Words & Ideas

Words & Ideas

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich.

SUNDAY

Philip Fradkin: The author of “Everett Ruess: His Short Life, Mysterious Death and Astonishing Afterlife” will discuss and sign his new book as part of the Autry’s Go West reading series. Autry National Center, 4700 Western Heritage Way, L.A. 2 p.m. Free with museum admission. (323) 667-2000.

Patrick Melton, Marcus Dunstan and Stephen Romano: The authors of “Black Light” will read and sign their new thriller. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 4 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

MONDAY

Mark Z. Danielewski: The Fifty Year Sword: A dramatic reading of the author’s novella, featuring the shadow theater work of Christine Marie and ensemble. REDCAT at Walt Disney Concert Hall, 631 W. 2nd St., L.A. 8:30 p.m. $10-$20. (213) 237-2800.

TUESDAY

Sam Benjamin: The author of “American Gangbang: A Love Story” will discuss and sign his new memoir. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Rebecca Skloot: The science writer and author of “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” will discuss and sign her first book. Royce Hall at UCLA, 340 Royce Drive, L.A. 8 p.m. $20. (310) 825-2101.

Victor Villaseñor: The author of “Lion Eyes” will discuss and sign his new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Young Adult Lit Panel: Authors Blake Nelson, Rachel Reilich, Ned Vizzini and Dana Goodyear will discuss their work. USC University Club, 3800 S Figueroa St., Los Angeles. 4 p.m. Free. mpw@college.usc.edu.

WEDNESDAY

Hollywood Left and Right: Aloud at Central Library presents a panel discussion with author Steven J. Ross (“Hollywood Left and Right: How Movie Stars Shaped American Politics”), actor Mike Farrell (“M*A*S*H”) and film critic Roger L. Simon (“Turning Right at Hollywood and Vine: The Perils of Coming Out Conservative”); moderated by film critic Ella Taylor. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. https://www.aloudla.org.

Libros Schmibros: Dia de Los Muertos: The Boyle Heights-based bookstore will host a reading of James Joyce’s “Clay” and Ernest Hemingway’s “Soldier’s Home” and a children’s storytime, all in celebration of the Day of the Dead. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. noon. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Libros Schmibros: Dia de Los Muertos: The Boyle Heights-based bookstore will host “Orale!: An Evening of Boyle Heights Stories.” Breed Street Shul, 247 N. Breed St., L.A. 8 p.m. Free. (323) 302-9408. librosschmibros.wordpress.com.

Suzanne Lloyd: The author of “Harold Lloyd’s Hollywood Nudes in 3D!” will present and sign her new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Night and the City: L.A. Noir in Poetry, Fiction and Film: Mood East: Poets Among the Gold Lanterns and Red Dragon Décor: A poetry reading with Beth Ruscio, Cece Peri, Angela Penaredondo, Marcellus and Marilyn Robertson. Good Luck Bar, 1514 N. Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz. 7 p.m. (323) 255-5223. https://www.lapoetryfestival.org.

Susan Orlean: The author will discuss and sign her new book, “Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend.” USC University Club, 3800 S Figueroa St., Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Free. mpw@college.usc.edu.

Sandra Spanier: The editor of “The Letters of Ernest Hemingway: Volume 1, 1907-1922” will discuss and sign the new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Monique Truong: The author of the novels “Bitter in the Mouth” and “The Book of Salt” will read and discuss her work. Otis College of Art and Design, 9045 Lincoln Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 665-6892.

THURSDAY

Adam Gopnik: The New Yorker writer will discuss his new book, “The Table Comes First: Family, France and the Meaning of Food” with director Ed Zwick. Track 16 Gallery, Bergamot Station 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica. 8 p.m. $20-$95. https://www.livetalksla.org.

Karl Marlantes: Aloud at Central Library presents the author of the novel “Matterhorn” in conversation with Times staff writer Thomas Curwen on the subject of Marlantes’ new nonfiction book, “What It’s Like to Go to War.” Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. https://www.aloudla.org.

