TALE OF A SHIP Paul Clancy reads from and discusses his book “Ironclad: The Epic Battle, Calamitous Loss, and Historic Recovery of the USS Monitor” (International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press). It follows the journey of the small iron ship from its 1862 Brooklyn launch to its role in the Civil War, its sinking off the coast of Cape Hatteras, and its dramatic 2002 recovery after a 50-year effort. Tonight, 7 p.m., South Street Seaport Museum, Melville Gallery, 213 Water St., between Fulton and Beekman streets, 212-748-8735, $5 suggested donation.

IN LOVE WITH ART Art historian Avis Berman reads from the newly published memoir by the first curator of modern art at the Art Institute of Chicago, Katherine Kuh. Ms. Berman edited and compiled the book, “My Love Affair With Modert Art” (Arcade), after Kuh died in 1994. Tonight, 7 p.m., Barnes & Noble Upper West Side, 2289 Broadway at 82nd Street, 212-362-8835, free.

NUMBER THE STARS Vija Celmins and Eliot Weinberger discuss and sign their book “The Stars: A Collaboration” (Library Council of the Museum of Modern Art). Ms. Celmins, a New York-based artist, contributed three prints based on the night sky. Mr. Weinberger, an essayist and translator, assembled a catalog of descriptions of the stars from all around the world. They appear in the book in English, Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, and Maori. Tonight, 7 p.m., 192 Books, 192 Tenth Ave. at 21st Street, 212-255-4022, free, reservations suggested.

HAWAII STORY Kiana Davenport reads from and signs her new novel, “House of Many Gods” (Random House), a family story set in Hawaii and California. Tonight, 7:30 p.m., Barnes & Noble Greenwich Village, 396 Sixth Ave. at 8th Street, 212-674-8780, free.

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