Weds., May 5 Tonight see Abe Lincoln redivivus at Cooper ...

May 5 Tonight see Abe Lincoln redivivus at Cooper Union's Great Hall, as actor Sam Waterston recreates the monumental speech that made Abraham Lincoln president (6:30, free). Look out for ghosts: This is where the address was originally delivered in 1860.

For a stop-motion animation dose of sugar, visit the Barnes & Noble at 65th St. Ray Harryhausen, the man who brought skeletons and gorgons to life in classics like Jason and the Argonauts and Clash of the Titans reads Ray Harryhausen: An Animated Life.

Thurs., May 6 Tonight is the Soft Skull Press Small Spiral Notebook Launch Party at KGB Bar (7, $10). Admission gets you a raffle ticket and a print edition of the Small Spiral Notebook by Maggie Estep and Daniel Nester.

Also tonight, Gloria Feldt, author of The War on Choice: The Right Wing Attack on Women's Rights and How to Fight Back is at the 82nd and B'way Barnes & Noble (7:30, free).

Sat., May 8 Join fellow candylovers as the perfectly named Steve Almond signs and discusses his book Candyfreak: A Journey Through the Chocolate Underbelly of America this afternoon at Dylan's Candy Bar (2, free).

Mon., May 10 This afternoon, Arizona senator and possible future secretary of defense John McCain reads from Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life at the Barnes & Noble at 65th St. (12:30, free). Don't make any sudden, loud noises.

Tonight's PEN International Literary Exploration event at the Laura Pels Theatre (7, $15/$5 st.) pairs Obie Award-winning playwright Eve Ensler with the Iranian writer Azar Nafisi (Reading Lolita in Tehran), plus readings by Shohreh Aghdashloo, the first Iranian actress to be nominated for an Academy Award, and Emmy Award-winning actress Swoosie Kurtz.

Tues., May 11 She left her gun at home, so enjoy Karen Finley's reading of Valerie Solanas' "Society for Cutting Up Men" handbook, aka The SCUM Manifesto tonight at Monkey Temple (7, free). Most importantly, though, New York Press homie fo' life Jim Knipfel will be reading from his new memoir, Ruining It for Everybody at the Astor Place B&N. He'll be the super cool dude in the fedora (7:30, free).

Astor Place Barnes & Noble, 4 Astor Pl. (betw. B'way & Lafayette St.), 212-420-1322; Barnes & Noble 82nd St., 2289 B'way (82nd St.), 212-362-8835; Barnes & Noble 65th St., 1972 B'way (betw. W. 65th & W. 66th Sts.), 212-595-6859; Great Hall at Cooper Union, 7 E. 7th St. (3rd Ave.), 212-353-4120; Monkey Temple, 558 Broome St. (betw. 6th Ave. & Varick St.), 646-613-1610; The Laura Pels Theatre, 111 W. 46th St. (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.), 212-334-1660; Dylan's Candy Bar, 1011 3rd Ave. (60th St.), 646-735-0078; KGB Bar, 85 E. 4th St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), 212-505-3360.