THE BIG READ

For more events, visit www.hawaiicapitalculture.org and click on the "Big Read" logo.

Adult Story Program: "The Joy Luck Club," final portion of the novel read aloud; 12-1 p.m.; Nov. 21; state Library; free; 586-3499.

SPECIAL EVENTS

"The Hawaiian House Now," celebration of the book's publication, with brunch and book signing; brunch 10-11:45 a.m., book signing 12-1 p.m.; Nov. 18; The Contemporary Museum; brunch $30 ($25 museum members); reservations: 237-5210, gwong@tcmhi.org.

Revolution Books' 30th anniversary celebration, open house, entertainment and refreshments; 12-7 p.m.; Nov. 18; 2626 S. King St.; free; 944-3106.

"The Epic Tale of Hi'iakaikapoliopele," book reading by translator Puakea Nogelmeier; 3-5 p.m.; Nov. 18; Native Books/Na Mea Hawai'i, Ward Warehouse; free; 596-8885.

"Me and Him Are Killing English," talk by author Doug Carlson; 12-1 p.m.; Nov. 20; Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Regency Room; $18.35; 922-5526, administrator@honolulurotary.com.

Storytellers Nyla Fujii-Babb, Antonio Rocha and Juan L. Sanchez and performer Yukie Shiroma give free performances at public libraries across the state; through Nov. 20; locations and times: www.librarieshawaii.org.

Book exhibit, display of 400 science books for children; through Dec. 31; Salt Lake-Moanalua Public Library; normal borrowing guidelines apply; 831-6831.

Youth Speaks Hawai'i, slam poetry workshops, hosted by Kealoha, TravisT, Melvin, Darron and Lyz; 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays; The ARTS at Marks Garage; free; 387-9664.

Talk Story Radio, weekly radio show, hosted by Jeff Gere; 5:30 p.m. Mondays; broadcast on Hawaii Public Radio station KIPO 89.3 FM, 7 p.m. Thursdays; on KTUH 90.3 FM; www.talkstoryradio.com.

BOOK SIGNINGS

June Jones will sign the book "Hawai'i Warrior Football: A Story of Faith, Hope, and Redemption," 12-1 p.m. at Borders, Windward Mall, and 5-6 p.m. at Times Supermarket, Kaimuki, on Nov. 18; 734-7159.

Sally-Jo Bowman will sign her book, "No Footprints in the Sand: A Memoir of Kalaupapa," 2-3 p.m. Nov. 18 at Borders, Kona, Big Island; 808-331-1568.

Sandy Patterson will sign her book, "Crabby Crab," 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 24 at Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve; 397-5840.

Walter Liew will sign his book, "The Living Art of Bonsai," 12-1 p.m. at Borders, Ward Centre, and 4-5 p.m. at Borders, Windward Mall, on Nov. 24; 591-8995 (Ward), 235-8789 (Windward).

Betty Shimabukuro will sign her book, "What Hawai'i Likes to Eat," 2-3 p.m. Nov. 24 at Borders, Ward Centre; 591-8995.

Wanda Adams will sign her book, "Entertaining Island Style," 2-3 p.m. Nov. 24 at Borders, Maui Marketplace; 808-877-6160.

FOR WRITERS

The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts is accepting nominations for the Hawai'i Award for Literature; deadline Nov. 23; 586-9965, www.hawaii.gov/sfca.

Hawai'i Pacific University seeks entries from Hawai'i residents of one year or longer for the James M. Vaughan Award for Poetry: Submit three poems, each 100 lines or less, with contact information and the names of the three poems on a cover letter but no name on all other pages, plus a five-line biography to James M. Vaughan Award for Poetry, 1060 Bishop St., LB 7A, Honolulu, HI 96813. Entries must be postmarked by Dec. 1. 544-1108.

Stanford University Libraries and the William Saroyan Foundation are accepting nominations for the William Saroyan International Prize for Writing, which recognizes newly-published works of fiction and nonfiction; deadline Jan. 31; http://library.stanford.edu/saroyan.

FOR KEIKI

Hawaii Center for the Book, Letters About Literature essay contest for grades 4-12; deadline for entries Dec. 14; 586-3555.

O'ahu Family and Community Education Essay and Artwork Contest for fourth-graders; through Jan. 31; 455-2740.

Keiki storytime, 45-minute storytimes followed by simple craft for ages 3 and older; 10 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays; Kapolei Public Library; free; 693-7050.

Keiki storytime; 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and 11 a.m. Saturdays; Borders, Waikele; free; 676-6699.

Preschool craft & storytime; 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays; Barnes & Noble, Kahala; free; 737-3323.

Preschool craft & storytime; 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays; Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana; free; 949-7307.

Read Me a Story, books read by volunteer storytellers for 12 and younger and their parents; 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; Honolulu Academy of Arts; free for children, included with admission price of $7 for parents; 532-8700.

Toddler storytime, books, finger plays, matching games and songs for ages 1 1/2 to 3; 10:05 a.m. Wednesdays; McCully-Mo'ili'ili Public Library; free; 973-1099.

Keiki storytime, stories read aloud, finger plays and occasional crafts for ages 2 to 5; 11-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays; free; 266-9911.

Preschool storytime, stories read aloud, finger plays, sing-alongs and a craft for ages 2 1/2 and older; 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays; Pearl City Public Library; free; 453-6566.

Keiki storytime, stories, songs, sing-alongs and other activities; 10-10:30 a.m. Wednesdays; Kahuku Public & School Library; free; 293-8935.

Preschool storytime, stories read aloud, sing-alongs and a simple craft for ages 3-5; 10:30-11 a.m. Wednesdays; Wahiawa Public Library; free; 622-6345.

Keiki storytime; 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays; Borders, Ward Centre; free; 591-8995.

Puzzletime storytime, toddler stories and songs with time for educational board puzzles for ages 18 months and older; 9:30 a.m. Thursdays; Pearl City Public Library; free; 453-6566.

Children's storytime, listen to stories and learn a simple craft, for ages 3 and up; 10:30 a.m. Thursdays; Kaimuki Public Library; free; 733-8422.

Children's storytime; 3 p.m.; third Thursday of the month through May 2008; Kalihi-Palama Public Library; free; 832-3466.

Children's storytime, stories read aloud and simple crafts; 10 a.m. Saturdays; Waialua Public Library; free; 637-8286.

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.