Jonathan Lethem (Credit: Sylvia Plachy)

1. Jonathan Lethem’s characters have funny-sounding names — his new novel is peopled by likes of Chase Insteadman, Perkus Tooth and Oona Laszlo. But the quirky nomenclature is just a hint of the twisted sprawl in Chronic City, an almost-500-page dream march through Manhattan. The author of Motherless Brooklyn and The Fortress of Solitude lands at Harbourfront this week to read from this latest epic brain-bend. 7:30pm. $8; free for members, students. Lakeside Terrace, York Quay Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000. www.readings.org.

2. As a teaser for their Thursday gig at the Horseshoe, Quebecois prog-pop marvels — and two-time Polaris Prize nominees — Malajube will do a free in-store performance at Sonic Boom (512 Bloor W.) at 7pm.

3. And tonight's your last chance to catch Ian "King of Rock" Blurton's new space-truckin'' project The Happy Endings, as the band closes out their Wednesday-night residency at The Dakota Tavern (249 Ossington) before reconvening in early 2010.