Literati Roundup: Dissidents, Atwood, and the BPL

We know it's fashion week, but Gothamist prides itself on offering all kinds of other, more bookish delights for those not inclined to prowl the tents at Bryant Park. Kicking off this week, Symphony Space (95th and Broadway) is hosting Banned: Stories by Censored Writers and Dissidents, with work by authors from Iran and Indonesia. The show starts at 6:30PM on 2/8 and costs $25, less for members.

At KGB Bar (85 E. 4th St.) on Thursday, 2/9, Behind the Book is hosting two authors reading from their books - Sam Lipsyte and Christine Schutt. Behind the Book is a nonprofit dedicated to getting teens interested not only in reading literature, but also writing it. Hey, you never know where lurks the next Christopher Paolini, right? The reading starts at 7PM and as always, is free.

Speaking of great spaces, Paragraph is hosting a reading on Thursday night as well, at Teachers and Writers (5 Union Sq. West). Marian Fontana reads from her memoir about life after she lost her husband on 9/11 and Elissa Schappell reads from her award-winning novel.

On Saturday, 2/11, at the Brooklyn Public Library (Central Branch at Grand Army Plaza, between Flatbush Avenue and Eastern Parkway), John Haskell will be reading from American Purgatorio, his latest novel. The reading is hosted by WNYC'S Leonard Lopate and is part of the BPL's Brooklyn Writers for Brooklyn Readers Series. It starts at 2PM and like the best things in life, it's free.

Lastly, Margaret Atwood and Valerie Martin are reading at the 92nd St. Y (92nd St. and Lexington) on Monday, 2/13. It costs $17 and starts at 8PM.