Casual readers and moviegoers will remember Colm Tóibín as the author of Brooklyn, the romantic and tear-jerking 2009 novel that follows a young Irish girl’s journey to New York and her life there. But the author also finds inspiration in the myths and legends of millennia ago. His newest book, House of Names, finds its footing in ancient events: specifically, the Trojan War. In it, he gives a voice to Clytemnestra, the woman who killed her husband, then ruled his kingdom for seven years before being offed by her son. Tóibín offers his subject some needed sympathy and challenges the one-sided version of the myth, thereby broadening a story readers already know. Read more >>> Colm Tóibín reads at 7 p.m. at Politics & Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW. Free. (202) 364-1919. politics-prose.com. (Caroline Jones)

EAT THIS

Chef Peter Chang‘s flagship restaurant Q by Peter Chang opened in Bethesda over the weekend. The menu has dim sum appetizers like his signature scallion bubble pancake ($4 each), a section dedicated to spicy food like mapo tofu with minced beef ($15), classics like Szechuan kung pao chicken ($16), and modern dishes like cumin lamb chops with garlic summer squash ($26). No alcohol is being served yet, but there’s a selection of soft drinks. Reservations are accepted through OpenTable. Q by Peter Chang, 4500 East West Highway #100, Bethesda. (240) 800-3722. qbypeterchang.com. (Laura Hayes)

OH AND ALSO

Stay cool like that and check out a performance by ’90s funk icons Digable Planets at The Howard Theatre. 9 p.m. at 620 T St. NW. $37.50–$77.50.

Austin-based Americana duo The Wind + The Wavetakes the stage at DC9 with opening acts Justin Kawika Young and The Native Sibling. 9 p.m. at 1940 9th St. NW. $14.

Head to the Black Cat Backstage for an evening of local rock featuring sets from Lanternfish, Technicians, and Time Columns. 7:30 p.m. at 1811 14th St. NW.

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