Because of the holiday, this calendar includes the weeks of Nov. 19 and Nov. 26.

Nov. 19

READINGS BY WRITERS: Hosted by Tim Nolan, with nonfiction writers Chris Middlebrook and Lynette Reini-Grandell and poets Patricia Barone and Joyce Sutphen. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21, University Club, 420 Summit Ave., St. Paul.

MINNESOTA MYSTERY NIGHT: With Christine Husom, in conversation with former prosecutor and public defender Colin Nelson. Husom has written 13 novels drawing on her experience with the Wright County Sheriff’s Department. Nine of her books are in the Winnebago County Mystery series featuring Sgt. Corrine “Corky” Aleckson and Det. Elton “Smoke ” Dawes. She’s also written four sort-of-but-not exactly cozy novels in the Snowglobe Mysteries series and is a frequent contributor to mystery anthologies. Nelson, who’s written seven novels and a book of short stories, draws on his life experiences to write thrillers set in numerous exotic locales. His most recent series features Pete Chandler, an investigator for the U.S. Export/Import bank. His investigations have taken him to South America, Myanmar and, most recently, South Africa, inspiring his thriller “Ivory Lust.” He spent 40 years in the criminal justice system. 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20,  Axel’s Restaurant, 1318 Sibley Memorial Highway, Mendota. Free, but registration is required: 651-686-4840. Attendees can also make reservations for pre-program dining beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Nov. 26

(University of Minnesota Press)

NATE PATRIN: Veteran Minneapolis music critic whose writing has appeared in local and national publications discusses his new book, “The Needle and the Lens,” in which he traces the line between film and song through the past 50 years, revealing the power of music used in movies to move the needle in popular culture. (What do you think of when you hear “The Sound of Silence”?) In conversation with fellow music critic Michaelangelo Matos, author of “Can’t Slow Down: How 1984 Became  Pop’s Blockbuster Year.” 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, Moon Palace Books, 3032 Minnehaha Ave., Mpls. Masks are required in the store.

PATTY WETTERLNG: Mother of Jacob Wetterling, who was kidnapped and murdered in St. Joseph, Minn., in 1989, reveals why she chose hope over despair during the 27 years before her son’s killer confessed and led authorities to his body. She reveals how she and her husband navigated their relationship, their concerns for their other children and how she lobbied for laws at the local and national level that protect children. Among her allies were her co-author, Joy Baker, a blogger who had a special interest in Jacob’s case, and Jared Scheierl, a plumber who had been molested as a boy the same year Jacob was killed. A hard story, but ultimately an uplifting one as Wetterling recalls the enormous love and support her family received from their community and the nation. 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, Barnes & Noble, 3230 Galleria, Edina.

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