Words & ideas

MONDAY

William Whitecloud The author of “The Magician’s Way” will discuss and sign his book. Bodhi Tree Bookstore, 8585 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 659-1733.

TUESDAY

David Denby The film critic for the New Yorker will discuss his new book, “Snark,” with Times columnist Patt Morrison. www.writersblocpresents.com. ICM Screening Room at MGM, 10250 Constellation Blvd., Century City. 7:30 p.m. $20.

Joshua Bearman, Kyle Minor and Kathleen Rooney Bearman, Minor (“In the Devil’s Territory”) and Rooney (“Live Nude Girl”) will read and discuss their work. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot Aloud at Central Library presents the author of “The Third Chapter: Passion, Risk and Adventure in the 25 Years After 50” in conversation with Barbara Isenberg. www.aloudla.org. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025.

WEDNESDAY

Explodity: An Evening of Transrational Sound Poetry Contemporary sound poets Christian Bök and Steve McCaffery will be joined by scholar Oleg Minin for an evening of readings in conjunction with the exhibition “Tango with Cows: Book Art of the Russian Avant-Garde, 1910-1917.” Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Drive, L.A. 7 p.m. Reservations required. (310) 440-7300.

David Francis The author will read and discuss his second novel, “Stray Dog Winter.” Otis College of Art and Design, 9045 Lincoln Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 527-6847.

Home Grown Hatred: Anger and Alienation in America A panel featuring Mark Potok of the Southern Poverty Law Center, editor of its Intelligence Report and blog Hatewatch, along with journalist and author Chris Hedges(“American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America”). Ian Masters, host of KPFK’s “Background Briefing,” will moderate. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Reynold Levy The president of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and author of “Yours for the Asking: An Indispensable Guide to Fundraising and Management” will discuss and sign his book and give advice for nonprofit leaders on the logistics of foundation giving. REDCAT at Walt Disney Concert Hall, 631 W. 2nd St., L.A. 8:30 p.m. $5-$10; CalArts students free. (213) 237-2800.

Terri Cheney The author of “Manic: A Memoir” will read and sign her new book. Diesel Bookstore, 225 26th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 576-9960.

Neil Degrasse Tyson Aloud at Central Library presents the Hayden Planetarium director and author of “The Pluto Files: The Rise & Fall of America’s Favorite Planet” in conversation with Griffith Observatory curator Dr. Laura Danly. www.aloudla.org. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025.

THURSDAY

An Evening of New Fiction with John Haskell, Eileen Myles and Darcey Steinke The genre-busting writers will read and discuss their work. REDCAT at Walt Disney Concert Hall, 631 W. 2nd St., L.A. $5-$10; CalArts students free. (213) 237-2800.

David Denby The author of “Snark” will present and sign his new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Steven D. Farmer The author of “Earth Magic: Ancient Shamanic Wisdom for Healing Yourself, Others and the Planet” will present and sign his new book. Bodhi Tree Bookstore, 8585 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood. Free. (310) 659-1733.

Dacher Keltner Aloud at Central Library presents the author of “Born to Be Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life” in conversation with USC Professor of Psychology Antoine Bechara. www.aloudla.org. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025.

George Mastras A launch party for the author’s new novel, “Fidali’s Way.” Diesel Bookstore, 225 26th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 576-9960.

FRIDAY

10th Annual Nordic Spirit Symposium This two-day symposium on Iceland’s literary heritage and culture will feature lectures, performances, music and food. Samuelson Chapel, California Lutheran University, 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. 5:30 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m. Various events $10-$40; free for students. (818) 788-4552.

Cristy C. Road The author of “Bad Habits: A Love Story” will read and sign her new book. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Susan Wisehart The author of “Soul Visioning” will present and sign her new book. Bodhi Tree Bookstore, 8585 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 659-1733.

SATURDAY

An Evening with Edward Albee The Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright will discuss his work. Royce Hall, UCLA, 340 Royce Drive, L.A. 8 p.m. $15-$40. (310) 825-2101.

Chris Blatchford The author of “The Black Hand: The Bloody Rise and Redemption of ‘Boxer’ Enriquez, a Mexican Mob Killer” will present and sign his new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 4 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Chris Carlsson The author of “Nowtopia” will present and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Tippi Hedren The actress and author of “The Cats of Shambala” will discuss both her film work and the Shambala Preserve she founded in Acton, Calif. Women’s Club of Hollywood, 1749 N. La Brea Ave., Hollywood. 11:15 a.m. $35; includes lunch. (323) 876-8383.

Missy Suicide The founder of the alterna-pinup website will present and sign her new book, “Suicide Girls.” La Luz de Jesus Gallery, 4633 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. 6 p.m. Free. (323) 666-7667.

Pam Ward The author of “Bad Girls Burn Slow” will read and sign her second novel. Metropolis Books, 440 S. Main. St., Los Angeles. 5 p.m. Free. (213) 612-0174.

WriteGirl Girls and their mentors from the local nonprofit writing workshop will read from the new anthology “Listen to Me: Shared Secrets From WriteGirl.” Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 5 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

NEXT SUNDAY

Toby Barlow The author of “Sharp Teeth” will present and sign his debut novel. Diesel Bookstore, 225 26th St., L.A. 3 p.m. Free. (310) 576-9960.

Rhapsodomancy Reading Series Novelists Paul Lisicky and Gayle Brandeis, along with poets Lynne Thompson and Carine Topal, will read their work as part of the latest installment of the monthly reading series. www.rhapsodomancy.org. Good Luck Bar, 1514 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz. 7:30 p.m. $3. (213) 503-1729.