Book calendar: Author events for the week of December 12, 2010

Words & Ideas

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich 

MONDAY

Jon Cotner & Andy Fitch and Maggie Nelson: Cotner and Fitch, authors of “Ten Walks/Two Talks,” will be joined for a reading and signing with author/poet Nelson (“Bluets”). Family, 436 N. Fairfax Ave., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 782-9221.

McSweeney’s Quarterly #36 Launch: A release party, reading and performance celebrating the new issue of the literary magazine; featuring Tim Heidecker and Gregg Turkington from “The Tim & Eric Awesome Show,” the Watson Twins and Josh Bearman. Jensen Rec Center, 1161 Logan St., L.A. 8 p.m. $26; includes copy of the new issue. (213) 413-3388. https://www.826la.org.

Anne Rice: The author will read and sign the second book in her Songs of the Seraphim series, “Of Love and Evil.” Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Robert Scheer: The author of “The Great American Stickup: How Reagan Republicans and Clinton Democrats Enriched Wall Street While Mugging Main Street” will present and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

TUESDAY

75 Years of DC Comics: Comedian Patton Oswalt will moderate a panel discussion featuring DC Comics editorial and artistic mainstays Paul Levitz, Jim Lee and Geoff Johns. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Thaisa Frank: The author of “Heidegger’s Glasses” will read and sign her new novel. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Wendell Potter: The author of “Deadly Spin: An Insurance Company Insider Speaks Out on How Corporate PR Is Killing Health Care and Deceiving Americans” will discuss and sign his new book. All Saints Episcopal Church, 132 N. Euclid Ave., Pasadena. 7 p.m. (626) 449-5320. https://www.vromansbookstore.com.

WEDNESDAY

David L. Ulin: The Times’ book critic will discuss and sign his new book, “The Lost Art of Reading.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

THURSDAY

Jon Cotner & Andy Fitch: The authors of “Ten Walks/Two Talks” will read and sign their new hybrid poetry/nonfiction book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Kim Gottlieb-Walker: The author of “ Bob Marley and the Golden Age of Reggae, 1975-1976” will present and sign her new photography book. Eso Won Books, 4331 Degnan Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 290-1048.

FRIDAY

Homo-Centric Reading Series: Hank Henderson hosts a reading with authors and performers Vivek Shraya, Corey Saucier, John Boucher and Martin Martinez. Stories, 1716 Sunset Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (213) 413-3733. https://www.homo-centric.com.