Of all those holiday traditions -- dragging out the dusty boxes of Christmas decorations, fabricating a list of gifts the kids can buy you, resolving to shop ahead to avoid a trip to Pennsylvania Macaroni Co. the weekend before Dec. 25 and debating the dozens of "best books of the year" lists -- I usually honor the last one first.

Many of the lists emerged over the weekend. Not surprisingly, they referenced the same books. (The Post-Gazette list appears, fittingly, on Dec. 25.)

In fiction, the most popular are "Tree of Smoke" by Denis Johnson, the National Book Award winner, "The Savage Detectives" by the late Roberto Bolano and "The Brief, Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" by Junot Diaz.

It's interesting that two of the books are set in Latin America -- Diaz used his native Dominican Republic and Bolano Chile -- and the third uses Vietnam.

Clearly, America is finally looking hard at its southern neighbors and discovering there's more to their literature than "One Hundred Years of Solitude."

Bolano, who died at 50 three years ago, was on the verge of establishing himself as the new voice in Latin American fiction while Diaz, 37, published his first novel 11 years after his popular collection of short stories, "Drown," appeared.

Johnson, 58, a retiring writer who avoids publicity, has been largely a short-story writer and poet. His novel expressed the perception that war kills more than bodies.

On the nonfiction list, Tim Weiner's "Legacy of Ashes" is a regular on the lists, no surprise considering it's not only a National Book Award winner but the product of serious research on the CIA.

David Halberstam, another writer who died before his time, is recognized for his final book, "The Coldest Winter," a history of the Korean War.

Finally, a biography of a cartoonist captured national attention. David Michaelis' "Schultz and Peanuts" managed to weave the life of Charles Schultz in between the decades of his comic strip to write a social history of America as well.

There will be more great books on the Post-Gazette list, a few that others overlooked and a few they did not. Keep reading.

• A reading to raise funds for the local ACLU chapter features 11 local poets tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Silver Eye Center, 1015 E. Carson St., South Side. They are:

Romella Kitchens, Richard St. John, Arlan Hess, Carol Vanderveer Hamilton, Arlene Weiner, Justin Vicari, Joseph Karasek, Marc Jampole, Rosaly Roffman, Joan Bauer and Philip Terman.

Tickets are $20. Call 412-441-8172.

• The Gist Street Reading Series launched its six-month hiatus Friday with two readings and some curious music selections before its usual packed house Uptown. Podcasts of its previous programs are now available at its Web site: www.giststreet.org.

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is now wireless system-wide. Internet access a la Wi-Fi is up at all 18 locations. A library card is required along with a laptop.

Angela Johnson, author of the award-winning novel for young readers, "First Part Last," reads and signs books tomorrow night at the Homewood branch at 6 p.m. Registration is required by e-mail -- teens@carnegielibrary.org -- or phone -- 412-578-2599.

Two local authors have three stories featured in books in the "New Chicken Soup for the Soul's" Delectable Series.

Cheryl Elaine Williams of Bethel Park wrote the story "Memories to be Treasured" in "Chicken Soup for the Coffee Lover's Soul" and the story "Dad's First Date" in "Chicken Soup for the Tea Lover's Soul."

Joyce Uhernik Kurzawski of Overbrook wrote the story "Communion Wine" in "Chicken Soup for the Wine Lover's Soul."

The Delectable Series, which the publisher describes as "life-affirming stories blended with interesting trivia, humorous anecdotes and helpful information that will assist readers in selecting, preparing and enjoying their favorite indulgence," also includes the book, "Chicken Soup for the Chocolate Lover's Soul."

Each book in the flavorful series retails for $14.95.

(Contributed by staff writer L.A. Johnson.)