Tonight’s readings and lectures: Sherman Alexie, Martha Nussbaum, John D’Agata

* Sherman Alexie discusses his new story collection, War Dances, at Harold Washington Library. “Each piece asks a similar set of questions,” writes Mick Dumke. “What’s the point of all this? If there is a point, what’s the point of that? And isn’t life really goddamn funny?

* University of Chicago law prof Martha Nussbaum discusses constitutional law and same-sex marriage at Center on Halsted.

* “An October Sort of City: Chicago Authors Talk Chicago” at Heartland Cafe features Joe Meno, Cristina Henriquez, Deb Olin Unferth, and Eula Biss (this one’s not free, FYI).

* Essayist John D’Agata reads at Columbia College.