Gopnik and Guiliano Reading - and Mingling - in Cambridge

Adam Gopnik and Mireille Guiliano will be reading on Wednesday night at 6 pm at First Church in Cambridge, Congregational, at 11 Garden St.. The reading is $3, and tickets can be purchased at Harvard Book Store or by calling 617.661.1515.

At 7:30, the reading will be followed by a reception at UpStairs on the Square. Tickets for the reading and reception are $80 and can be purchased at the Harvard Book Store website or by calling 617.661.1424, ext. 1.

The Globe gave us some helpful hints on how to live well in this town on the cheap. We've got an event for you along those lines. On Wednesday night, you can see Adam Gopnik and Mireille Guiliano read courtesy of Harvard Book Store. And it will cost you only three smackers.

This event might be perfect for those of you with a hot date and very little change in your pocket. Gopnik, author of Paris to the Moon, will be discussing his latest work, Through the Children's Gate, which follows his son and daughter as they grow up in New York City.

If you don't recognize Mireille Guiliano's name, you still probably know her as the author of French Women Don't Get Fat. At first glance, her work seems like a clever twist on diet books, but her fans say she's just promoting the French lifestyle. Either way, she's a good pairing with the transatlantic Gopnik.

For those of you with a better budget, or if you have an anniversary to take care of, you can wine and dine with Gopnik and Guiliano during the reception at UpStairs on the Square. The reception menu lists such treats as a "shot of chestnut soup" and "gruyere and parmesan profiteroles." Champagne is included. Guiliano is famous for preaching moderation when it comes to food and drink - so it might be a test to see if you can hold back when the food platter comes your way.

For the rest of us who can only afford the reading, Bostonist strongly recommends attending the reading and then celebrating with a bottle of champagne from the packie and defrosted appetizers from Trader Joe's.

Cover image of Through the Children's Gate from Amazon.com.