Quick Hits

Reading

With her first novel, ''Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell," set in the world of magic in early 19th-century England, Susanna Clarke is being compared to Charles Dickens and Jane Austen. Clarke reads from it tonight at 6:30 at Boston Public Library's Rabb Lecture Hall.

700 Boylston St., 617-536-5400.Magic

The Comedy Studio says its Tuesday night Mystery Lounge Magic show has been doing so well it's being extended through the holidays. Tonight at 8; $7.

1238 Massachusetts Ave., 617-661-6507Jazz

Vocal jazz group Syncopation -- which a critic here at the Globe calls ''The Manhattan Transfer of the 21st century" -- pops into Ryles tonight for an evening of standards, originals, Latin tunes, and revamped pop favorites. At 9. Following is the Toni Ballard jazz band. Cover: $7.

212 Hampshire St., 617-876-9330.Classical music

''Tuesdays With Sebastian" has nothing to do with the late actor Sebastian Cabot (who played the imitable Mr. French on ''Family Affair"). Nope, it's about Sebastian Bach and his Chorale Preludes for Advent and Christmas. Tonight's hourlong concert by Christa Rakich and Peter Sykes takes place at Old West Church and starts at 8. Suggested donation: $10.

131 Cambridge St., 617-227-5088.