Authorial Intent: Ackerman, Klein, Messud, More - Updated

"Authorial Intent" is Bostonist's attempt to bring you the best readings in the area, all tied up with a shiny bow.

Diane Ackerman, Wednesday, September 19, 7:00 pm, Harvard Book Store. More info.

In The Zookeeper's Wife, fiction writer, nonfiction writer, and poet Ackerman returns with the true story of zookeepers in Poland during World War II who hid Jews from the Nazis. The LA Times calls the novel "a shining book beyond category."

Jonathan Kozol, Wednesday, September 19, 7:30 pm, Memorial Church. More info from Harvard Book Store.

Breaking: Tickets for the Kozol reading have officially sold out.

Kozol reads from Letters to a Young Teacher, which is about exactly what you think it is about. His latest is one of his many efforts to give CPR to public education and get people to believe in it again.

Naomi Klein, Thursday, September 20, 6:00 pm, Brattle Theatre. More info from Harvard Book Store.

Breaking: Only 50 tickets are left for the Klein reading.

With The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism, Naomi Klein takes a pin and pops the balloon of the free-market believers. According to their theories, the free market was going to make the world a better place and improve everyone's quality of life. Instead, the "disaster" mentioned in Klein's title is more par for the course.

Valerie Martin and Claire Messud, Thursday, September 20, 7:00 pm, Brookline Booksmith.

A two-for-one deal. Martin is the author of Trespass, and Messud is the author of The Emperor's Children. Both of them touch on how the "war on terra" has impacted day-to-day life. Martin details the story of a mother who grows suspicious of her son's Croatian girlfriend. Messud writes of young New Yorkers trying to make it in the time just before 9/11 and what happens to their aspirations afterwards.

Mark Penn, Monday, September 24, 7:00 pm, Brookline Booksmith.

The Mark Penn reading has been cancelled "due to an unexpected professional obligation," according to Brookline Booksmith. Did Clinton call?

Wanna know what Hillary Clinton is thinking? Come see one of her advisors, Mark Penn, the author of Microtrends. He'll be the guy who discovers the next "soccer mom" demographic, and when Clinton starts speaking to that group, you'll know why.

Did we miss anything? Leave a tip or e-mail caroline@bostonist.com.