Author Bonita Gilbert - The Coeur d’Alene author presents “Building for War: The Epic Saga of the Civilian Contractors and Marines of Wake Island in World War II.” Gilbert teaches history at North Idaho College. Today, 1 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 15310 E. Indiana Ave., Spokane Valley. Free. (509) 922-4104.

Palouse County Cowboy Poetry - “A Roaring Good Time” with J.B. Barber, Dave Nordquist, Dick Warwick, Bodie Dominguez, “Farmer” Dave Fulfs and Hal Olson. Warwick won a first-place silver buckle in a national competition at an annual National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo where competitors came from all over the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Today, 2-4 p.m., Dahmen Barn, 419 N. Park Way, Uniontown. $7. (509) 229-3414.

An Evening with Mark Twain and Abraham Lincoln - Live performance by Dave Ehlert of Branson, Mo., as part of the Post Falls Library Adult Program. Ehlert will portray Lincoln and Twain in this presentation full of humor, drama and education. Sponsored by the Frank Henderson Speakers Series and the Post Falls Library Foundation. Monday, 7 p.m., Post Falls Library, 812 N. Spokane St., Post Falls. Free, no registration required. (208) 773-1506.

Food and Memories: North Idaho Reads - Join executive chef Adam Hegsted as he prepares dishes using local ingredients designed to delight the senses. Participants will be entertained as he prepares the meal, tells stories and shares culinary secrets. The bus leaves Riverstone Plaza (near Riverstone Drive and Seltice Way) at 1:15 p.m. After the two-hour program, you may return at your leisure on a Citylink bus. The bus departs the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort every 75 minutes. Tuesday, 2 p.m., Coeur d’Alene Casino, 37914 S. Nukwalqw Road, Worley. $5. (800) 523-2464.

Kids Explore & Discover Club - Join Kelly Milner Halls, author of “Dinosaur Mummies” and “Dinosaur Travel Guides,” and learn about dinosaurs. You will also create a dinosaur artifact of your own. Tuesday, 3:30 p.m., Airway Heights Library, 1213 S. Lundstrom St., Airway Heights, (509) 893-8250; Wednesday, 4 p.m., Cheney Library, 610 First St., Cheney, (509) 893-8280.

Poetry Scribes of Spokane - Wholesome poetry for ages 18 and older. Bring a favorite poem to read. Wednesday, 1 p.m., North Spokane County Library, 44 E. Hawthorne Road. (509) 796-2180.

Authors Bruce Holbert and Shawn Vestal - Part of the Gonzaga University Visiting Writers Series. Holbert is a graduate of the University of Iowa Writers Workshop. His fiction has appeared in The Iowa Review, Hotel Amerika, Other Voices, The Antioch Review, Crab Creek Review and other places. His nonfiction has appeared in The New Orleans Review, The Spokesman-Review and the Daily Iowan. He recently co-authored, with his wife, “Signed, Your Student” (Kaplan Press), a collection of remembrances of influential teachers recounted by prominent Americans. His first novel “Lonesome Animals” was released in May 2012 by Counterpoint Press. Vestal is a columnist and reporter for The Spokesman-Review. He was raised in the Mormon faith, which inspired his first book, the short story collection “Godforsaken Idaho.” His stories have appeared in McSweeney’s, Tin House, American Short Fiction, EcoTone, and Best American Fantasy. Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., Gonzaga University, Cataldo Hall, Globe Room, 502 E. Boone Ave. Free. (509) 328-4220.

2013 Individual World Poetry Slam - Thursday-Saturday. Spokane hosts this performance poetry competition featuring 72 of the top poets from across North America and beyond. Poets will perform in four rounds over two nights of preliminary competition and are judged by members of the audience chosen at random. The top 12 poets will compete in the finals Saturday, 7-10 p.m., at The Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave. In addition to the competition, this year’s event also includes 21 side events that are open to the public, such as open mics, showcases, panel discussions, and workshops. Visit iwps.poetryslam.com for locations and times. Day events are free; $7/preliminary rounds and late night events; $25/finals. (208) 340-2750.

