THE BIG READ

For more events, visit www.hawaiicapitalculture.org and click on the "Big Read" logo.

"The Joy Luck Club," film screening followed by panel discussion, part of the Louis Vuitton Hawai'i International Film Festival; 2:30 p.m.; Oct. 21; Regal Theatres, Dole Cannery; free; 528-3456.

Making Chinese treats, with "The Pickle Lady" Lenora Ching; 7 p.m.; Oct. 24; Liliha Library; free; 587-7577.

Book discussion, led by Anna Marie Christiansen; 9:30 a.m.; Oct. 25; Waialua Public Library; free; 637-8286.

Using Literature and Biography to Teach History and Reading, workshop for social studies and language-arts teachers; 9-11:30 a.m.; Oct. 27; Chaminade University, Henry Hall 225; free; 735-4824.

Adult Story Program: "The Joy Luck Club," portions of the novel are read aloud by guest readers; 12-1 p.m.; Wednesdays through Nov. 21; state Library; free; 586-3499.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Kwaidan Kalabash: Ghost Stories in Hawai'i and Beyond, storytellers share obake and other supernatural tales, with performance by modern Japanese dance group Tangentz; 6-9 p.m.; Oct. 21; Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i, fifth floor; free; 945-7633, info@jcch.com.

"Crossing Over: Partition Literature from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh," lecture and discussion by the book's guest editor, Delhi University professor Sukrita Paul Kumar; 3-4:30 p.m.; Oct. 22; UH-Manoa, Kuykendall 410; free; 956-3059.

Genetic Engineering, Industrial Agriculture and Concerns About Food Security, discussion of themes in the book "Ishmael," part of Windward Community College's Common Book program; 4 p.m.; Oct. 23; WCC, Hale Akoakoa 105; free; 236-9224.

Chicken-Skin Stories with Aunty Pam Akina and Friends, storytelling, suitable for all ages; 6:30-7:30 p.m.; Oct. 23; Kahuku Public and School Library; free; 293-8935.

Talk story with Judi Riley, author and illustrator of "When I Am Quiet on O'ahu" and "When I Am Quiet on Maui"; 11 a.m.; Oct. 27; Bestsellers, Pearl Harbor Navy Exchange; free; www.tikitales.com.

Youth Speaks Hawai'i, slam poetry workshops, hosted by Kealoha, TravisT, Melvin, Darron and Lyz; 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays; The ARTS at Marks Garage; free; 387-9664.

Talk Story Radio, weekly radio show, hosted by Jeff Gere; 5:30 p.m. Mondays; broadcast on Hawaii Public Radio station KIPO 89.3 FM, 7 p.m. Thursdays; on KTUH 90.3 FM; www.talkstoryradio.com.

BOOK SIGNINGS

Marion Coste will sign her children's book "The Hawaiian Bat: 'Ope'ape'a," 2-3 p.m. Oct. 24 at Pearl Harbor Navy Exchange, 423-3330; 12-1 p.m. Oct. 27 at Borders, Windward Mall, 235-8789; 2-3 p.m. Oct. 27 at Borders, Waikele, 676-6679.

Peggy Chun and Shelly Mecum will sign their book, "The Watercolor Cat," 1-2 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Chip & Cookie store, Kailua; store owner Wally Amos will declare the day "Peggy Chun Day"; 261-1181.

FOR WRITERS

Writing retreat, meet and write in company with beginning and experienced writers, for ages 16 and older; 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; Oct. 27; Windward Community College, Hale Na'auao 146; $5; 235-7433.

The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts is accepting nominations for the Hawai'i Award for Literature; deadline Nov. 23; information: 586-9965, www.hawaii.gov/sfca.

Hawai'i Pacific University seeks entries from Hawai'i residents of one year or longer for the James M. Vaughan Award for Poetry: Submit three poems, each 100 lines or less, with contact information and the names of the three poems on a cover letter but no name on all other pages, plus a five-line biography to James M. Vaughan Award for Poetry, 1060 Bishop St., LB 7A, Honolulu, HI 96813. Entries must be postmarked by Dec. 1. 544-1108.

FOR KEIKI

Hawaii Center for the Book, Letters About Literature essay contest for grades 4-12; deadline for entries Dec. 14; 586-3555.

O'ahu Family and Community Education Essay and Artwork Contest for fourth-graders; through Jan. 31; 455-2740.

Keiki storytime, 45-minute storytimes followed by simple craft for ages 3 and older; 10 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays; Kapolei Public Library; free; 693-7050.

Preschool storytime, 30-minute storytimes for ages 3 to 5; 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 11 through Nov. 13; Mililani Public Library; free; 627-7470.

Keiki storytime; 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and 11 a.m. Saturdays; Borders, Waikele; free; 676-6699.

Preschool craft & storytime; 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays; Barnes & Noble, Kahala; free; 737-3323.

Preschool craft & storytime; 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays; Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana; free; 949-7307.

Read Me a Story, books read by volunteer storytellers for 12 and younger and their parents; 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; Honolulu Academy of Arts; free for children, included with admission price of $7 for parents; 532-8700.

Keiki storytime, stories read aloud, finger plays and occasional crafts for ages 2 to 5; 11-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 31 and from Nov. 14 to Dec. 19; free; 266-9911.

Preschool storytime, stories read aloud, finger plays, sing-alongs and a craft for ages 2 1/2 and older, 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays; Pearl City Public Library; free; 453-6566.

Preschool storytime, stories read aloud, sing-alongs and a simple craft for ages 3-5, 10:30-11 a.m. Wednesdays; Wahiawa Public Library; free; 622-6345.

Keiki storytime; 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays; Borders, Ward Centre; free; 591-8995.

Puzzletime storytime, toddler stories and songs with time for educational board puzzles for ages 18 months and older, 9:30 a.m. Thursdays; Pearl City Public Library; free; 453-6566.

Children's storytime, listen to stories and learn a simple craft, for ages 3 and up; 10:30 a.m. Thursdays; Kaimuki Public Library; free; 733-8422.

Children's storytime; 3 p.m.; third Thursday of the month through May 2008; Kalihi-Palama Public Library; free; 832-3466.

Children's storytime, stories read aloud and simple crafts; 10 a.m. Saturdays; Waialua Public Library; free; 637-8286.

Send announcements, with contact name and phone number, to: Lit Beat, Island Life, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; fax 525-8055; islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com, with "Lit Beat" in the subject line.