ON JELINEK Playwright and poet Fiona Templeton reads from writer Elfriede Jelinek’s “Krankheit oder Moderne Frauen” (Sickness or Modern Women), which Ms. Templeton translated. (Ms. Jelinek rarely appears in public; she did not attend the Nobel Prize ceremony when she won the award for literature in 2004.) Tonight, 6:30 p.m., CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Ave., between 34th and 35th streets, 212-817-8215, $10.

RELIGIOUS ROOTS Pastor Louis DeCaro reads from two of his books as a remembrance of “two revolutionaries,” John Brown and Malcolm X. “Fire From the Midst of You” (New York University Press) is a biography of Brown concentrating on the Puritan roots of his abolitionism. “On the Side of My People” (New York University Press) examines Malcolm X’s early Christian life and conversion to Islam. Gospel singer Michele Sweeting-DeCaro provides music at the reading. Tonight, 7 p.m., Labyrinth Books, 536 W. 112th St., between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue, 212-865-1588, free.

IN THE MIDDLE Writers Ken Wohlrob and Tim Hall are the guests at a reading series devoted to works-in-progress. Tonight, 7:30 p.m., 64 Downing St., between Bedford and Varick streets, 212-627-7995, free.

WHITMAN’S BIRTHDAY The Walt Whitman Project celebrates the poet’s 186th birthday during the year that marks the 150th anniversary of the publication of “Leaves of Grass.” Participating readers include the producing artistic director of the Walt Whitman Project, Judith Jarosz; the editor of “First and ‘Death-Bed’ Editions, Walt Whitman” (Barnes & Noble), Karen Karbiener, and poet Daniela Gioseffi. Lon Black reads excerpts from the 1855 Whitman poem “A Song for Occupations.” A birthday-cake reception follows. Tonight, 7:30 p.m., Theater Ten Ten, 1010 Park Ave. at 85th Street, 212-288-3246 ext. 3, $10.

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