Spokane Authors and Self-Publishers - Russ Davis of Gray Dog Press will discuss ebooks, including types, formats, setting up and markets. Thursday, noon, Teppanyaki Restaurant, 5504 N. Division St. Lunch purchase is required at the door. (509) 325-9922.

Author Chet Caskey - A reading, discussion and signing. Thursday, 7 p.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. (509) 838-0206.

Ice Age Floods Illustrated Presentation - Geologist Eugene Kiver presents “Ice Age Floods in the Pacific Northwest, The Northern Reaches.” Before and after the program, he will sign the new book he co-authored, “On the Trail of the Ice Age Floods: The Northern Reaches: A geological field guide to northern Idaho and the Channeled Scabland.” Thursday, 7 p.m., Sandpoint Community Hall, 204 S. First Ave., Sandpoint. Free. (208) 255-1284.

Friends of the Library Book Sale Spokane Valley - Preview sale will be Friday, 3-5 p.m., with $10 admission for first-choice selection. Sale on Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., hard backs will be 50 cents and paperbacks will be 25 cents. The money goes to support the Spokane Valley Library programs. Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave., Spokane Valley. (509) 893-8400.

Medical Lake Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale - Friday and Saturday. The Friends of the Medical Lake Library will hold their semiannual book sale, featuring gently used books, DVDs, CDs and more. 10 a.m., Medical Lake Library, 321 E. Herb St., Medical Lake. (509) 893-8330.

Terrain 6 - Artwork from 103 artists, plus 10 films and 10 bands. From painting to poetry to interactive art to film, this event showcases everything that makes the Inland Northwest a vibrant, beautiful and culture-rich place. Friday, 5 p.m., Terrain, Music City Building, 1011 W. First Ave. Free.

Author John Keeble - Book launch for his new thriller, “The Shadows of Owls.” The story follows a marine biologist whose research threatens the construction of an oil pipeline in Alaska’s Chukchi Sea. She and her family are pulled into a web of international intrigue and violence. Keeble is professor emeritus of creative writing at Eastern Washington University. Friday, 7 p.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. (509) 838-0206.

Author Tess Taylor - Her book “The Misremembered World” was selected by Eavan Boland and published by the Poetry Society of America. Her poetry and nonfiction have appeared in The Atlantic, Boston Review, Harvard Review, Literary Imagination, The Times Literary Supplement and The New Yorker. She reviews poetry for NPR’s “All Things Considered” and teaches writing at the University of California at Berkeley. Taylor’s “The Forage House” is out from Red Hen Press. Friday, 7:30 p.m., BookPeople, 521 S. Main St., Moscow. Free. (208) 882-2669.

Spokane Humane Society Booktober Book Sale – Saturday-Oct. 6. Come and browse more than 20,000 gently used books, magazines, CDs, DVDs and other items. Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; and Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Donated books and other items gladly accepted beforehand. Spokane Humane Society, 6607 N. Havana St. (509) 467-5235, ext. 211.

Fall Storytime – Listen to some stories to celebrate this wonderful time of the year. Saturday, 11 a.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, children’s section, 402 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 838-0206.

Stars Wars Reads Day - Second annual event with costume contest, door prizes, a trivia contest, crafts and refreshments. Darth Vader will visit along with one of his loyal storm troopers. Saturday, 12:30 p.m., Coeur d’Alene Library, Community Room, 702 E. Front Ave., Coeur d’Alene. Free. (208) 769-2315.

Author Jess Hughes - Signing of his book, “The Sign of the Eagle.” The action and suspense novel set in ancient Rome. Macha, daughter of a Celtic king and wife of the Roman tribune, Titus, is the only one who can prove her husband’s innocence, solve a murder and more. Saturday, 1 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 15310 E. Indiana Ave., Spokane Valley. (509) 922-4104.

Star Wars Reads Day – Come for costume contests, trivia, crafts and more. Saturday, 1 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 15310 E. Indiana Ave., Spokane Valley. (509) 922-4104.

Author Melissa Lowdon - She will sign copies of her book “Trial and Error … Then Repeat.” In her heartening and humorous memoir, Lowdon seeks out her identity and realizes that it is necessary to make mistakes, even big ones. Saturday, 2 p.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. (509) 838-0206.