Trickster tales a real treat of delightful fun

Gerald Vizenor will discuss his latest books — “White Earth Nation: Ratification of a Native Democratic Constitution” and “Chair of Tears” — at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, at Bookworks, 4022 Rio Grande NW.

“Chair of Tears,” according to its publisher, the University of Nebraska Press, is “a marvelous conjunction of trickster stories and marvelous ingenuity.” One thread of the novel has the character of Captain Shammer, reared on a houseboat and with no formal education, appointed chair of a troubled Indian Studies Department at a prominent university. Students celebrate his conversion of the department to an academic poker parlor/casino.

Publishers Weekly said each chapter “has its own logic, allowing readers to … open at random and delve into whatever delightful episode they find before them.”

Vizenor, a White Earth Chippewa, is an award-winning author of fiction, Native American histories, poetry and literature and is a distinguished professor of American studies at the University of New Mexico.

Also at Bookworks this week, John Nichols discusses his new novel, “On Top of Spoon Mountain,” at 3 p.m. today. Years ago, Spoon Mountain, almost the tallest alpine peak in New Mexico, was special to the Kepler family. They once shared days in its wilderness. Now, can dad, who is approaching 65, and his grown son and daughter relive those joyful memories, or will the mountain crush them? … Joe Badal of Sandia Park talks about his new suspense novel, “Shelf Game,” at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3. Through the protagonist, the book also explains one of the main reasons why the American economy continues to languish.

AT THE JCC: Anouk Markovits discusses her novel “I Am Forbidden” at a bagel breakfast at 10:30 a.m. today at the Jewish Community Center, 5520 Wyoming NE. The New York Times said in a review, “the wonder of this elegant, enthralling novel is the beauty Ms. Markovits unearths in the Hasidic community she takes us into. She remains largely nonjudgmental about the most difficult-to-grasp practices of the Satmar sect, while showing how even the most fervent believers struggle with the letter-of-the-law faith.” $15. Her talk is part of the JCC’s BookFest and Author Series.

IN PLACITAS: The Duende Poetry Series presents E.A. “Tony” Mares and Larry Goodell, who will read from their work at 3 p.m. today at Anasazi Fields Winery. Jim Fish and Gary L. Brower will also read. Free, but donations for the poets are encouraged.

AT PAGE ONE: Chad Stone discusses his new book, “Confessions of a Middle-Aged Babe Magnet,” at 2:30 p.m. today. Stone’s humorous memoir also serves as a self-help dating guide for men. The bookstore is at 11018 Montgomery NE.

AUTHOR AT TWO EVENTS: Andrea Feucht signs her new book, “The Food Lovers’ Guide to Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Taos,” at two venues this week. From 2-4 p.m. today, Feucht will be at Treasure House Books & Gifts, 2012 South Plaza NW and at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, she will be at Title Wave Books, 2318 Wisconsin NE.

SOUTHWEST WRITERS EVENT: Slim Randles, an Albuquerque author, journalist and syndicated humor columnist, gives a talk on “Peeling Back the Layers: The Art of Interviewing” at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, at New Life Presbyterian Church, 5540 Eubank NE. $5 general public.

IN SANTA FE: Miriam Sagan of Santa Fe reads from her new poetry collection, “Seven Places in America: A Poetic Sojourn,” at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30, at Collected Works, 202 Galisteo. The poems are based on journeys Sagan made in search of remoteness, solitude and inspiration. While writing them, she was an artist-in-residence at two national parks.