tuesday/20

Gerard Sarnat poetry reading. The renowned poet reads from his third poetry collection, “17s,” which consists entirely of poems of 17 syllables. At Koret Pavilion, Kehillah Hall, Stanford University, 565 Mayfield Ave., Stanford. 7:30 p.m. Free. www.gerardsarnat.com/readings.html

thursday/22

“Joshua Safran: Free Spirit.” The author and attorney reads passages from his memoir about his unconventional childhood. At Green Apple Books, 1231 Ninth Ave., S.F. 7 p.m. Free. www.greenapplebooks.com. Also Jan. 27 at Oakland Public Library, Montclair Branch, 1687 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. 6:30 p.m. Free. www.oaklandlibrary.org

“The Mathematician’s Shiva.” Stuart Rojstaczer reads from his debut novel about the difficulties faced by the family of a renowned Jewish mathematician at her funeral. At Congregation Kol Emeth, 4175 Manuela Ave., Palo Alto. 7 p.m. Free. www.kolemeth.org

thursday/29

“Swimming in the Rain.” Berkeley launch of Chana Bloch’s latest poetry volume. At Morrison Library, 101 Doe Library, U.C. Berkeley. 5 p.m. Free. [email protected]