Book calendar events for the week of May 1, 2011

Words & Ideas

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich.

SUNDAY

Mike Sacks: The author of “Your Wildest Dreams, Within Reason” will present and sign his new book. Diesel Bookstore, 225 26th St., L.A. 3 p.m. Free. (310) 576-9960.

MONDAY

Francine Prose and Mark Richard: The authors will discuss and sign their new books, “My New American Life,” and “House of Prayer No. 2: A Writer’s Journey Home,” respectively. MGM Screening Room, 10250 Constellation Blvd., Century City. 7:30 p.m. $20. https://www.writersblocpresents.com.

Sister Souljah: The author of “The Coldest Winter Ever” will read and sign her new book, “Midnight and the Meaning of Love.” Eso Won Books, 4331 Degnan Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 290-1048.

Writers Read LA: Los Angeles-based writers Dorothy Barresi, Katherine Haake, Karen Kevorkian and Rod Val Moore will read their work. Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica. 6:30 p.m. Free. (310) 458-2257.

TUESDAY

The Dalai Lama: His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, will give a lecture, “Sacred Ethics, Human Values and Society” at the USC Galen Center, which will be followed by a Q&A; he will later appear on a panel, “Secular Ethics: Origins, Elements and their Function in Society,” with USC Professors Antonio Damasio and Gideon Yaffe and moderator Pico Iyer in Bovard Auditorium. USC Campus, 3800 S Figueroa St., Los Angeles. Lecture 9:30-11 a.m., panel 1:45 - 3:30 p.m. $50-$125. (213) 740-6110. https://dalailama.usc.edu.

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

James Lasdun: The author and poet will read and sign his new collection of stories, “It’s Beginning to Hurt.” Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Mike Sacks: The author of “Your Wildest Dreams, Within Reason” will read and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

WEDNESDAY

Larry Flynt & David Eisenbach: The Hustler publisher will be joined by Eisenbach, professor of history at Columbia University, for a discussion and signing of their new book, “One Nation Under Sex: How the Private Lives of Presidents, First Ladies and Their Lovers Changed the Course of American History.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf: The Hammer Museum and UCLA Live present the imam, author and activist, whose books include “What’s Right with Islam: A New Vision for Muslims and the West” and “Islam: A Search for Meaning,” in conversation with author Reza Aslan. Royce Hall at UCLA, 340 Royce Drive, L.A. 8 p.m. Free; tickets available at the museum or Royce Hall box office. (310) 825-2101.

John Waters: The filmmaker and author of, most recently, “Role Models,” will discuss his work. Largo at the Coronet, 366 N. La Cienega Blvd., L.A. 8 p.m. $25-$35. (310) 855-0350.

THURSDAY

Diane Ackerman: Host Michael Silverblatt will interview the author of “One Hundred Names for Love: a Stroke, a Marriage and the Language of Healing.” Bookworm, 89.9 KCRW-FM, 2:30 p.m. https://www.kcrw.com.

Geoff Dyer: The author will read and sign his new book, “Otherwise Known as the Human Condition: Selected Essays and Reviews, 1989-2010.” Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Jennifer Grant: The author of “Good Stuff: A Reminiscence of My Father, Cary Grant” will present and sign her new memoir. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Eamon Grennan: The poet, whose eight collections include “Matter of Fact,” “Still Life with Waterfall” and, most recently, “Out of Sight,” will read and discuss his work. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

FRIDAY

Adam Chester: The author of “S’Mother: The Story of a Man, His Mom and the Thousands of Altogether Insane Letters She’s Mailed Him” will present and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Jean Kwok: The author of “Girl in Translation” will read and sign her new novel. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Shirley MacLaine: The actress, activist and author will discuss her career and her latest book, “I’m Over All That: And Other Confessions.” Valley Performing Arts Center at California State University, Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge. 8 p.m. $15-$55. (818) 677-8800.

SATURDAY

Sloane Crosley: The author of “How Did You Get This Number” will read and sign the paperback release of her book of essays. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 5 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Kara DioGuardi: The former American Idol judge will present and sign her new memoir, “A Helluva High Note: Surviving Life, Love and American Idol.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. Noon. Free. (310) 659-3110.