Need a mid-day break? Every first and third Monday, you can laugh, gasp and shudder to live readings of captivating short stories from a wide range of popular and literary authors. This week's featured stories are: "The Queen of Spades" by Alexander Pushkin and "The Bet" by Anton Chekhov.

J.A. Jance talks about "Left for Dead," her 44th published mystery.

Join co-authors Eric Liu and Nick Hanauer for a lively civic discussion of "The Gardens of Democracy: A New American Story of Citizenship, the Economy, and the Role of Government."

Dermot Fitzgibbon, m.b.b.ch., will teach you what modalities are used to manage pain for surgery and cancer, as well as to improve your quality of life.

Stewart O'Nan reads from his new novel, "The Odds: A Love Story," a bittersweet look at a married couple struggling in uncertain times and trying to give their love a second chance.

Xi Chuan reads selections from a new chapbook, "Yours Truly & Other Poems," "Notes on the Mosquito: Selected Poems" (forthcoming in 2012) and other works.

American historian and MacArthur fellow Richard White discusses "Railroaded: The Transcontinentals and the Making of Modern America" with KUOW Public Radio "Weekday" host Steve Scher.

David Tirschwell, M.D., will talk about prevention, symptoms, diagnosis and outcomes after a stroke.

Clay Jenkinson presents his portrayal of Meriwether Lewis, who with his friend William Clark, led the most successful exploration of American history -- one that made Lewis and Clark and Sacagawea principle figures in American mythology.

In his first book for adults, celebrated children's book author and illustrator Sis presents an illustrated adaptation of a 12th century Sufi epic poem, "The Conference of the Birds."