This week's literary events in Toronto feature a birthday celebration (the IV Lounge Reading Series marks it's tenth year) and the beginning of Asian Heritage Month.

Tuesday, May 6th:

Acclaimed Sci-Fi writer and editor Nalo Hopkinson will read from her latest book, The New Moon's Arms. Set on a fictional Caribbean island, this magical-realist novel combines politics, family, humour and the supernatural in the story of a woman named Calamity whose hot flashes give her the power to recover lost objects. Q&A to follow. Part of this year's Canada Council Heritage Series, presented by the Toronto Public Library.
Eatonville Branch. 7pm. Free.

Join author Jan Wong as she reads from her latest book Beijing Confidential: A Tale of Comrades Lost and Found. The work is an intriguing emotional journey into the past and a penetrating analysis of the "new" Beijing. Question and answer to follow. Call 416-395-5639 to register. Part of the TPL's Asian Heritage Month celebration.
North York Central Library Auditorium. 7pm. Free.

Come out and join the Warriors Clan! Meet "Erin Hunter", the authors of the popular "Warriors" series, as they reads from the latest book The Power of Three: Outcast. Enthusiasts should check out www.warriorcats.com to watch the amazing Warriors video, find out your Warriors name and clan, and download Warriors iron-ons to create your own t-shirts!
Indigo Yonge & Eglinton. 7pm. Free.

Jacob McArthur Mooney (author of the The New Layman's Almanac), Gianna Patriarca (My Etruscan Face) and Keith Garebian (Blue: The Derek Jarman Poems) are reading at this week's Art Bar Poetry Series.
Clinton's. 8pm. PWYC.

Join Valentino Assenza for the Last Call Poets Vs. Toronto Slam Fam. Wanna see a battle? Wanna see a poetic battle? Well that's what this is gonna be. Last Call Poets featuring Assenza, along with Amanda Hiebert and Dave Silverberg are going to slam against the Toronto Slam Fam, featuring Dane Jah Ras, Tomy Bewick, and Mike Smith.
Cervehttp://www.toronto.com/restaurants/listing/131400jaria. 8pm. $5.

Wednesday, May 7th:

Launched by the summer '04 award-winning, best-seller Brooklyn Noir, Akashic Books continues its groundbreaking series of original noir anthologies here in Toronto. Each book is comprised of all-new stories, each one set in a distinct neighborhood or location within the city. Meet Janine Armin and Nathaniel G. Moore (the editors), in conversation with contributors Peter Robinson and Heather Birrell.
Ben McNally Books. 6pm. Free.

Meet two of Toronto's Sci-Fi greats. Terence Green will read from his dazzling, philosophical time-travel novel, Sailing Time's Ocean, and Phyllis Gotlieb will share her thought-provoking space opera, Birthstones. Q&A to follow. Part of this year's Canada Council Heritage Series.
Cedarbrae Branch. 7pm. Free.

Meet best-selling author Stephanie Pearl McPhee, as she discusses her hilarious book of tongue-in-cheek observations on the world of knitting. Stephanie Pearl-McPhee Casts Off invites knitters of all ages, levels and persuasions to embark with her on a journey deep into the land populated by those who are obsessed with yarn, needles, and what's on their needles now. Question and answer to follow. Call 416-395-5639 to register.
North York Central Library Concourse. 7pm. Free.

In America Alone, columnist Mark Steyn takes on the great poison of the twenty-first century: the anti-Americanism that fuels both Old Europe and radical Islam. Come out and see Heather Reisman and Mr. Steyn discuss his bestselling book. Book signing to follow.
Indigo Bay & Bloor. 7pm. Free.

This month, the Rowers Pub Reading Series features Stephen Cain (author of American Standard/Canada Dry), Gale Zoë Garnett (Room Tone), Chandra Mayor (All the Pretty Girls) and Olive Senior (Shell).
Harbord House, 2nd Floor (150 Harbord St., formerly Rowers Pub and Grill). 7:30pm. Free, a hat will be passed.

International Readings at Harbourfront presents award-winning authors Susan Choi, reading from her latest novel A Person of Interest, Emily Perkins reads from her new book Novel About My Wife and Adriaan Van Dis reads from Repatriated - recently published in English translation. Anne Hines hosts.
Harbourfront Centre Brigantine Room. 7:30pm. $8.

"Kama" is the Sanskrit word for pleasure, and the annual Kama Reading Series celebrates the pleasure of reading, writing and living with books. This month, enjoy readings by Lawrence Hill, Kelley Armstrong, Anand Mahadevan and Miriam Toews. Books available for sale at each event.
Royal Ontario Museum. Doors open at 6:30pm, readings begin at 7pm. $60.

Thursday, May 8th:

Emily Pohl-Weary and Willow Dawson, the co-creators of Violet Miranda: Girl Pirate, present their graphic novel and talk about how they made it - from story to artwork to publication. Q&A to follow. Part of this year's Canada Council Heritage Series.
Centennial Branch. 5pm. Free.

