BOOK BRIEFS

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BOOKS INSPIRE DISPLAYS, EVENTS ON FIRST FRIDAY

The Arts Factory, 101 E. Charleston Blvd., is featuring two exhibits inspired by local books this month.

Jorge Betancourt Polanco's works of art and illustrations from his new book "Dreamygirl's Field of Wishes" will be on display from 6 to 9 p.m. during First Friday activities. The author is expected to be on hand to sign books.

Inside the Arts Factory, the Contemporary Arts Collective is hosting an art exhibition based on Matt O'Brien's book, "Beneath the Neon: Life and Death in the Tunnels of Las Vegas."

Local artist Brian "Paco" Alvarez re-created the storm drains O'Brien explored for his book in the gallery using water, gravel and graffiti.

The exhibit includes artifacts and video footage of O'Brien's adventures in the tunnels. Also included is photography of the tunnels by Danny Mollohan.

A pre-First Friday reception is set for 6 p.m. Thursday.

At 6 p.m. July 17, O'Brien is set to sign books at the exhibit and participate in a panel discussion along with former drain-dweller William Wielan.

For more information, call 382-3886.

TEA PARTY TO LAUNCH BOOK

Crack out your fancy hat for a tea party and hat contest to launch the release of "Her Royal Pain," a Rhys Bowen mystery set in 1930s England.

The party is set for 5 p.m. July 8 at Cheesecake and Crime, 10545 S. Eastern Ave., No. 100.

'GRANNY MCFANNY' READINGS SCHEDULED AT BOOKSTORES

Lewis Kimberly plans to participate in a children's storytime and sign copies of "Granny McFanny" from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the 567 N. Stephanie St. Barnes & Noble.

TIGER KING TALE SIGNING SET

Louis Mydlach is scheduled to sign "The Secret Life of Siegfried and Roy: How the Tiger Kings Tamed Las Vegas" at 2 p.m. July 12 at the 8915 W. Charleston Blvd. Barnes & Noble.

FEDER TO SIGN 'THE HERETIC'

Andrew Feder plans to sign copies of "The Heretic" at 1 p.m. July 12 at the 8915 W. Charleston Blvd. Barnes & Noble. The book is a sequel to his "When The Angels Have Risen."

SUPER EDITORS PREPARE TO RESCUE WRITERS AT LIBRARY

Join Robert Pilkington of Wolf Tracks Publishing and his panel of experts as they delve into the secret lives of editors for a panel presentation titled "When Spellchecker Fails ... Super Editors to the Rescue!" set for 6:30 p.m. July 23 in the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road.

A book signing and reception will follow.

Call 507-3458 for more information.

FIGHTER'S LIFE STORY TOLD IN NEW BOOK

A book event for Randy Couture's "Becoming the Natural: My Life In and Out of the Cage" is set for 7 p.m. July 31 at the 8915 W. Charleston Blvd. Barnes & Noble.

BOOK FESTIVAL PUTS OUT A CALL FOR LOCAL AUTHORS

The Vegas Valley Book Festival isn't until Nov. 6-8, but organizers are already taking applications from writers interested in participating in the Nov. 8 Local Author's Expo downtown at the Fifth Street School. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the school's gallery space will be packed with tables for authors to present books. Exhibit space is free, but limited, and the deadline to apply is Sept. 1.

In addition to locals, big-name festival presenters for this year include Neil Gaiman and Michael Chabon.

For more information, visit www.artslasvegas.org/vvbf or call 229-5431.

BLACK MOUNTAIN INSTITUTE NAMES 2008-09 FELLOWS

The 2008-09 Black Mountain Institute Fellows have been selected.

Albanian poet Luljeta Lleshanaku has been named the International Women's Forum Fellow.

While most of her work is in her native tongue, many of her poems can be read in "Fresco: Selected Poetry of Luljeta Lleshanaku," translated into English by Henri Israeli and others.

Mary Palevsky was selected as the BMI-Kluge Fellow. A portion of her time as a fellow will be spent at the John W. Kluge Center of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

The final fellow is Robert Rosenberg, who has been named the Sonja and Michael Saltman Fellow.

