Get a sampling of N.M. history

Two statements by Richard Melzer, a history professor at the University of New Mexico’s Valencia campus, tell you much about the man: “My hobby is history. My hobby is my career.”

The newly released Melzer-edited book — “Sunshine and Shadows in New Mexico’s Past: The Statehood Period, 1912-Present” — will be the topic of his talk at 3 today at Bookworks, 4022 Rio Grande NW.

It’s the third in a series on New Mexico. “I use these books in my classes,” said Melzer, who also contributed essays. “But they appeal to general readers as well. That’s what we wanted to do.”

Among those who contributed essays to the book are state historian Rick Hendricks and former state historians Stanley Hordes and Robert J. Tórrez. “We asked the living state historians to write articles about their vision of New Mexico statehood at the beginning of the book. I think that’s … a good place for readers to get started,” Melzer said.

Brent Jeffrey Thomas created the paintings on which the images for the covers of the three volumes are based. Volume three is an official New Mexico Centennial Project. All three volumes have been published by Rio Grande Press in collaboration with the Historical Society of New Mexico.

Also at Bookworks, Michael McGarrity talks about his big new western novel, “Hard Country,” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20.

AT PAGE ONE: The bookstore at 11018 Montgomery NE hosts two author events this week. … RJ Mirabal discusses his debut novel, “The Tower of Il Serrohe,” at 2:30 today. The novel asks readers to follow a fantasy quest in an alternate Rio Grande Valley where locals expect an antihero to save them from a mysterious tower. … Award-winning sci-fi-fantasy author Connie Willis talks about her oeuvre at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21.

SOUTHWEST WRITERS EVENT: Kathy Barco and Valerie Nye discuss their experiences as co-authors and issues related to joint writing projects at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20 at New LIfe Presbyterian Church, 5540 Eubank NE. $5.

IN OLD TOWN: Treasure House Books & Gifts, at 2012 South Plaza NW, hosts editor Lois Palken Rudnick, who signs “The Suppressed Memoirs of Mabel Lodge Luhan: Sex, Syphilis, and Psychoanalysis in the Making of Modern American Culture” from 1-3 today. The newly revealed portion of the memoirs show a modern woman struggling with identity, sexuality and manic depression. Luhan was an arts patron and writer who lived in Taos for many years.

BOOK SIGNING: Albuquerque ecologist Gene Lessard autographs copies of his book “Grandfather’s Tale: The Story of Human Evolution and Dispersal” from 10-2 today at Napoli Coffee, 2839 Carlisle NE. IN SANTA FE: Kathy Kriger talks about her new book, “Rick’s Café: Bringing the Film Legend to Life in Casablanca,” at 3 today at Collected Works, 202 Galisteo. For decades tourists came to Casablanca, Morocco, in search of Rick’s Café Americain, only to realize it never existed. Kriger opened her restaurant in the city made famous by the 1942 film that starred Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. Before opening her cafe in 2004, Kriger had her share of detours: “… vindictive paper pushers, absent architects, dedicated craftsmen, mad chefs and surprising allies.”