Monday, December 17: Nick's Picks Book Club: Patrick Melrose Discussion

University Book Store's long-running literary fiction book club discusses the incredible cycle of novels by Edward St. Aubyns about Patrick Melrose, a wealthy and miserable young man. These books are so incredibly toxic but also so incredibly beautiful; it's rare to find a protagonist so antagonizing who is still somehow relatable. These books are best shared with others.

University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., 634-3400, http://www2.bookstore.washington.edu/, 6 pm, free.

Tuesday, December 18: Lit Fix

Wednesday, December 19: Intro to Podcasting Workshop

Ayla Taylor, a local sci-fi podcaster, leads a workshop to discuss the importance of podcasts, and how to get started making your own storytelling podcast. These aren't the kind of podcasts where boring white guys talk about nothing for an hour and a half; they're full-fledged fiction, with acting and narration and the works. In other words, they're books on the air.

Ada’s Technical Books, 425 15th Ave, 322-1058, http://seattletechnicalbooks.com, 6 pm, $5.

Thursday, December 20: Notis: Translating Comics and Graphic Novels

Local organization Northwest Literary Translators hosts a panel about the art and science of translating graphic novels into English. This is a discussion between local translators including Melissa Bowers, Lola Rogers, and José Alaniz, and Fantagraphics publisher Gary Groth, who has published uncountable pages of translated comics, will be joining to discuss his experience.

Folio: The Seattle Atheneum, Pike Place Market, 93 Pike St #307, http://www.folioseattle.org, 5:30 pm, $10.

Friday, December 21: Shrink Night!

"$10 secures your spot, one full sheet of Shrink Film and more coloring supplies than you'll know what to do with" at this party to make your own Shrinky Dinks with Push/Pull's lively community of artists. Push/Pull, 5484 Shilshole Ave NW, 789-1710, http://pushpullseattle.weebly.com/, 6 pm, $10.

Saturday, December 22: Christmas Readalong

Special guest readers will read aloud from some classic Christmas books, including How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Polar Express, and The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming. This is essentially the final event in Elliott Bay's packed annual readings calendar, and it has become a Yule tradition for many. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave, 624-6600, http://elliottbaybook.com, 11 am, free.