A longtime tradition at the Hamline-Midway Branch Library in St. Paul, the Fireside Reading Series begins this week with coffee, cider, cookies and poet Ed Bok Lee.

For three Wednesdays in February, beginning at 7 p.m., a different local writer will read and sign books in the library's fireside room. Ed Bok Lee will read from "Whorled," his new collection of poetry, which has been widely and enthusiastically received.

Peter Smith, author of the memoir "A Cavalcade of Lesser Horrors," will read on Feb. 8, and Diane Wilson will read from her new book, "Beloved Child: A Dakota Way of Life," on Feb. 15.

The reading series is sponsored by the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library and Micawber's Books. The library is at 1558 W. Minnehaha Av., St. Paul.

Also ...

"Life on Ice: 25 years of Arctic Exploration," by Lonnie Dupre, has been published by Keen Editions of Minneapolis. Dupre, who lives in Grand Marais, Minn., is a polar explorer who has traveled throughout the Arctic by dog team, ski and kayak. This year and last, Dupre has attempted to become the first person to solo-summit Mount Denali in January, but both years harsh weather forced him to turn back. He'll sign copies of his new book at 2 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Wintergreen Store in Wayzata and at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at Magers & Quinn in Uptown Minneapolis. He'll also speak April 14 at the Green Expo in Coon Rapids.

Star Tribune, Star Tribune
Peter Smith

• Holy Cow! Press of Duluth is soliciting manuscripts of poetry and personal essays on the topic of home -- where it's located in one's life, how it has changed over time. New work and previously published writings are welcome. A reading fee of $10 per author is requested. The deadline is June 30, and submissions can be sent to: The Editors, HOME Anthology, Holy Cow! Press, Post Office Box 3170, Mount Royal Station, Duluth, MN 55803.

• "Cloves and Honey: Love Poems," by Athena Kildegaard, has been published by Nodin Press. Kildegaard, who teaches at the University of Minnesota, Morris, is the author of two previous books, both published by Red Dragonfly Press. She'll read at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Loft in Minneapolis, and, with poet Cary Waterman, at Art Start, 1459 St. Clair Av., St. Paul, at 7 p.m. Feb. 9.

• Tim Kehoe's latest book is "Vincent Shadow: The Top-Secret Toys," published by Little, Brown. Kehoe is a toy inventor and the author of a number of books about Vincent Shadow. He lives in the Twin Cities.