Readers interested in getting a fix for science, humor and even some live music can get their fill at Poulsbo’s Liberty Bay Books in January.

Author Patrick Loafman will read from his 2013 novel, “Somewhere Upriver,” at Liberty Bay Books on

Jan. 4, at 2 p.m.

Using his background as a herpetologist — an amphibian specialist — Loafman crafts a humorous tale of a burgeoning scientist and an eccentric research assistant in “Somewhere Upriver.” The young scientist is thrown into a world of toxic salamanders and government conspiracies.

The story takes place in Kitsap’s backyard, the Olympic National Park, where Loafman has spent considerable time as a herpetologist working for the park. He weaves his knowledge of the field and the Olympic landscape into the story, as well as a few other fun facts, such as Haiti’s zombie mythology.

Loafman also lives on the Dandelion Farm, near Joyce, on the north side of the Olympic Mountains. When he’s not studying amphibians or writing novels, he creates gourd art and gourd musical instruments such as drums, banjos and mandolins. At his Liberty Bay Books appearance, Loafman will play a kora, a 21-string harp/lute that originated in West Africa.

Liberty Bay Books is located at 18881 D Front St., Poulsbo.