The week at Book Passage features actor Andrew McCarthy and writer Susan Orlean

Among Bay Area bookstores, Book Passage in Corte Madera has one of the most active schedules going of author events, readings, classes and other literary happenings. In fact, it’s not uncommon for more than one or two author talks to take place at the store on just about any given day. Additionally, many of these events have a local connection. Looking at the week, here are three events Patch.com readers won’t want to miss.

Barry Kraft reads from the poetry of Philip Larkin
-- Tuesday, August 7 at 7:00 pm

Shakespearean actor Barry Kraft reads from The Complete Poems ($40.00) of Philip Larkin. Regarded as one of the great English poets of the latter half of the 20th century and called "the saddest heart in the post-war supermarket," Larkin (1922–1985) wrote of diminished expectations in work marked by a glum accuracy about emotions, places, and relationships.

Barry Kraft has been a professional actor for 45 years. He has acted in all 38 of Shakespeare's plays, playing more than 100 roles in 85 full productions. In addition to many seasons at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, he has had seasons with San Diego’s Old Globe, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Utah Shakespearean, and our own Marin Shakespeare.  Barry is also a dramaturg, guest lecturer and, of course, a poetry lover.

An Evening with Andrew McCarthy
-- Friday, August 10 at 8:30 pm

Andrew McCarthy is a busy guy. An actor (St. Elmo's Fire, Pretty in Pink, and Less Than Zero), director, and travel writer – he is recognized in the field as a two-time Lowell Thomas Award winner who has, as well, been twice cited for “notable” work in the Best American Travel series. McCarthy is also a contributing editor at National Geographic Traveler. And if that is not enough, last year he helped edit, with Don George, Lights, Camera... Travel!: On-The-Road Tales from Screen Storytellers (Lonely Planet).

Andrew McCarthy will be in conversation with local travel writer Don George. McCarthy and George are on the faculty of the 21st Annual Book Passage Travel Writers & Photographers Conference, which takes place August 9-12 at Book Passage. This event is part of the Conference. Tickets are $10.00 for the public, free for conference participants.

An Evening with Susan Orlean
-- Saturday, August 11 at 8:30 pm

Susan Orlean has been a staff writer at The New Yorker since 1992. She is the author of seven books, including My Kind of Place: Travel Stories from a Woman Who's Been Everywhere, and The Orchid Thief, which was made into the Academy Award–winning film Adaptation. Her most recent book is Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend. She lives with her family and her animals in upstate New York (with occasional stints in Los Angeles and in New York City).

Susan Orlean will be in conversation with local travel writer Don George. Orlean and George are on the faculty of the 21st Annual Book Passage Travel Writers & Photographers Conference, which takes place August 9-12 at Book Passage. This event is part of the Conference. Tickets are $10.00 for the public, free for conference participants.

MORE INFO: Unless otherwise noted, all events take place at Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., in Corte Madera. Call (415) 927-0960 or visit www.bookpassage.com for details.

Thomas Gladysz is a Bay Area arts journalist, author, and longtime bookseller. More at www.thomasgladysz.com