"Monotone Media and Voices on the Margins"; 2nd-Annual Collins Library Reading; James Nachtwey: War Photographer; Rabe's Goose and Tomtom; Ryan Adams at Housing Works; Mr. Airplane Man at Mighty Robot; Liquid Tapedeck at Arlene; Vacationland at Continent

One finds it very hard, very hard indeed, when one is so set on hating a seemingly certain thing, only to discover that that same thing must be equally set on being continually surprising and impressing! So enters the "Second Annual Collins Library Reading," culled from a line of rare and out-of-print books patronized by a Timothy McSweeney, Esq. (more commonly known, no doubt, for his "quarterly concern"). We wish to advise the reader of appearances, on Weds., Jan. 15, by Joel Rose, David Carlyon, Paul Lafarge (Dickens allusion duly noted, as well as appreciated) and the man himself, Mr. Paul Collins, to publicize this product at Housing Works Used Book Cafe, 126 Crosby St. (betw. Houston & Prince Sts.), 334-3324; 7, free.

Among photojournalists, the ability to stay poised in dangerous situations is what separates the hacks from the artists. When the rhino charges or the bullets fly, the ballsy photographer who takes the risks gets the better shot. No one is braver or does it better than James Nachtwey?the subject of War Photographer, an Academy Award-nominated documentary that follows him as he wades, camera-laden, into the thick of the action. A group of journalists, including Christiane Amanpour?who's got some steely nerves herself?appears in this riveting film, which also features some specially rigged-camera footage that gives the audience the photographer's POV. See how far talented professionals will go just so you can sit safely in a chair, watching the world go by. Thurs., Jan. 16, at Anthology Film Archives, 32 2nd Ave. (2nd St.), 505-5181; 7:30 & 9:30, $8/$5 members.

Sort of like dumping hard-boiled David Mamet characters into the absurdity of Waiting for Godot, Vessel Theatre Company's black-box theater revival of David Rabe's absurdist 80s play Goose and Tomtom uses the basic elements of a crime drama for a surreal exploration of dysfunctional relationships, petty power struggles and self-deception. Frequently harsh, very funny and sometimes inscrutably weird, it's a small-time crook's fairy tale seen through the eyes of modern drama; check out the final week's run Thurs., Jan. 16, through Jan. 19, at Sande Shurin Acting Studio & Theatre, 311 W. 43rd St. (betw. 8th & 9th Aves.), 718-486-5288; 8 p.m., mat. Sun. at 3 p.m., $15/$12 st.

We hear Ryan Adams gets real pissed when you confuse him with a certain sound-alike Canadian musician. Remember not to request "Summer of '69" during Housing Works Used Book Cafe's inaugural monthly series, "Live from Home," this Fri., Jan. 17. The first showcase features acoustic sets by Adams, singer/songwriter Kathleen Edwards and poppy folk group Shivaree. Plus the entire admission fee benefits Housing Works' programs, which help homeless people living with HIV and AIDS?that's a whole lot less than you'd pay for a scalped ticket to see Adams open for the Stones at the Garden this week. Here's hoping he'll perform a couple Whiskeytown tunes. 126 Crosby St. (betw. Houston & Prince Sts.), 334-3324; 7:30, $20.

Mr. Airplane Man's second effort, appropriately titled Moanin', was one of our favorite releases of 2002. Their show last October at Luxx with Memphis' Porch Ghouls drew such notables as Jon Spencer and Cristina Martinez. The Boston-based female duo returns to New York Sat., Jan. 18, with their punk-blues sound to help celebrate the release of the newest album by Dan Melchior's Broke Revue, Bitterness, Spite, Rage, & Scorn (In the Red Records). It sounds much like their previous effort?stripped-down garage rock in the vein of Holly Golighty or Billy Childish. Locals Blood on the Wall open the show, at Mighty Robot, 401 Wythe Ave. (betw. S. 6th St. & B'way), Williamsburg, 718-387-3399; 9.

The Liquid Tapedeck have been brightening our inboxes for a year with the most over-the-top, anti-everything, long e-mail notices for shows we've ever seen. We've come to the conclusion that, even if you don't like their music, you should see them to sign up for their e-mail list. The Liquid Tapedeck is two guys (one of whom, Peter Etc., messed up the '96 Grammys by cavorting on the stage with "Soy Bomb" painted on his chest) who use music as a short, very specific weapon against the things they hate: "UnPresident" Bush, cops and every other musical act in existence. They offer a money-back guarantee for all shows, not that that matters this Mon., Jan. 20, 8 p.m., when they play free at Arlene Grocery. Keyboards, humor, anger. 95 Stanton St. (betw. Orchard & Ludlow Sts.), 358-1633.

Not much comes from Maine besides snow, but that'll be changing soon, since the Great White Tundra has recently been rocked by the sounds of the four-man combo known as Vacationland. The band takes its name from the Pine Tree State's official nickname, though vacationers are probably wise to avoid the region during this particular season when the deluge of the glorious white stuff has been almost endless. Especially since a shovelful of ice-peaked tidings is headed to New York in the form of the four boys who can pretty much lay claim to being the Beatles of the region. What with recent Bebe Buell spouse?and New York native?Jim Wallerstein playing Paul McCartney with his buoyant power-pop stylings to the more rancorous and brooding Lennon figure, Shawn Saindon, the Vacationboys are the most-best export to head south from the region since that last shipment of lobsters made it to Les Halles. Catch them at the Continental with Flatblack, the Crave, Live Animals and Great Jones on Tues., Jan. 21, at 8 p.m. Don't forget your snowshoes. 25 3rd Ave. (St. Marks Pl.), 529-6924.