Bates College will present author Benjamin Nugent for its Literary Arts Live series of readings and conversations at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Nugent wrote the novel “Good Kids” and the cultural history book “American Nerd.” His work has been anthologized in “Best American Short Stories” and his collection “Fraternity” is forthcoming. His free talk is at Muskie Archives, 70 Campus Ave. For more information call 207-753-6963.