The following author appearances, readings and book events are planned for the coming week in the Valley:
BROADSIDE BOOKSHOP: Sportswriter Howard Bryant presents his new book, “The Heritage: Black Athletes: A Divided America, and the Politics of Patriotism,” Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the bookstore, 247 Main St., Northampton. 586-4235
FORBES LIBRARY: Poets Lesléa Newman, Joy Ladin and Gail Thomas discuss ”Memory & Desire: Poetry of Midlife” Wednesday at 7 p.m.; part of the series “The Modern Real and Surreal: Writers and Artists on Our Age,” at the library, 20 West St., Northampton. 587-1011
ODYSSEY BOOKSHOP: Contributors to “Compass Roads: Poems about the Pioneer Valley” will read from their work Wednesday at 7 p.m. in an event sponsored by the Straw Dog Writers Guild and Levellers Press; at the bookstore, in the Village Commons, 9 College St., South Hadley. 534-7307
SMITH COLLEGE: Sarah Sousa and Joan Cenedella read from recent work Sunday at 4 p.m. at Neilsen Library in the Browsing Room, at the college in Northampton. 584- 7080
WORTHINGTON LIBRARY: Joan Livingston reads from her new novel, “Chasing the Case,” a mystery set in the hilltowns, Saturday at 4 p.m. at the library, 1 Huntington Road, Worthington. 238-5565
THE YIDDISH BOOK CENTER: Author Ilan Stavans presents ”People of the Picture Book: The Many Diasporas,” part of a lecture series on Jewish children’s literature, Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the center, 1021 West St., Amherst. 256-4900
WORLD WAR II CLUB: Northampton Poetry holds an open mic Tuesday, 8 p.m. at the club, 50 Conz St., Northampton. $4 admission, $3 students. northamptonpoetry.com