Concord: Novelist E.L. Doctorow will discuss his literary life at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Trinitarian Congregational Church, 54 Walden St. The much-admired writer and editor will sign copies of his books (a limit of three per person), which will be available for purchase at the event. Proceeds benefit the Walden Woods Project. Reservations are recommended. $5-$15. 781-259-4707.
Medford: Historian Thomas L. Doughton, coauthor of "From Bondage to Belonging: The Worcester Slave Narratives," will discuss "Beyond Belinda's Story: Moral and Legal Responsibilities to Freed Slaves in Massachusetts" at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Royall House and Slave Quarters, 15 George St. Free. royallhouse.org, 781-396-9032.
Methuen: Author Evelyn Shakir will read from "Remember Me to Lebanon: Stories of Lebanese Women in America," a collection of short stories about the assimilation and experiences of first- and second-generation Lebanese women in this country, at 6 p.m. tomorrow at the Nevins Memorial Library, 305 Broadway. Free. 978-373-2288. North Reading: John Veneziano, former sports media relations director at Harvard, knows the score, or, perhaps more precisely, a remarkable amount of sports trivia, history-making stats, deals, and championships. He will discuss his book "Numbelieveable: The Dramatic Stories Behind the Most Memorable Numbers in Sports History" at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Flint Memorial Library, 147 Park St. Free. 978-664-4942. Nashua: Music and mortality are topics of the next talks at the Nashua Public Library, 2 Court St. At 7 p.m. Thursday, transplant surgeon Pauline W. Chen will discuss her book "Final Exam: A Surgeon's Reflections on Mortality," her thoughts and experiences on death and dying. At 7 p.m. May 29, guitarist and musicologist Jose Manuel Lezcano will present "The Guitar and the Devil: Music, Magic and Ritual Among Ecuadorian Indians," a slide lecture and performance about the summer solstice and corn harvest traditions of Ecuador. Free. nashualibrary.org, 603-589-4610. FOOD FOR THOUGHT Concord: Asparagus, with no fat, no cholesterol, and little sodium, is plentiful this time of year. Verrill Farm, 11 Wheeler Road, will hold an asparagus festival Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., including a trip through the fields, luncheon, and tips on cooking asparagus. $25. Reservations required. verrillfarm.com, 978-369-4494. Nashua: Taste of Downtown Nashua tickets are available. The event at 6:30 p.m. June 4 features the culinary talents of 27 city restaurants, augmented by musical entertainment. Discounted tickets are available online for $30 through Friday; then $35; and $40 on the day of the event, if available. nashuataste.com. NorthWest Calendar and Best Bets listings should be sent, three weeks in advance, to Libbie Payne at epayne@globe.com. 
