Old school and new

Tobias Wolff presents stories old and new in his latest collection, "Our Story Begins," inhabited by characters like con men trying to sell a Peruvian gold mine, aging professors, a bus boy who wants to be a writer, and a husband who considers leaving it all behind for Hollywood. Wolff is nothing if not versatile, known for his memoirs like "This Boy's Life" and novels like "Old School." He'll read from the new collection tonight at the Coolidge Corner Theatre; the event is sponsored by the Brookline Booksmith. 6 p.m. $5. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 617-566-6660. brooklinebooksmith.com