The institute's nine-month fellowships give published writers a stipend, an office, access to UNLV's libraries and time to work on research.

In exchange, the fellows participate in BMI events, give public presentations on their projects and work with UNLV graduate classes.

For more information, visit blackmountain.unlv.edu.

CELEBRATE BIRTHDAYS AMONG CHILDREN'S BOOKS

The Neverending Story children's bookshop now offers birthday parties.

Parents can select the do-it-yourself option, with room rental only, or they can go all out with a hosted theme party, which can include decorations, storytime, dancing and crafts.

Prices begin at $50 for the do-it-yourself option and $150 for a hosted party.

For details, call 869-8943.

JOIN LIBRARY'S CLUB READ

Kids can win a mood pencil, a children's museum pass or a gold medal through the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District's summer reading program. Activities at all branches continue through July 31. Participants log in books read and compete for chances to win four round-trip tickets from Southwest Airlines.

Teens have a separate book club and can complete a number of activities from designing a manga bookmark to posting on the library message board.

For more information, visit lvccld.org.

Amazing Reads Book club meets at West Charleston

The Amazing Reads Book Club meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of each month at West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd. 507-3940.

BOOKSTORE OFFERS WRITERS GROUP ON WEDNESDAYS

Borders bookstore, has a writers group at 7 p.m. Wednesdays, 2190 N. Rainbow Blvd.

CHAT ABOUT BOOKS AT SUMMERLIN LIBRARY

Join Book Chat Café members at the Summerlin Library, 1771 Inner Circle Drive, 10:30 a.m. on the third Saturday of each month. Call 507-3860 for details.

POETRY IS SERVED UP ONCE A WEEK AT REJAVANATE

The ReJAVAnate coffee house hosts live poetry performances from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays.

Some of the selections are intense and not intended for all ages. The shop is located at 3300 E. Flamingo Road, No. 23.

Call 253-7721 for more information.

LEARN MORE ABOUT AREA AUTHORS

Authors are invited to share information with readers and other writers at the 18Q Web site, www.eighteenquestions. com.

ELISABETH HYDE BOOK IS UP FOR DISCUSSION

The Aliante Book Club's next book up for discussion is Elisabeth Hyde's "The Abortionist's Daughter." Come chat about the book at 7 p.m. July 28 at the Aliante Library, 2400 Deer Springs Way.

PICK UP A BOOK IN BOULDER CITY

The Boulder City Library, 701 Adams Blvd., maintains a collection of paperback books for swapping.

Books may be taken from the designated racks without a library card. Patrons are limited to 10 books at a time and are asked to return them when finished. Book donations, especially newish best-sellers, are welcome.

For more information, call 293-1281.

SUMMER READING CLUB KEEPS KIDS FROM GOING BUGGY

Summer boredom getting kids down? Then buzz on over to the Boulder City Library, 701 Adams Blvd., to take part in the summer reading program.

Now through July 19, kids can follow clues at the library to locate body parts to build a reading bug.

Children who read and report on 12 picture books or five chapter books can earn prizes.

Each Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. patrons can drop by the activity room to make a craft.

For more information, call 293-1281.

BOOK LOVERS BISTRO MEETS AT WHITNEY LIBRARY

The Whitney Library, 5175 E. Tropicana Ave., welcomes readers to the Book Lovers Bistro the second Tuesday of the month. 507-4010.

HENDERSON LIBRARIES HOSTS A VARIETY OF CLUBS

Do you love mysteries, non-fiction, classics? Then the Henderson Public Libraries have book clubs for you.

To find out what the clubs are reading now, visit www.mypubliclibrary.com. Click on "Events and Classes" and select "Book Clubs @ Your Library."

NORTH LAS VEGAS SUMMER READING CLUB IS UNDER WAY

Catch the Reading Bug with the North Las Vegas Library District's annual Summer Reading Club. Although this year's theme emphasizes books on bugs, participating students may choose books from any genre.

The Summer Reading Club is open to readers of all skill levels, from read-to-me to independent readers and teens.

For more information, call 633-1070. The North Las Vegas Library District is comprised of two branches, the Main Branch at 2300 Civic Center Drive, and the Aliante Branch, at 2400 Deer Springs Way.