Words & Ideas

Words & Ideas

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich.

SUNDAY

Bill Adler & Cey Adams: The author and designer will present and sign their new book, “Def Jam Recordings: The First 25 Years of the Last Great Record Label.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 3 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Ken Gonzales-Day: The artist and author of “Lynching in the West: 1850-1935” will present a lecture, “Profiled: Race and Whiteness in Sculpture from Frederick the Great to Edward Kienholz.” Brown Auditorium at LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. 2 p.m. Free. (323) 857-6000.

Jeff Hirsch, Cecil Castellucci and Maggie Stiefvater: The authors of “The Eleventh Plague,” “First Day on Earth” and “The Scorpio Races” will read and sign their respective new Young Adult novels. Mysterious Galaxy, 2810 Artesia Blvd., Redondo Beach. 4 p.m. Free. (310) 542-6000.

Les Klinger: The editor of “In the Shadow of Dracula” will discuss and sign the new anthology. Diesel Bookstore, 3890 Cross Creek Road, Malibu. 3 p.m. Free. (310) 456-9961.

Say, Pay or Play: Defining the Modern Book Review: KPCC’s John Rabe will moderate a panel discussion featuring Los Angeles Review of Books founder Tom Lutz, ForeWord Reviews editor Julie Eakin and Goodreads.com community manager Patrick Brown. Crawford Family Forum, 474 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena. 6 p.m. Free. (626) 583-5100.

MONDAY

Joshua Baldwin: The author of “The Wilshire Sun” will read and sign his new novella. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Steve Inskeep: Live Talks Los Angeles presents the co-host of NPR’s Morning Edition and author of “Instant City: Life and Death in Karachi” in conversation with his co-host Renee Montagne. Track 16 Gallery, Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica. 8 p.m. $20-$95. https://www.livetalksla.org.

Laini Taylor: The author of “Daughter of Smoke and Bone” will read and sign her new YA novel. Mysterious Galaxy, 2810 Artesia Blvd., Redondo Beach. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 542-6000.

TUESDAY

Cecil Castellucci: The author will read and sign her new YA novel, “First Day on Earth.” Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Ioan Grillo: The author of “El Narco: Inside Mexico’s Criminal Insurgency” will discuss and sign his new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Nicholas D. Kristof: The Pulitzer Prize-winning author and journalist will discuss his book “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide,” co-authored with his wife, journalist Sheryl WuDunn. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. 8 p.m. $5-$12. (877) 722-4849.

Kathy Reichs: The author will read and sign “Seizure,” the second novel in her Virals trilogy for YA readers. Mysterious Galaxy, 2810 Artesia Blvd., Redondo Beach. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 542-6000.

Norman Rush: The author of story collection “Whites” and National Book Award-winning novel “Mating” will discuss his work with novelist Mona Simpson. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Laini Taylor: The author of “Daughter of Smoke and Bone” will read and sign her new YA novel. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

WEDNESDAY

Dr. Jerome Groopman and Dr. Pamela Hartzband: Groopman, a New Yorker staff writer and oncologist and Hartzband, an endocrinologist and Harvard Medical School faculty member, will discuss and sign their new book, “Your Medical Mind: How to Decide What Is Right for You.” Temple Emanuel, 300 N. Clark Drive, Beverly Hills. 7:30 p.m. $20. https://www.writersblocpresents.com.

Charlaine Harris: The author will read and sign her latest Sookie Stackhouse book, “The Sookie Stackhouse Companion.” Mysterious Galaxy, 2810 Artesia Blvd., Redondo Beach. 4 p.m. Free. (310) 542-6000.

Stephanie Pearl-McPhee: The author of “All Wound Up: The Yarn Harlot Writes for a Spin” will present and sign her new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Andrea Syrtash: The author of “Cheat On Your Husband (With Your Husband): How to Date Your Spouse” will discuss and sign her new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Colson Whitehead: Aloud at Central Library presents the author in conversation with David Kipen on the subject of his new zombie novel, “Zone One.” A cocktail reception with the author follows program at 8:15 p.m. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Aloud program free; cocktail reception $25. (213) 228-7025. https://www.aloudla.org.

THURSDAY

Russell Banks: Host Michael Silverblatt will interview the author of “Lost Memory of Skin.” Bookworm, 89.9 KCRW-FM, 2:30 p.m. https://www.kcrw.com.

