Seeing as how cartoonist Stephan Pastis’ Pearls Before Swine comic strips have been syndicated across countless newspapers, there’s only a slight chance you’re unfamiliar with the mocking wit of Rat, the cluelessness of Pig, or the intellectual musings of Goat on various subjects. After all, those are just some of the strip’s anthropomorphic animals who eat, drink and talk shit. Pastis, a former lawyer, launched the sometimes controversial strip back in 2001 and has since gone on to build a fanbase among youngsters with his Timmy Failure children’s books. But his latest book, Pearls Falls Fast, returns to his staple mix of adult humor and rambunctious animals. He’ll sign and discuss the new collection at Park Road Books. (Anita Overcash)