Reading Room

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 20

Tom Valenti discusses “Tom Valenti’s Soups, Stews, and One Pot Meals.” The chef who was part of the Upper West Side food revolution brings his expertise and ease to this new cookbook. If you enjoy the mellow, velvety, complex, and succulent flavors that come from one-pot meals cooked slowly, this is the book to have. Valenti will also bring food featured in the book. 5:30 p.m. at Borders Wall Street.

Ayun Halliday reads from “No Touch Monkey! And Other Travel Lessons Learned Too Late.” Halliday is the sole staff member of The East Village Inky, the 2002 Firecracker Alternative Book Award Winner for Best Zine. She is also the author of The Big Rumpus and she contributes frequently to BUST, Bitch and HipMama. 7 p.m. at Bluestockings Bookstore.

Jaime Manrique, the author of “Colombian Gold,” “Latin Moon in Manhattan,” and “Twilight at the Equator” is an associate professor in the M.F.A. program at Columbia University. 7 p.m. at the LGBT Center, $6 for members, $10 for nonmembers.

Richard Heffner discusses his book, “A Conversational History of Modern America.” Drawing on nearly fifty years of his broadcast conversations, as well as his own thoughtful perspective on the last half-century, Heffner has woven decades of provocative and thoughtful discussions with major figures from Malcolm X to Donald Rumsfeld, Gloria Steinem to Norman Mailer, Robert Caro to Jonas Salk into a unique and authoritative mosaic exploring the major issues of our time. 6:30 p.m. at Borders Park Avenue.

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 21

Willis Reed signs “Giants: Big Men Who Shook the NBA.” The Hall of Famer and former Knicks coach will sign copies of the book for which he wrote the introduction. The book is a look at the 25 greatest centers of all time. 12:30 p.m. at Borders Wall Street.

MONDAY NOVEMBER 24

Rock and Roll legend Lou Reed began experimenting with photography in the early 1990s, was part of a group show, and since then has given us little opportunity to see his work – until now. Tonight he shows slides and discusses the pictures featured in his new book, “Lou Reed: Emotion in Action.” 7 p.m. at Barnes and Noble Chelsea.

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 25

“Haymarket” is Martin Duberman’s vivid, historically faithful novel of the notorious Chicago riot of 1886 which led to the executions of the city’s best-known labor leaders. Mr. Duberman focuses on a young inter-racial couple who become part of a circle of activists and through them recreates the passion and turmoil of the era. Join the author as he reads from this politically charged novel. 7 p.m. Barnes and Noble Chelsea.

VENUES:

Borders:

Wall Street, 100 Broadway, 212 964 1988; Park Avenue, 461 Park Avenue at 57th St., 212 980 6785

Barnes and Noble:

Union Square, 33 E. 17th St.,

212 253 0810, barnesandnoble.com

Chelsea, 6th Ave. at 22nd St.,

212 727 1227 , barnesandnoble.com

Bluestockings Bookstore, 172 Allen St.

212 777 6028; bluestockings.com

Creative Visions Books, 548 Hudson St., two blocks above Christopher St.,

212 645 7573, creativevisionbooks.com

Housing Works Used Books Café,

126 Crosby St., 212 334 3324,

housingworks.org/usedbookcafe

Dance Theatre Workshop,

219 West 19th St.

212 924 0077, www.dtw.org

The Corner Bookstore,

1313 Madison Ave. (at 93rd Street),

212 831 3554

We also publish: