HISTORY IN PICTURES Graphic novelist Eric Shanower reads from and discusses his novel “Age of Bronze 2: Sacrifice — The Story of the Trojan War” (Image Comics). Today, 4 p.m., Jim Hanley’s Universe, 4 W. 33rd St. at Fifth Avenue, 212-268-7088, free.

MYSTERIOUS WAYS Dennis Lehane reads from his collection of short stories, “Coronado” (HarperCollins), which includes a two-act play called “Until Gwen.” Tonight, 7 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 33 E. 17th St., between Broadway and Park Avenue, 212-253-0810, free.

INDEPENDENCE DAY Simon Schama reads from his historical account “Rough Crossings: Britain, the Slaves and the American Revolution” (Ecco). Tonight, 7 p.m., Strand Bookstore, 828 Broadway at 12th Street, 212-473-1452, free.

NEW YORK CHILDHOOD Wendy Spero reads from her autobiography “Microthrills: True Stories From a Life of Small Highs” (Penguin), about growing up with her sex-therapist mother on the Upper East Side. Tonight, 7 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 675 Sixth Ave. at 22nd Street, 212-727-1227, free.

LANGUAGE BARRIER Michael Wex reads from his essay “Born to Kvetch: Yiddish Language and Culture in All Its Moods” (HarperCollins). Tonight, 7 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 1972 Broadway at 66th Street, 212-362-8835, free.

CURSE OF THE MONSTER Dorothy Hoobler and Thomas Hoobler read from their literary analysis, “The Monsters: Mary Shelley and the Curse of Frankenstein” (Little, Brown), which describes the untimely deaths of the authors who were influential in the novel’s creation. Tonight, 7 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 2289 Broadway at 82nd Street, 212-362-8835, free.

LAST RITES Lisa Takeuchi Cullen reads from her essay “Remember Me: A Lively Tour of the New American Way of Death” (HarperCollins), about America’s funeral customs. Tonight, 8 p.m., Rocky Sullivan’s Pub, 129 Lexington Ave., between 28th and 29th streets, 212-725-3871, free.