Lit: David Baldacci

The Mercantile Library continues its cultivation of interesting literature with the 21st annual Niehoff Lecture delivered by David Baldacci. Best known for his 1996 debut novel Absolute Power (which Clint Eastwood made into a movie starring himself and Gene Hackman), the Virginia-bred author has published an astonishing 16 books in the dozen years since his breakthrough, most of which lean heavily on his experience as a lawyer and his deft crafting of thrilling, tension-laced narratives. And he’s also a good guy: Baldacci founded his own foundation for literacy, dubbed Wish You Well Foundation, and also serves as a national ambassador for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Oh, and don’t forget that he once made People magazine’s 50 most beautiful people in the world list. The evening, which includes a black-tie dinner, begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday in the Cincinnati Hilton Netherland Plaza’s Hall of Mirrors. $150 for Mercanile members; $175 for everyone else.