The daily digest of Twin Cities culture | Secrets of the City

BOOKS & AUTHORS
Charles Baxter's Soul Thief

Those of us who have been to grad school know how difficult it can be, and how easy it can be to slip into breakdown mode. But best-selling author and U of M professor Charles Baxter takes this to a whole new level in his latest novel The Soul Thief. With a title like that, you can just imagine — or can you? Baxter's protagonist, a graduate student in upstate New York, is drawn into a tangle of relationships, one of which ultimately provokes a total breakdown. Nothing so new here, but it gets more complicated when our befuddled protagonist is faced with the reality that his identity may, in fact, not be his own. "The Soul Thief is both lyrical and eerie as Baxter delivers a unique novel with emotional detail and metaphysical underpinnings." Meet Baxter this evening as he discusses his new novel and signs copies for the public.

4 p.m., University of Minnesota Bookstore, Coffman Memorial Union, 300 Washington Ave. S.E., Minneapolis; 612-626-0559; free.

MORE BOOKS & AUTHORS
Dan Buettner Maps the Course for a Longer, Healthier Life

For whatever reason — probably because, despite all our technological advances and botox, we can't seem to find a way to control it — our society is most definitely obsessed with aging, and the quest to conquer it. Ha! Well, while we may not be able to stop the aging process, there are certainly a number of things we can do to secure a longer, healthier life. And few people are as equipped to address the matter as world explorer and Minneapolis local Dan Buettner. For the past seven years Buettner has spearheaded the Blue Zones project, which has identified and studied four pockets around the world (which he calls blue zones) where people live measurably longer, healthier lives. Now, in his new book, The Blue Zone, Buettner shares his "Power 9" habits — lifestyle traits that promote longevity.

6 p.m. reception, 6:45 program, Minneapolis Central Library, Pohland Hall – Second Floor, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis; 612-863-4126; free.

Also this evening, Nevada Barr will be discussing her latest novel, Winter Study at Barnes & Nobles Edina (7:30 p.m.), in Galleria Shopping Center.

SPECIAL EVENT - SPORTS
The 75th Annual Northwest Sportshow

As the weather warms up a bit — finally! — it's time to start thinking about the great outdoors. And what better way to bring it on than with the Midwest's largest sports show? The 76th Annual Northwest Sportshow begins today (through Sunday) and features more than 600 exhibitor from the United States and Canada. Stop on by and see the latest hunting, fishing, boating, RV, and camping products. Attend seminars by expert anglers. And enjoy the lumberjack show, 3D pop-up archery practice, remote control boat racing, and kids fishing.

1-9 p.m., Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Ave. S., Minneapolis; free.