WORDS & IDEAS
Don Ackerman, The Open-door Bookstore & Gift Gallery, 128 Jay St., Schenectady. 1 p.m. Saturday. Free. 518-346-2719 or opendoor-bookstore.com. The local author and Democratic politician signs his book, “Who Runs This Town? A Political History of
Schenectady and Its Governments." Therese Broderick, Albany Public Library – Delaware Branch, 331 Delaware Ave., Albany. Noon Wednesday. Free. 518-427-4300 or albanypubliclibrary.org. The poet discusses and reads from her new book, “Crosswinds.”
Catherine Bruns, Marie Williams, and Kevin Wilson , Northshire Bookstore, 424 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. 6 p.m. Friday. Free. 518-6824200 or northshire.com. A group signing for three local authors: mystery novelist Bruns (“The Devil You Gnocchi”), history writer Williams (“The Revolutionary War in the Adirondacks”) and fiction writer Wilson (“Sully’s Squad”).
Melissa Febos, New York State Writers Institute, Campus Center West Auditorium, University at Albany, 1400 Washington Ave., Albany. 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Free. 518-442-5620 or nyswritersinstitute.org. A conversation and Q&A session with the feminist scholar and author of “Girlhood,” a new collection of essays.
Temple Grandin, New York State Writers Institute, Page Hall, Downtown campus, University at Albany, 135 Western Ave., Albany. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Free. 518-442-5620 or nyswritersinstitute.org. A talk from the worldrenowned animal behaviorist, college professor, inventor, animal rights activist and “the rock star” of the autistic world. She was one of the first autistic individuals to write books about her life and experiences, including the bestsellers “Thinking in Pictures,” “Animals in Translation,” “Animals Make Us Human” and “The Autistic Brain.” Trent Romer, The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, 1475 Western Ave., Albany. 2 p.m. Sunday. Free. 518-4894761 or bhny.com. The author signs and discusses his book, “Finding Sustainability: The Personal and Professional Journey of a Plastic Bag Manufacturer.”
Saratoga Comic Con, Saratoga Springs City Center, 522 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Free-$40. saratogacomiccon.com. The largest comic con in the Capital Region includes: cosplay, guest stars (including Jeff Anderson, Brian O’halloran and Scott Schiaffo from the movie “Clerks”), gaming, comic books, artists, collectables, vendors and more.
Todd Snyder, The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, 1475 Western Ave., Albany. 3 p.m. Saturday. Free. 518489-4761 or bhny.com. The author discusses and signs “Beatboxing: How Hip-hop Changed the Fight Game.” Ann Van Hine, Schenectady County Public Library – Central Branch, 99 Clinton St., Schenectady. 2 p.m. Sunday. Free. 518-388-4500 or scpl.org. The author signs and talks about her book, “Pieces Falling: Navigating 9/11 with Faith, Family, and the FDNY.” Registration required.