Book calendar events for the week of July 10, 2011

Words & Ideas

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich.

SUNDAY

Ann Gentry: The author of “Vegan Family Meals: Real Food for Everyone” will present and sign her new cookbook. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 4 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Diana B. Henriques: The New York Times financial writer and author of “The Wizard of Lies: Bernie Madoff and the Death of Trust” will discuss and sign her new book. Center for Inquiry, 4773 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. 11 a.m. $8. (323) 666-9797.

Hitched: African-American Los Angeles: Authors and poets Wanda Coleman (“Mercurochrome”), Pam Ward (“Want Some, Get Some”), Douglas Kearney (“The Black Automaton”) and Chris Webb will read their work. Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice. 5 p.m. (310) 822-3006.

The New Short Fiction Series: A dramatic reading of Davin Malasarn’s “The Wild Grass and Other Stories” featuring performers Sally Shore, David Bickford, Kimiko Gelman, Dian Kobayashi and Matthew Lange. The Writers Junction, 1001 Colorado Ave., Santa Monica. 7 p.m. $10-$15. (866) 811-4111. https://www.newshortfictionseries.com.

Mona Simpson: The author of “My Hollywood” will read and discuss her latest novel as part of the Autry Book Club. Autry National Center, 4700 Western Heritage Way, L.A. 2 p.m. Free with museum admission. (323) 667-2000.

MONDAY

Adam Levin and Adam Novy: The authors of “The Instructions” and “The Avian Gospels” will read and sign their respective novels. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Louise Su Tang: The author of “Cantonese Yankee” will discuss and sign her new biography of Kong Bing Kong. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

TUESDAY

Tim Black, Cynthia Black and Camille Dungy: The poets will read their work. Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Hwy., Santa Monica. 6:30 p.m. Free.

Oran B. Hesterman: The author of “Fair Food: Growing a Healthy, Sustainable Food System for All” will discuss and sign his new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Michael C. McMillen: Aloud at Central Library presents the artist in conversation with Howard N. Fox, Emeritus Curator of Contemporary Art at LACMA. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. https://www.aloudla.org.

Josh Ritter: The singer-songwriter will read and sign his debut novel, “Bright’s Passage.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

United in Anger: A History of Act-Up: Writer Sarah Schulman, co-director (with filmmaker Jim Hubbard) of the Act-Up Oral History Project, will discuss the history of AIDS activism, vis-a-vis the advocacy group AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (Act-Up). Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

WEDNESDAY

p.g. sturges: The author of “Shortcut Man” will read and sign his new novel. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Dorothy Wickenden: The author of “Nothing Daunted: The Unexpected Education of Two Society Girls in the West” will discuss and sign her new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

THURSDAY

Chris Adrian: Host Michael Silverblatt will interview the author of “The Great Night.” Bookworm, 89.9 KCRW-FM, 2:30 p.m. https://www.kcrw.com.

Steven Petrow: The author of “Steven Petrow’s Complete Gay & Lesbian Manners: The Definitive Guide to LGBT Life” will discuss and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Kwei Quartey: The author will read and sign his new novel, “Children of the Street: An Inspector Darko Dawson Mystery.” Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

FRIDAY

Chris D. and Donna Lethal: The authors of the compendium “A Minute to Pray, a Second to Die” and the memoir “Milk of Amnesia” will read and sign their respective books. TKO Records, 18948 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley. 6 p.m. Free. (714) 962-0500.

Daphna Edwards Ziman: The author of “The Gray Zone” will read and sign her new novel. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 2 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

SATURDAY

Jan Burke: The author will read and sign her latest, “Disturbance: An Irene Kelly Novel.” Apostrophe Books, 4712 E. 2nd St., Long Beach. 2 p.m. Free. (526) 438-7950.

Donna Lethal: The author of “Milk of Amnesia” will read and sign her new memoir, and will be joined by musical guest The Shore, as part of Vroman’s Summer Author and Music Series. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 3 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Brian McGackin: The author of “Broetry” will read and sign his debut collection of Bro-poems. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 3 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.