Night and the City: L.A. Noir in Poetry, Fiction and Film: A Touch of Naomi: Mystery author Naomi Hirahara (“Snakeskin Shamisen”) will discuss and sign her books. With musical guests Doc & Renee. South Pasadena Public Library, 1115 El Centro St., South Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 403-7350. https://www.lapoetryfestival.org.

Stefanie Powers: The actress will present and sign her new memoir, “One from the Hart.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Martha Stewart: The home and garden maven will present and sign her new book, “Martha’s Entertaining: A Year of Celebrations.” Williams-Sonoma, 339 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills. 10:30 a.m. Free. (310) 274-9127.

Haley Tanner: The author of “Vaclav and Lena” will read and sign her debut novel. Temple Beth David, 9677 E. Longden Ave., Temple City. 7:30 p.m. Free. (626) 445-0810.

Monique Troung: The author of “Bitter in the Mouth” will read and sign her recent novel. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

FRIDAY

Sam Benjamin: The author of “American Gangbang: A Love Story” will discuss and sign his new memoir. Human Resources, 410 Cottage Home St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 290-4752.

Roméo Dallaire: The former force commander of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda and author of “Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda” and “They Fight Like Soldiers, They Die Like Children: The Global Quest to Eradicate the Use of Child Soldiers” will give a lecture on his experiences. USC Bovard Auditorium, 3551 Trousdale Parkway, L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 740-2167.

Clint Eastwood: TimesTalks presents a discussion with the director on the subject of his latest film, “J. Edgar,” along with actors Leonard DiCaprio, Armie Hammer and Naomi Watts and screenwriter Dustin Lance Black; moderated by New York Times writer Charles McGrath. Screening of the film precedes discussion. Bing Theater at LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. $20-$25 (sold out). (323) 857-6010.

Mary McDonald, Martyn Lawrence-Bullard and Kathryn Ireland: The authors of “Mary McDonald Interiors: The Allure of Style,” “Martyn Lawrence-Bullard: Live, Love and Decorate” and “Summers in France” will present and sign their respective new books. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

C.W. Moss: The cartoonist will present and sign his new book, “Unicorn Being a Jerk.” Meltdown Comics, 7522 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 851-7223.

Night and the City: L.A. Noir in Poetry, Fiction and Film: A Night with James Ellroy: The author (“Blood’s a Rover”) will discuss and sign his books. Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice. 9 p.m. $15. (310) 822-3006. https://www.lapoetryfestival.org.

Night and the City: L.A. Noir in Poetry, Fiction and Film: Sundrenched Dark: Raymond Chandler and His Los Angeles Legacy: A panel discussion with Judith Freeman, Gary Phillips and Dick Lochte; moderated by Richard Modiano. Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice. 7 p.m. $6-$10. (310) 822-3006. https://www.lapoetryfestival.org.

Brandi Lynn Ryder: The author of “In Malice, Quite Close” will read and sign her new novel. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Chad L. Williams: The author of “Torchbearers of Democracy: African American Soldiers in the World War I Era” will discuss and sign his recent book. Eso Won Books, 4331 Degnan Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 290-1048.

Martin Woodside and Boris Dralyuk: The poets will discuss and sign their respective new translations, “Of Gentle Wolves: An Anthology of Romanian Poetry” and Leo Tolstoy’s “How Much Land Does a Man Need?” Small World Books, 1407 Ocean Front Walk, Venice. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 399-2360.

SATURDAY

Hillary Gravendyk and Claudia Rankine: The poets will read and discuss their work. The Poetic Research Bureau, 3706 San Fernando Blvd, Glendale. 7 p.m. Free.

Douglas Kearney, Brendan Constantine and Elizabeth Iannaci: The poets will read and discuss their work. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 3 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Stephen Mitchell: The author will present and sign his new translation of “The Iliad.” Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 4 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Butch Walker: The musician/producer will present and sign his new memoir, “Drinking with Strangers: Music Lessons from a Teenage Bullet Belt.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.