MONDAY

Counterprogramming this week’s State of the Union Address will be activist Cindy Sheehan, who will ostensibly be discussing her book Not One More Mother’s Child tonight at All Souls’ Church tonight at 7pm. For anyone who’s either been hiding under a rock this past year or who hasn’t yet experienced the pleasure of being clouted in the forehead with a ball peen hammer by a member of the Free Republic, this reading is a great opportunity. 1500 Harvard Street, NW. Sheehan also appears this week at Busboys and Poets at 7pm this Wednesday, if you’d like to go but need the support of caffeine.

TUESDAY

Just as every crappy unsigned band in the world has at least one devoted fan, Nicholas Basbanes would have you know that Every Book Has Its Reader. Though it should be mentioned that even a book’s most obsessed reader typically doesn’t stand drunkenly shrieking in front of the book, gyrating like a heavily tranquilized lapdancer. At the Library of Congress, 101 Independence Avenue, SE, 6pm.

WEDNESDAY

Tonight is the first of the four DC Noir Events that we profiled, like, five minutes ago.

THURSDAY

Olsson’s sponsors the Parkmont Poetry Reading, a special presentation from DC’s young poets, grades 6-12. These students hail from Washington’s public and private schools and most were participants or finalists last May’s Parkmont School poetry festival. At Olsson’s Penn Quarter, 418 7th Street, NW, at 6:30pm.

FRIDAY

The warm and gregarious Bernard-Henri Levy, who recently charmed the audience of The Daily Show, comes to Washington in support of his well-received travelogue American Vertigo, which chronicles the Frenchman’s nationwide wanderings as he sought out America’s unique character. At Politics and Prose, 5015 Connecticut Avenue NW, at 7pm.

SATURDAY

As if you needed a reason to spend a weekend afternoon in the suburban zone of ultra-excitement that is Reston, Virginia, this Saturday, you can add value to your trip by going to the Center Stage to see acclaimed playwright Suzan-Lori Parks (Topdog/Underdog), read from her new novel Getting Mother’s Body. Afterwards, you can enjoy Reston’s extensive series of bicycle trails or simply revel in its residents carefully coordinated screen doors. 2310 Colts Neck Road, 3pm.