Book calendar events for the week of June 12, 2011

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich

SUNDAY

J.J. Abrams and Michael Giacchino: The Hammer Conversations series presents Abrams, the co-creator of the series “Lost” and creator of “Felicity,” “Alias” and “Fringe,” in conversation with film composer Giacchino (“Up,” “Ratatouille”). Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles. 3 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Steve Almond: The author of “Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life” will read and sign his self-published books: “This Won’t Take But a Minute, Honey,” “Bad Poetry” and “Letters from People Who Hate Me.” Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 5 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Go West Reading Series: The premiere installment of the new series will feature a reading and discussion with contributors to the new magazine Boom: A Journal of California: Susan Straight, Mariam Lam, Lynell George and Boom co-editors Carolyn de la Peña and Louis Warren. Autry National Center, 4700 Western Heritage Way, L.A. 2 p.m. $10; free for Autry members. (323) 667-2000.

The New Short Fiction Series: A dramatic reading from Erica Bauermeister’s new novel, “Joy For Beginners,” featuring Sally Shore, Elena Fasan, Jessica Hopper and Karen Teliha. The Writers Junction, 1001 Colorado Ave., Santa Monica. 7 p.m. $10-$15. (866) 811-4111.

Kaira Rouda: The author of “Here, Home, Hope” will read and sign her new novel. Diesel Bookstore, 225 26th St., L.A. 3 p.m. Free. (310) 576-9960.

MONDAY

Irish Poets at the Huntington: Paul Muldoon, Dana Gioia, Eavan Boland and Sinead Morrissey will read and discuss their work as part of the XXII North American James Joyce Conference. Huntington Library, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. 7 p.m. $10. (626) 405-2100. https://www.joyceconference2011.com.

Jeffrey Lyons: The author of “Stories My Father Told Me: Notes from ‘The Lyons Den’” will present and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

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

TUESDAY

An Evening of Poetry Curated by John Tottenham: Dottie Grossman, Eric Erlandson and Hank Cherry will read their work. The Cactus Lounge at The Standard — Hollywood, 8300 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 8 p.m. Free. (323) 650-9090.

Jon-Jon Goulian: The author of “The Man in the Gray Flannel Skirt” will present and sign his new memoir. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Richard Louv: The author of “The Nature Principle: Human Restoration and the End of Nature-Deficit Disorder” will discuss and sign his new book. All Saints Episcopal Church, 132 N. Euclid Ave., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320. https://www.vromansbookstore.com.

We Are Here: We Could Be Everywhere: Media, Arts and Activism in Los Angeles: Aloud at Central Library presents a panel discussion with authors and academics Anikó Imre (“Identity Games,” “East European Cinemas”), Henry Jenkins (“Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide”), Times arts and culture reporter Reed Johnson and Fabian Wagmister. Moderated by UC Riverside Media and Cultural Studies faculty Kenneth Rogers. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. https://www.aloudla.org.

WEDNESDAY

Nicholson Baker: The author of the novels “The Anthologist,” “Vox,” “The Mezzanine” and the forthcoming “House of Holes,” in addition to nonfiction works “Double Fold: Libraries and the Assault on Paper” and “Human Smoke,” will discuss his work, libraries, James Joyce and dirty books with book critic David Kipen as part of the XXII North American James Joyce Conference. Huntington Library, Friends’ Hall, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. 4:30 p.m. $10. (626) 405-2100. https://www.joyceconference2011.com.

Christina Haag: The author of “Come to the Edge” will discuss and sign her new memoir about her time with John F. Kennedy, Jr. Village Books, 1049 Swarthmore Ave., Pacific Palisades. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 454-4063.

Helene Hegemann: The author of “Axolotl Roadkill” will discuss and sign her debut novel and will screen scenes from her film “Torpedo.” Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Dhani Jones: The football player and television host will present and sign his new book, “The Sportsman: Unexpected Lessons from an Around-the-World Sports Odyssey.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Star Jones: The former co-host of “The View” will present and sign her new novel, “Satan’s Sisters.” Eso Won Books, 4331 Degnan Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 290-1048.

Mark Seal: The author of “The Man in the Rockefeller Suit: The Astonishing Rise and Spectacular Fall of a Serial Imposter” will discuss and sign his new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

THURSDAY

Bloomsday: An event marking the 107th anniversary of James Joyce’s epic novel “Ulysses,” which takes place entirely on June 16, 1904. This year’s celebration, featuring live music and dramatic readings, will focus on the women of “Ulysses”: characters in the novel and Joyce supporters, scholars, publishers and family members. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles. 6:30 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Lama Surya Das: The Western Buddhist teacher and scholar will discuss and sign his new book, “Buddha Standard Time: Awakening to the Infinite Possibilities of Now.” Diesel Bookstore, 225 26th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 576-9960.

Ryan David: The author of “Good Neighbors” will read and sign his debut crime novel. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Stephen “Steve-O” Glover: The “Jackass” shockmeister will present and sign his new memoir, “Professional Idiot.” Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Eleanor Henderson: The author of “Ten Thousand Saints” will read and sign her debut novel. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Ron Koertge: The poet will read and sign his new collection, “Indigo.” Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 11 a.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Alina Simone: Aloud at Central Library presents the singer-songwriter in conversation with KCRW DJ Eric J. Lawrence on the subject of her new book, “You Must Go and Win.” Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. https://www.aloudla.org.

Jane Smiley: Pulitzer Prize-winning author of, most recently, “Private Life” will read and discuss her work. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. 8 p.m. Free. (310) 440-4500.

John Steppling: Host Michael Silverblatt will interview the playwright on the subject of his play “Fever Dreams.” Bookworm, 89.9 KCRW-FM, 2:30 p.m. https://www.kcrw.com.

FRIDAY

Kelly Coyne & Erik Knutzen: The authors of “Making It: Radical Home Ec for a Post-Consumer World” will discuss and sign their new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Monica Lewis: The entertainer will present and sign her new autobiography, “Hollywood Through My Eyes: The Lives and Loves of a Golden Age Siren.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

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

SATURDAY

Sanjiv Battacharya: The author of “Secrets and Wives: The Hidden World of Mormon Polygamy” will discuss and sign his new book. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 5 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Dodie Bellamy and Sara Wintz: The author (“Pink Steam”) and poet will read their work. The Poetic Research Bureau, 951 Chung King Road, L.A. 7 p.m. $5.

Remembering Leo Politi: A panel discussion celebrating the life and work of the author/illustrator will include Harry Yan, George Yan, Frank Yan and Mary Yan Joe (who were featured in Politi’s children’s book “Moy Moy”), Ellen Daigle, Fabricio Cervantes and author Ann Stalcup (“Leo Politi: Artist Of The Angels”). The Studio for Southern California History, 977 North Hill St., L.A. 11 a.m. Free. (213) 229-8890.

Tongue and Groove: Josefina Lopez, David Kipen, Amy Uyematsu, Xavi Moreno, Luis J. Rodriguez and Simone Gad will read their work at a special Boyle Heights-focused installment of the monthly reading series. Grand Performances at California Plaza, 350 S. Grand Ave., L.A. 8 p.m. Free. (213) 687-2190.