SPECIAL EVENTS

59th annual Friends of the Library Book Sale, large selection of novels, non-fiction, children's books, cookbooks, Hawaiiana and music at reduced prices, continues 9 a.m.-9 p.m. today; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, McKinley High School cafeteria; free admission. 536-4174.

Jeff Gere performs selections from his CD, "Silly 'n Spooky: Tales of Kids in Hawai'i," noon today, Borders Express, Windward Mall, Kane'ohe; free. 235-8044. Also, 2 p.m. today, BookEnds, Kailua; free (261-1996) and with Les Adam, pianist who plays on the CD, 3 p.m. Saturday, Waimea Valley Audubon Center; included with admission of $8 adult and $5 children with discounts for military, seniors and kama'aina. 638-9199.

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. This week, Lisa Linn Kanae reads "Born Again Hawaiian" and "Sassy the Banyan Veranda." www.hawaiipublicradio.org/alohashorts.htm.

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.

BOOK SIGNINGS

Beverly Valtierra signs "Connections: A Woman's Guide for Relational Living," 2 p.m. today, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center. 949-7307.

Jim Becker signs "Saints, Sinners and Shortstops," noon-1 p.m. Saturday, Borders, Ward Centre. 591-8995.

Mark Sullivan signs "Hawaii's Tropical Drinks and Gelatin Party Shots," noon-1 p.m. Saturday, Native Books/Na Mea Hawai'i, Ward Warehouse. 596-8885.

FOR WRITERS

Honolulu Chapter of the National Writers Association, monthly meeting, with guest speaker Bob Sigall, author of "The Companies We Keep," 7 p.m. Tuesday, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center. 845-9585.

READING GROUPS

African American Literary Reading Group, 6:15-8:30 p.m. tomorrow, 1331 Kapi'olani Blvd., room 610. Call for book title: 597-1341.

Literature Readers Group, discussion of Haruki Murakami's "Kafka on the Shore," 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

Summer of Unfortunate Events, summer reading using the series of books by Lemony Snicket, 2 p.m. Sundays, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center; free. 949-7307.

Toddler Storytime, for ages 2 and 3, 10 a.m. Mondays through Aug. 21, Kapolei Public Library. 693-7050.

"Read To a Dog," children can improve their reading skills by reading aloud to a therapy dog from Hawaii Fi Do Services, 10 a.m. tomorrow, Kahuku Public & School Library. 293-8935. Registration required.

"It's Book Time with Ronald McDonald," interactive performance featuring readings, music, games and magic, 10:30 a.m. tomorrow, 'Aiea Public Library (483-7333); also, 11 a.m. Thursday, Waipahu Public Library (675-0358); 10:30 a.m. Friday, Wahiawa Public Library (622-6345); 11 a.m. Saturday, 'Aina Haina Public Library (377-2456) and 1 p.m. Saturday, Manoa Public Library (988-0459). All events are free.

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, stories, sing-alongs and playtime, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays through July 18, Waipahu Public Library. 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.

David Del Rocco, children's stories with local flavor, 3 p.m. Tuesday, Waikiki-Kapahulu Public Library; free. 733-8488.

Keiki Story Time, guest librarians read to children ages 6 and under, 10 a.m. Wednesday, Kahuku Public & School Library. 293-8935.

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

Meet Jeff Langcaon, author and illustrator of "Grandpa's Magic Banyan Tree," reads from his book and gives a drawing demonstration, 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, McCully-Mo'ili'ili Public Library; free with prizes for all children. 973-1099.

Storytimes, for all ages, 10 a.m. Thursdays through Aug. 24; also, 10 a.m. Saturdays through Aug. 26 (except July 1 and 22); Kapolei Public Library. 693-7050.

"Island-Kine Stories," storyteller Janice Terukina shares humorous folktales, poetry and games, 10 a.m. Saturday, Waialua Bandstand at the final event for the Waialua Public Library's children's reading program; free. 637-8286.

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.