Friends of the USC Libraries Literary Luncheon: Lois Banner: The author of “M-M Personal: From the Private Archive of Marilyn Monroe” will discuss her recent book. Doheny Memorial Library at USC, 3550 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles. 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. 1 p.m. lecture, free; luncheon and lecture, $50-$65. RSVP to https://www.usc.edu/esvp. (213) 821-1153.

Anita Hill: Aloud at Central Library presents the Brandeis law professor in conversation with Patt Morrison on the subject of Hill’s new book, “Reimagining Equality: Stories of Gender, Race and Finding Home.” Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. Full; standby only. (213) 228-7025. https://www.aloudla.org.

Rhoda Janzen: The author of the memoir “Mennonite in a Little Black Dress” and poetry collection “Babel’s Stair” will read and discuss her work. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Julie Klam: The author of “Love at First Bark: How Saving a Dog Can Sometimes Help You Save Yourself” will discuss and sign her new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Paul Koudounaris: The author of “The Empire of Death: A Cultural History of Ossuaries and Charnel Houses” will present and sign his new book. Brand Library, 1601 W. Mountain St., Glendale. 7 p.m. Free. (818) 548-2051.

Ismet Prcic: The author of “Shards” will read and sign his debut novel. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Henry Rollins: The punk rock scribe will present and sign his new book of essays and photographs, “Occupants.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Writing the Memoir: Author Dinah Lenney will moderate a panel discussion with memoirists Bernard Cooper (“The Bill From My Father”), M.G. Lord (“Astro Turf”) and Mark Richard (“House of Prayer No. 2”). USC University Club, 645 W. Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Free. RSVP to mpw@dornsife.usc.edu.

FRIDAY

Brendan Brazier: The author of “Thrive Foods: 200 Plant-Based Recipes for Peak Health” will discuss and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Hallowe’en Horror Celebration: Authors Mike Mignola (“Hellboy”), F.J. Lennon (“Soul Trapper”), Mike Sirota (“Fire Dance”), Christopher Farnsworth (“The President’s Vampire”) and Stephen Prosapio (“Ghosts of Rosewood Asylum”) will present and sign their books. Mysterious Galaxy, 2810 Artesia Blvd., Redondo Beach. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 542-6000.

Ellen Hopkins: The author of “Perfect” will read and sign her new novel. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Paul La Farge: The author will read and sign his new novel, “Luminous Airplanes.” Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Young Literati 4th Annual Toast: Shepard Fairey and Rachel Small present an evening to benefit the Los Angeles Public Library, which will include readings and performances by Russell Brand, Demetri Martin, Henry Rollins, John Densmore, Busy Phillipps and comedic folk duo Garfunkel & Oates. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 8 p.m. $100-$150. (213) 228-7326. https://www.lfla.org.

SATURDAY

Five by Five: L.A. Noir: PEN Center USA presents writers Gary Phillips, Joseph Mattson, Carolyn Kellogg, Martin Pousson and David Kipen reading selections from their favorite Los Angeles noir novels. The Last Bookstore, 453 S. Spring St., L.A. 6 p.m. Free. (213) 488-0599. https://www.penusa.org.

Paul Kendel: The author of “Walking the Tiger’s Path: A Soldier’s Spiritual Journey in Iraq” will discuss and sign his new memoir. Shambhala Center of Los Angeles, 963 Colorado Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. $10. (323) 255-5472.

The New Short Fiction Series: The spoken word series presents “L.A. Stories,” a mini-series of literary events held in conjunction with the Fowler’s exhibition, “Mapping Another L.A.” This installment will feature authors Ron Arias, Vibiana Aparicio-Chamberlin and Alejandro Murguía. Fowler Museum at UCLA, W. Sunset Boulevard and Westwood Plaza, L.A. 3 p.m. https://www.newshortfictionseries.com.

Night and the City: L.A. Noir in Poetry, Fiction and Film: The Los Angeles Poetry Festival and Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center presents a reading and discussion on the theme “Kiss of Truth: Noir Women” with poet Carol Lem (“Gathering the Pieces”) and novelist Naomi Hirahara (“Snakeskin Shamisen”). Japanese American National Museum, 369 E. 1st St., L.A. 2 p.m. $5-$9. (213) 625-0414. https://www.beyondbaroque.org.

Laurie Stevens and George Clayton Johnson: The authors of “The Dark Before Dawn” and “Twilight Zone: Scripts and Stories” will present and sign their books. Mystery & Imagination Bookshop, 238 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. 2 p.m. Free. (818) 545-0121.

Amy Waldman: The author of “The Submission” will read and sign her new novel. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 5 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.