Readings

Weds., May 26 This week, the readings begin with an ending. Don't despair-it's a happy one. The Happy Ending Reading Series rolls out again at Happy Endings, fresh off a glowing mention in a New York Times article about how book readings are getting hip and zany (8, free). Tonight Matthew Freedman, Aaron Landsman and Marleen Barr read. If you like your literary events sans antics and Times "Metro" section cred, Colm Toibin might be closer to your speed. He's reading from his biography of dusty 19th-century tome creator Henry James tonight at Rocky Sullivan's (8, free).

Thurs., May 27 We're not quite sure what the Scandinavian connection is, but Lawrence Block, Susan Cheever, Thomas Fleming and Goosebumps author R.L. Stine will read and discuss the art of writing at Scandinavia House tonight (7, free).

David Reisman said they were lonely, but James Surowiecki thinks mobs are smart. Tonight, The New Yorker's contrarian business scribe reads from his new book, The Wisdom of Crowds (7, free).

Tues., June 1 NPR darling and teller of cute stories David Sedaris brings his urbane bag of tricks to Union Square Barnes & Nobles today (7, free). He's reading from his latest, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, which has just been released. Grist for the q&a: His sister, Amy, appears in many of David's stories and had a supporting role in the J. Lo vehicle Maid in Manhattan. Was there a double slash diva clash?

Ned Vizzini wrote his first article for New York Press while still in high school. He's all grown up now and reading from his new novel Be More Chill tonight at Barbès (7, free). He'll be joined by Page Six's Ian Spiegelman, whom we awarded "Best Media Whore Over the Age of 25" in 2003. Will the conflict between young and old and New York Press friends and haters tear Park Slope asunder?

Barbès, 376 9th St. (6th Ave.), Park Slope, 718-965-9177; Barnes & Noble Union Square, 33 E 17th St. (betw. B'way & Park Ave. S.), 212-253-0810; Chelsea Barnes & Noble, 675 6th Ave. (21st St.), 212-727-1227; Happy Ending, 302 Broome St. (betw. Forsythe & Eldridge Sts.), 212-334-9676; Rocky Sullivan's, 129 Lexington Ave. (betw. 28th & 29th Sts.), 212-725-3871; Scandinavia House, 58 Park Ave. (betw. 37th & 38th Sts.), 212-879-9779