Book calendar: Author events for the week of December 5, 2010

Words & Ideas

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich

SUNDAY

Rhapsodomancy Reading Series: Authors Diane Lefer (“ California Transit”), poet Robin Ekiss (“The Mansion of Happiness”), author/screenwriter Steve De Jarnatt (“Miracle Mile”) and poet Candace Pearson (“Hour of Unfolding”) will read their work. Good Luck Bar, 1514 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz. 7:30 p.m. $3. https://www.rhapsodomancy.org.

Virginia Scharff: The author of “The Women Jefferson Loved” will discuss and sign her new book. Autry National Center, 4700 Western Heritage Way, L.A. 2 p.m. Free with museum admission. RSVP to bnakasato@theautry.org or (323) 667-2000, Ext. 340.

MONDAY

Gerald Blaine & Lisa McCubbin: The authors of “The Kennedy Detail: JFK’s Secret Service Agents Break Their Silence” will be joined for a discussion and signing with ex-Kennedy agent Clint Hill. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna: The actor/authors of the memoir “Full Frontal Nudity: The Making of an Accidental Actor” and the novel “Starlit” will present and sign their new books. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

TUESDAY

Dick Cavett: Writers Bloc presents the legendary talk show host in conversation with Mel Brooks on the subject of Cavett’s new book, “Talk Show: Confrontations, Pointed Commentary and Off-Screen Secrets.” Saban Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. 7:30 p.m. $23. https://www.writersblocpresents.com.

Kim Gottlieb-Walker: The author of “ Bob Marley and the Golden Age of Reggae” will present and sign her new photography book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Andrew Harvey and Rev. Ed Bacon: Aloud at Central Library presents the author of “The Hope: A Guide to Sacred Activism” in conversation with the Rector of Pasadena’s All Saint’s Episcopal Church. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. https://www.aloudla.org.

Sean Yseult: The White Zombie bassist will present and sign her new book, “I’m in the Band: Backstage Notes from the Chick in White Zombie.” La Luz de Jesus Gallery, 4633 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. 6 p.m. Free. (323) 666-7667.

WEDNESDAY

Daniel Alarcón: The author of the story collection “War by Candlelight” and the novel “Lost City Radio” will read and discuss his work. Otis College of Art and Design, 9045 Lincoln Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 665-6892.

Thaisa Frank: The author of short story collections “A Brief History of Camouflage” and “Sleeping in Velvet” and the recent novel “Heidegger’s Glasses” will read and discuss her work. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Sean Yseult: The White Zombie bassist will present and sign her new book, “I’m in the Band: Backstage Notes From the Chick in White Zombie.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

THURSDAY

Christopher Isherwood’s Los Angeles: To mark the publication of the British writer’s “The Sixties: Diaries:1960-1969,” Zócalo presents a panel discussion with Don Bachardy, Isherwood Foundation director James White, Huntington Library manuscripts curator Sara Hodson and moderator David Kipen. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 381-2541. https://www.zocalopublicsquare.org.

Feral House and Process Winter Solstice Celebration: Authors published by the Port Townsend, Wash.-based indie imprints will present and sign their books: Deborah Eden Tull (“The Natural Kitchen”), Mel Gordon (“Voluptuous Panic”), Maja D’Aoust (“The Secret Source”), Kelly Coyne and Erik Knutzen (“The Urban Homestead”), Cletus Nelson (“Depression 2.0”) and Louis Sahagun (“Master of the Mysteries”); also, publisher Adam Parfrey. La Luz de Jesus Gallery, 4633 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. 6-9 p.m. Free. (323) 666-7667.

Michael Konik: The author of “Reefer Gladness: Stories, Essays and Riffs on Marijuana” will present and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

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

David Rohde and Kristen Mulvihill: The New York Times reporter, who was kidnapped and held in Pakistan for seven months, and his wife will present their new memoir, “A Rope and a Prayer: A Kidnapping From Two Sides.” Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

This Is Your Library: Aloud at Central Library presents the first of a series of eclectic evenings of conversation, live music and cocktails, featuring singer Ceci Bastida (Tijuana NO), food writer Jonathan Gold, City Librarian Martín Gómez, author/blogger Christian Lander (“Stuff White People Like”) and musician Keith Morris (Circle Jerks). Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7:30 p.m. $12-$15. (213) 228-7025. https://www.aloudla.org.

SATURDAY

Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna: The actor/authors will discuss and sign their respective new books, “Full Frontal Nudity: The Making of an Accidental Actor” and “Starlit: A Novel.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A. 5 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Jon Cotner, Andy Fitch and Grace Krilanovich: Cotner and Fitch, the authors of “Ten Walks/Two Talks,” and Krilanovich, the author of “The Orange Eats Creeps,” will read and sign their books. The Public School, 951 Chung King Road, L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 344-6137.