SPECIAL EVENTS

Book Sale, children's books 25 cents each, plus other items at discounted prices offered by the Friends of Pearl City Library, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. today, Pearl City Library; free admission. 453-6566.

GiRL FeST Hawaii Spoken Word events: Alix Olson presents "Speakeasy," noon-2 p.m. today; Marc Bamuthi Joseph "Spoken Word Spoken True," 3-5 p.m. today; and Open Mike with Selah Geissler, 7-10 p.m. today; The ARTS at Marks Garage; $10 adult; $5 children 17 and under for each event. 521-2903.

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.

An Evening with Anne Kennedy, author of "The Time of the Giants," reads her poetry and discusses her work, 7 p.m. Tuesday, UH-Manoa's HIG auditorium (near Kuykendall courtyard); free.

Talk Story Radio, weekly radio 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. www.talkstoryradio.com.

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.

Eddie Sherman shares stories from his book "Frank, Sammy, Marlon and Me: Adventures in Paradise with the Celebrity Set," 11 a.m. Thursday, Temple Emanu-El during the Hawaii Jewish Seniors luncheon; $6 for temple members, $10 nonmembers. Reservations deadline is Tuesday. 595-7521.

Dale Hope, author of "The Aloha Shirt: Spirit of the Islands," will discuss and sign his book and show a vintage aloha shirt, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Kailua Public Library; free; a copy of Hope's book will be awarded to the person wearing the best or oldest aloha shirt. 266-9911.

Book Sale, used books, CDs and videos at reduced prices, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Waipahu Public Library; free admission. 675-0358.

Youth Speaks Hawaii Poetry Slam, open mike for poets, ages 13-19, 3:30-5 p.m. Saturday, The ARTS at Marks Garage; slam sign-up at 3 p.m.; free, sponsored by The Starbucks Foundation. 521-2903.

BOOK SIGNINGS

Linda Ching signs "Waimea, A Big Island Treasure," 1-2 p.m. today, Bishop Museum Gift Shop. 848-4158. Also, noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Macy's Ala Moana Center, Island Home section, fourth floor. 941-2860.

Karen Anderson signs "The Hawai'i Home Book," 2-3 p.m. today, Borders, Hilo, Big Island. (808) 933-1410. Also, 7-8 p.m. Friday, Borders Express, Windward Mall, Kane'ohe, 235-8044; noon-1 p.m. Saturday, Borders, Ward Centre, 591-8995; 2-3 p.m. Saturday, Borders, Pearlridge, 487-1818; 4-5 p.m. Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall, 737-3323.

Jean Watanabe Hee signs "Hawai'i's Best Soups, Salads and Sides," 12:30-1:30 p.m. Friday, Bestsellers, Bishop Square. 528-2378.

Sharon Jeffers signs "Cards of Destiny," 2 p.m. Saturday, Borders, Ward Centre. 591-8995.

Jerusha Stewart discusses and signs "The Single Girl's Manifesta," 2 p.m. Saturday, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center. 949-7307.

FOR WRITERS

Empowered by the Pen, workshop by Tom Peek, with writing exercises and discussion of the writing process for writers of all levels using Natalie Goldberg's "Wild Mind" methods, 9 a.m.-5 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.

READING GROUPS

Literature Readers Group, discussion of V.S. Naipaul's "Half a Life," 7 p.m. Tuesday, Borders Ward Centre. 591-8995.

Bestseller Reading Group, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Borders, Waikele. 676-6699.

Contemporary Fiction Reading Group, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall. 737-3323.

Romance Readers Anonymous, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Borders, Waikele. 676-6699.

Romantic Borders Reading Group, 7 p.m. Thursday, Borders, Ward Centre. 591-8995.

FOR KEIKI

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.

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.

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

Pre-School Storytime, stories read aloud, sing-along songs and a simple craft, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 25, Wahiawa Public Library. 622-6345.

Play Mornings, educational toys for children to explore, 10 a.m. Thursdays through Sept. 28, Kapolei Public Library. 693-7050.

Saturday Storytime, 11 a.m. Saturdays, Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall. 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 Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com, with "Lit Beat" in the subject line; or fax 525-8055.