Wed., Oct. 25

 Michael Tolkin's "The Player" was one of the best books we ever read about modern Hollywood and a damn fine movie by Robert Altman, too. Sequels are always suspect, but the first efforts were such damn fine  pieces of work, we're going to give Tolkin the benefit of the doubt on "The Return of the Player." This time, our protagonist, Griffin Mill, has risen nearly to the top of the Hollywood heap with $6 million in the bank and, fantasizing about owning his own private island. That's because he senses not just the demise of his business but the end of the world itself. Where better place to spend that fiery time than on an island somewhere? There;s other stuff, too: ED - as they call it on TV -a bratty wife, the scorn of his two older kids. The San Francisco Chronicle called it "a schizophrenic shaggy-vampire story, part evil comedy and part righteous protest ... " We'd say get ready for sharp satire, cynicism and dark comedy. Tolkin reads at Brookline Booksmith Wednesday Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. Free.

279 Harvard St., Brookline, 617-566-6660 brooklinebooksmith.com