This week's round up of Toronto's literary events is full of university book affairs... from the U of T history department to a.rawlings and York U's HUMA 2900 Author series. Go back to school, just for a couple hours!

Tuesday, January 22nd:

U of T History Professor Steve Penfold and celebrated food writer Christine Sismondo will have an enriching, yet non-fattening, on stage conversation about the growth of a consumer society and 'snack-food patriotism' in Canada. Part of Pages TINARS, in celebration of the launch of Penfold's new book, The Donut: A Canadian History.
Gladstone Hotel Ballroom. 7pm. Free.

Hit up the Bay-Bloor Indigo when leadership guru Robin Sharma talks about and signs copies of his latest book, Greatness Guide 2.
Indigo Bay & Bloor. 7pm. Free.

It's the 9th annual Art Bar Discovery Night, with guest host Nancy Bullis. 20 poets will present their own work in three rounds, be judged by the audience, and have the chance of winning a feature spot at the Art Bar on Tuesday, April 8th. Open to anyone who has never been featured at the Art Bar Poetry Series. See the rules at the Art Bar website.
Clinton's. 7pm (sign up begins at 7:30pm). Free.

More events after the jump...

Wednesday, January 23rd:

Join K. Sawyer Paul as he launches his new book, No Chinook, with musical entertainment by Chad Laughing and Pinto Publico.
The Central. 9:30pm. Free.

York University presents a film/video translation of Nicole Brossard's Mauve Desert. Media artist Adriene Jenik will lecture and introduce her revision of the classic experimental novel into a hypertextual interface in four languages.
York University, Stong College, Rm. 108. 1 - 2:30pm. Free.

Former speech writer for George W. David Frum will read from his latest work, Comeback: Conservatism that Can Win Again. Frum will be speaking about what the U.S. can expect once the current president leaves office.
Hart House Library. 12 noon. Free.

Thursday, January 24th:

Rabbi Tina Grimberg, author of Out of Line: Growing Up Soviet, will read from this collection of short stories, giving an unforgettable look behind what was the Iron Curtain; a way of life that was reality for millions of people in the twentieth century.
Toronto Public Library Locke Branch. 7pm. Free.

Corey Redekop, Open Book's January Writer in Residence, is reading from his latest novel, Shelf Monkey.
Type Books. 7pm. Free.

RM Vaughan will be reading from his book of poetry, Ruined Stars, as part of York University's Canadian Writers in Person series.
York University, Accolade West Building, Room 206. 7pm. Free.

Join Indigo CEO Heather Reisman as she interviews Rotman School of Management Dean Roger Martin. They'll be discussing his latest book, The Opposable Mind.
Indigo Bay & Bloor. 7pm. Free.

Monday, January 28th:

Meet best-selling author Steve Berry in this exclusive Canadian appearance. Mr. Berry will be signing copies of all his books including his new "Cotton Malone" thriller, The Venetian Betrayal.
Indigo First Canadian Place. 12:30pm. Free.

a.rawlings will return to her alma mater to read for the HUMA 2900 Author Series.
York University. 7:30am (that's gawd-awful early, but it's the only time I could find!). Free.