When: multiple listings

David Shields, author of the New York Times Bestseller The Thing About Life is That One Day You'll Be Dead, will be reading from his book in various locations around the United States. Mesmerized…at times unnerved…by his ninety-seven-year-old father's nearly superhuman vitality and optimism, David Shields undertakes an investigation of the human physical condition. The result is this exhilarating book: both a personal meditation on mortality and an exploration of flesh-and-blood existence from crib to oblivion…an exploration that paradoxically prompts a renewed and profound appreciation of life.

When: Wednesday, March 5
Where: Third Place Books: 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
What time: 7 p.m.

When: Friday, March 7
Where: University Books: University District, 4326 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105
What time: 7 p.m.

When: Monday, March 10
Where: Elliott Bay Book Co.: 101 South Main Street, Seattle, Washington 98104
What time: 7:30 p.m.

When: Wednesday, March 12
Where: Happy Ending: 302 Broome St., New York, NY 10002
What time: 8 p.m.

When: Tuesday, March 18
Where: Magers and Quinn: 3038 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408
What time: 7:30 p.m.

When: Monday, March 24
Where: McNally Robinson Bookstore: 52 Prince St, New York, NY 10012
What time: 7 p.m.

When: Saturday, March 29
Where: Prairie Lights: 15 South Dubuque St., Iowa City, IA 52240
What time: 4 p.m.

When: Sunday, March 30
Where: Malaprops: 55 Haywood Street, Asheville, NC 28801
What time: 7 p.m.

When: Tuesday, April 1
Where: Powell’s: 1005 W. Burnside, Portland, OR, 97209
What time: 7:30 p.m.

When: Tuesday, April 8
Where: Stacey’s: 581 Market Street, San Francisco, CA, 94105
What time: 12:30 p.m.

When: Thursday, May 22
Where: Santoro's Books: 7216 Greenwood Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103
What time: 7:30 p.m.