Come out for a femme-tastic night of readings as Chandra Mayor launches her new short story collection All the Pretty Girls. Debra Anderson (author of Code White) and Zoe Whittall (Bottle Rocket Hearts) will also read and share some Toronto love. Authors will have books for sale and be available for book signings.
Toronto Women's Bookstore. 7-9pm. Free.

Douglas Hunter will read from his latest work, God's Mercies: Rivalry, Betrayal, and the Dream of Discovery; a historical work about death, deceit and dishonour, and the rivalry between Samuel de Champlain and Henry Hudson - two of the greatest explorers of the seventeenth century. James Raffan will read from Emperor of the North, an adventure-filled story of the legendary Hudson's Bay Company and of Sir George Simpson in the golden years of the 19th century. Question and answer period after both readings. Part of the TPL's Downtown Author Series.
Toronto Reference Library, Beeton Auditorium. 7pm. Free.

Come out for the launch of Naomi's Tree written by Joy Kogawa and illustrated by Ruth Ohi. A signing and reception will follow the launch. Presented by Ben McNally Books, celebrating Asian Heritage Month.
The Japan Foundation, 2nd Floor, Colonnade Building. 7pm. Free.

Do cities deserve an equal seat at the governing table alongside their provincial and federal counterparts? To celebrate the launch of his highly anticipated book, Urban Nation, Alan Broadbent will have a lively on-stage conversation about such urban issues with Toronto Mayor David Miller and Christopher Hume of the Toronto Star. A This Is Not A Reading Series event presented by Pages Books & Magazines.
Gladstone Hotel Ballroom. 7pm (doors 6:30pm). Free.

Jessica Westhead (author of Pulpy and Midge), Stephen Cain (American Standard/Canada Dry) and Monica Rosas are reading as part of Toronto WordStage.
Cervejaria. 7:30pm. Free.

At this installment of the TEST Reading Series, Clint Burnham and Stephen Collis will read from their latest works. Curated by Mark Truscott.
Mercer Union. 8pm. PWYC ($5 suggested donation).

Friday, May 9th:

#1 Wall Street Journal best-selling author Brian Klemmer, author of The Compassionate Samurai, shares with Toronto business owners how to succeed in business and make a difference in the world.
The Old Mill Inn & Spa. 8am- Business Networking and Refreshments, 9-11:30am- Brian Klemmer speaks. $25 in advance, $50 at the door.

The IV Lounge Reading Series is celebrating its 10th anniversary with readings by Elyse Friedman, Paul Vermeersch, Matthew Fox, Colin Carberry, Karen Press, Rick Crilly, Jacob Scheier, Adrienne Weiss, Rabea Murtaza and John McFetridge.
IV Lounge. 8pm. Free.

Saturday, May 10th:

Yoga & Writing - Together At Last! Spend the day stretching out your physical and creative blocks the newset yoga studio in Parkdale. RYT Heather Elson and creative writing instructor Sarah Selecky will lead a series of poses and writing exercises that are made to work together. This course is designed to bring forward the experience of deeper writing. Beginner or advanced, just bring a willingness to explore the unknown. To register, contact: info@yogaqueen.ca or call 416 516 2668
Yoga Queen. 9am to 4pm. $100

Join in the launch party for The Lucky Ones: Our Stories of Adopting Children from China edited by Ann Rauhala with a foreword from Jan Wong. From the early stages of the adoption process to bringing the child back home, this collection of personal stories reveals why parents who have adopted children from China feel - despite the challenges they've endured - truly lucky. Please RSVP to sarah@ecwpress.com.
Ryerson University, The Atrium, George Vari Engineering Building, 3rd Floor. 2pm. Free.

Monday, May 12th:

Fiery First Fiction, a national campaign promoting first-time fiction writers across the country, is hosting readings by seven writers, including Tricia Dower (author of Silent Girl), Pamela Stewart (Elysium), Nila Gupta (The Sherpa and Other Fictions), Lien Chao (The Chinese Knot), Shari Lapena (Things Go Flying), Nathan Whitlock (A Week of This) and Claudia Dey (Stunt).
Supermarket. 7pm. Free.

Join us for an evening of blood, guts and leather with three of Toronto's finest young horror writers. Sandra Kasturi will present readings from her own short stories and her husband Brett Savory's works, including the sinister coming-of-age tale In and Down and his disquietingly original short story collection, No Further Messages. Sèphera Girón will read selections from her novels of horror and erotica, Mistress of the Dark and Hungarian Rhapsody. Followed by Q&A and book-signing; books for sale by Bakka-Phoenix Science Fiction Bookstore. Part of this year's Canada Council Heritage Series.
Oakwood Village Branch. 7pm. Free.