David Loftus, host of “Story Time for Grownups,” will read from the writings of Harlan Ellison—author of fantastic tales, fire-breathing essays, and memorable TV shows. No cover.

Ellison is best known as the author of the most famous episode of the original “Star Trek” series, “City on the Edge of Forever,” in which Kirk, Spock, and McCoy travel through time to Depression-era New York City, and Kirk falls in love with a Salvation Army nurse played by Joan Collins. He composed the novella “A Boy and His Dog,” a post-apocalyptic tale of mayhem and cannibalism that became a cult 1975 movie starring then-unknown Don Johnson, but he also wrote TV criticism, political commentaries, and an early rock ’n’ roll novel, Spider Kiss.

Unlike many writers, Ellison’s life was as exciting and varied as his work: from running away from home at 13 to join a carnival to singing in the original Broadway production of “Kismet” ... from driving a dynamite truck and working in a porn shop in Times Square to lecturing at colleges ... from marching on Selma with Dr. King to being rescued from death in the desert by Steve McQueen.

Order a pint of beer, a pot of tea, soup, sandwich, or cookies while you enjoy the old-fashioned pleasure of listening to stories read aloud. Browse the shelves for a book you might like to take home. Loftus will read some of Ellison’s nonfiction as well as a short story or two.