Monday 1/6: Quiet Lightning kicks off off its fifth year with a dinner ($3-5) and Junkdrawer spinning records from 6-7:30, when the readings will start. $7-10 (nobody turned away for lack of funds), Public Works (161 Erie St).

Tuesday 1/7: Peninsula Arts & Letters Presents Amy Tan, author of the recent The Valley of Amazement, in conversation with Jan Yanehiro. $25, 7 p.m. at Kepler’s Books in Menlo Park.

Wednesday 1/8: The RADAR Reading Series hosted by Michelle Tea will feature readings by Caitlin Donohue, Dax Tran-Cafee, Shanthi Sekaran and Mica Sigourney. Free, 6 p.m. at the San Francisco Public Library (Main Branch).

Thursday 1/9: Voz Sin Tinta Reading Series presents readings from Angel Barragan and Terry Lucas, followed by open mic spots. Free, 6:30 p.m. at Alley Cat Books.

Friday 1/10: Chang-rae Lee comes to The Booksmith on Haight St. to read and discuss his latest book, On Such a Full Sea. Free, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday 1/11: Writers with Drinks comes to The Make Out Room with readers/performers, Neelanjana Banerjee, Richard Kadrey, Scott Poole, Cheeming Boey and Melissa Pritchard. $5-10, 7:30 p.m. (doors at 6:30).

Sunday 1/12: [email protected] offers an informal gathering for collaborating with fellow poets about works in progress. Free (RSVP recommended), 1 p.m. at Edwin Markham House in History Park in San Jose.