Reading Room

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 6

In “What We Lost,” a haunting new memoir of his father’s boyhood, Dale Peck tells the story of a boy growing up in a poor, troubled family before finding peace and love on his uncle’s farm in upstate New York. Tonight the author reads from his book, which manages to be both deeply personal and absolutely universal. 7 p.m. at Barnes and Noble Chelsea.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7

Elana Dykewomon will appear in New York to celebrate the new edition of her award-winning novel, “Beyond the Pale.” Set in the early 20th century, the novel follows the lives of two Russian immigrant women and their lives of work, activism and love in New York City. 6:30 p.m. Lower East Side Tenement Museum, 90 Orchard St. 212 431-0233, free.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8

Melody Ermachild Chavis presents her newest work of nonfiction, ”Meena: Heroine of Afghanistan,” which chronicles the fascinating life and martyr’s death of the founder of Afghanistan’s oldest surviving women’s rights group, Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan, or RAWA. As a 20-year-old student at Kabul University, Meena took great personal risks in order to fulfill her dreams of peace and democracy for her embattled country. 8 p.m. at Bluestockings Bookstore, free.

Harlyn Aizley will read from “Buying Dad:  One Women’s Search for the Perfect Sperm Donor.” What do two nice Jewish girls do when they want to start a family? They can marry two nice Jewish boys, or, if they happen to be lesbians, they can buy sperm online from California! 5 p.m. at Creative Visions Bookstore.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10

Often punny, often socially conscious, you can’t help but be aware of Kenneth Cole’s advertising – even if you don’t wear his shoes, carry his bags, look at his watch, wear his pants or hold them up with his belts. In his new book, “Footnotes,” this designer of all apparel discusses his outlook, insight, overview and a bit about the business as well. 7 p.m. at Barnes and Noble Chelsea.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11

Julie Otsuka reads from her mesmerizing novel, “When The Emperor Was Divine,” which details a Japanese-American family’s internment during World War II. Told from the perspective of each family member, this eloquent novel was the second place winner in the 2002 Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Award, Fiction. 7 p.m. at Barnes and Noble Chelsea.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13

Louis Bayard will be reading from his new book, “Mr. Timothy.” When last we heard from Tiny Tim, he seemed to be the epitome of hope and innocence, a pious child with a positive outlook on life despite the suffering he had already endured. In “Mr. Timothy,” Louis Bayard introduces us to the adult Timothy Cratchit and the unexpected world in which he now lives. 7 p.m., Partners and Crime.

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 25

Martin Duberman, founder of the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies at CUNY and a renowned scholar, reads from his new book, and first novel, “Haymarket,” about labor activism in the 1880s and the working-class radicalism that spurred the Haymarket Riot in Chicago. 7 p.m., Barnes and Noble Chelsea

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