I hope everyone is enjoying their new year so far! Sure, it's been a tad chilly, some of us have lost power and the bankruptcies just keep rolling in, but I say, let's give 2009 a chance. After all, it is the Year of Poe, and nothing bad ever happened around that guy, right?

Tomorrow afternoon, the Enoch Pratt library hosts "200 Birthdays: A Toast to Edgar Allan Poe." They're doing it up right, with a Poe impersonator and three films based on his books, including The Fall of the House of Usher. I can only hope it's the version with Vincent Price.

Head to Towson Monday evening for Ukazoo's creative writing group. You can follow the prompt or bring your own work, and then take advantage of friendly critiques and writing tips. Advance registration is requested, so call 410.832.BOOK.

And if you want to get away from it all, escape into a graphic novel or two at the Lutherville Borders' graphic novel discussion group.

Do you have a bookish event you'd like included in the Read Street calendar? Let us know. And have a great weekend, everybody!