Book calendar

Words & Ideas

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich

SUNDAY

Peter Maravelis and Craig Clevenger Two of the contributors to “San Francisco Noir 2” will read and sign copies of the new anthology. Diesel Bookstore, 225 26th St., Santa Monica. 3 p.m. Free. (310) 576-9960.

Walter Mosley The author will read and sign his latest novel, “The Long Fall.” Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 5 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Jeff Smith The author of “The Presidents We Imagine” will present and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 4 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Kathryn Stockett The author of “The Help” will read and sign her new novel. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 6 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

MONDAY

Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson The author will present and sign his latest book, “Face on Your Plate.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

TUESDAY

Bill German The author of “Under Their Thumb” will present and sign his new book about the Rolling Stones. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Carol Leifer and Garry Shandling Writers Bloc presents Leifer, comedian and author of “When You Lie About Your Age, the Terrorists Win,” and stand-up veteran and creator of “The Larry Sanders Show” Shandling. www.writersblocpresents.com. Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills. 7:30 p.m. $20.

Lisa Lutz The author will read and sign her latest book, “Revenge of the Spellmans.” Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

WEDNESDAY

Be the Change A panel discussion organized by the CalArts Community Arts Partnership will feature Mark Gonzalez, Suzanne Lacy, Adolfo V. Nodal and Beehive Collective. REDCAT at Walt Disney Concert Hall, 631 W. 2nd St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 237-2800.

Paul Levine The author will read and sign copies of his latest thriller, “Illegal.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Nandan Nilekani Aloud at Central Library presents the co-chairman of Infosys and author of “Imagining India” in conversation with Vijay Sathe as part of the Aloud Business Forum series. www.aloudbizforum.org. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7:30 p.m. $20. (213) 228-7025.

Jerry Stahl The author will read and sign his new novel, “Pain Killers.” Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

THURSDAY

Heather Armstrong The creator of Dooce.com will present and sign her new book, “It Sucked and Then I Cried.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Erica Dawson The poet will read and discuss her work as part of the Hammer Readings series. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Minal Hajratwala Aloud at Central Library presents the author of “Leaving India: My Family’s Journey From Five Villages to Five Continents” in conversation with Swati Pandey. www.aloudla.org. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025.

David Mason The poet, whose books include “The Buried Houses,” “The Country I Remember” and “Arrivals.” Loyola Marymount University, 1 LMU Drive, L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 338-3018.

Lisa Sweetingham The author of “Chemical Cowboys: The DEA’s Secret Mission to Hunt Down a Notorious Ecstasy Kingpin” will present and sign her new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Franz Wisner The author of “How the World Makes Love” will present and sign his new book. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

FRIDAY

Cati Porter and Kim Calder The poets, authors of “Seven Floors Up” and “Who’s to Say What’s Home,” respectively, will read and discuss their work. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Franz Wisner The author of “How the World Makes Love:

And What It Taught a Jilted Groom” will present and sign his new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

SATURDAY

MYhistoricLA: Preserving Los Angeles Aloud at Central Library presents a panel discussion, moderated by Larry Mantle, and a SurveyLA video screening. www.aloudla.org. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025.

NEXT SUNDAY

Vermin on the Mount The irreverent reading series hosted by author Jim Ruland returns with readings by David Francis, Gary Amdahl and Chiwan Choi. www.vermin.blogs.com. Mountain, 473 Gin Ling Way, L.A. 8 p.m. Free.