals and students from Washington State University, Gonzaga University, Eastern Washington University, the University of Idaho, Boise State University and other campuses across the region. For more information, email to shadesofblackshow@ gmail.com. Saturday, 5 p.m., University of Idaho, Student Union Building Ballroom, 709 Deakin Ave., Moscow, Idaho. Free. (208) 885-7251.