Book calendar events for the week of May 8, 2011

Words & Ideas

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich.

SUNDAY

Amelia Saltsman: The author of “The Santa Monica Farmers’ Market Cookbook: Seasonal Foods, Simple Recipes and Stories from the Market and Farm” will demonstrate recipes from her cookbook. Book signing to follow. Plaza Store at LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 2 p.m. Free. (323) 857-6000.

MONDAY

William Deresiewicz: The author of “A Jane Austen Education: How Six Novels Taught Me About Love, Friendship and the Things That Really Matter” will discuss and sign his new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Lambda Literary Awards Finalists Group Reading: Finalists for the 23rd annual Lambda Literary Awards will read their work: Michael Gregg Michaud, Michael Klein, Chris Corkum, Stuart Biegel, Jallen Rix and Audrey Bilger & Leigh Stuart. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

McSweeney’s Quarterly #37 Release Party: Contributors to the new issue, Kevin Moffett, Edan Lepucki and Laraine Newman, will read their work; musical guest Tristen will perform. 826LA West, 685 Venice Blvd., Venice. 8 p.m. $26. (310) 305-8418.

Simply Shakespeare: The Merry Wives of Windsor: A star-studded cast will read the Bard’s durable comedy. Participants include Reba McEntire, Christina Applegate, Kenneth Branagh, Faith Hill, Eric Idle, Arte Johnson, Eugene Levy, Tim McGraw, William Shatner, Martin Short, Tracey Ullman, Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks. Royce Hall at UCLA, 340 Royce Drive, L.A. 8 p.m. $95-$175. (310) 825-2101.

TUESDAY

Demetri Martin: The host of Comedy Central’s “Important Things With Demetri Martin” will present and sign his new book, “This Is a Book.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Amy Stewart: The author of “Wicked Bugs: The Louse that Conquered Napoleon’s Army and Other Diabolical Insects” will present and sign her new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

WEDNESDAY

Emma Forrest: The author of “Your Voice in My Head: A Memoir” will read and sign her new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

The Rattling Wall Release Party: Contributors to the premiere issue of the L.A.-based literary magazine will read their work: Joseph Mattson, Michelle Meyering, James Greer, Neal Pollack, Allison Burnett, Stacey Waite, Eloise Klein Healy, Samantha Dunn, Matthew Zapruder and Lou Mathews. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Danzy Senna: The author will read and sign her new book, “You Are Free: Stories.” Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Catherynne M. Valente: The author will read and sign her new novel for middle grade readers, “The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making.” Skylight Books, 818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

THURSDAY

Patrick deWitt: The author will read and sign his new novel, “The Sisters Brothers.” Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Diane Farr: The author of “Kissing Outside the Lines: A True Story of Love and Race and Happily Ever After” will discuss and sign her new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

James Longenbach: The poet (“The Iron Key”) and critic (“The Art of the Poetic Line”) will read his work. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Eileen Myles: Host Michael Silverblatt will interview the author of “Inferno: A Poet’s Novel.” Bookworm, 89.9 KCRW-FM, 2:30 p.m. https://www.kcrw.com.

Joe Palca: The co-author of “Annoying: The Science of What Bugs Us” will discuss and sign his new book. Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. 7:30 p.m. Free with museum admission. (626) 405-2100.

Marjorie Sandor: The author of “The Late Interiors: A Life Under Construction” will read and sign her new memoir. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Gary Shteyngart: Aloud at Central Library presents the author of “Super Sad True Love Story” in conversation with Justin Veach. A cocktail reception with the author follows program at 8:15 p.m. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Discussion and signing full; standby only. Cocktail reception $25. (213) 228-7025. https://www.aloudla.org.

Isaiah Washington: The actor will present and sign his new book, “A Man From Another Land: How Finding My Roots Changed My Life.” Eso Won Books, 4331 Degnan Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 290-1048.

Betty White: Writers Bloc presents the actress in conversation with Carl Reiner on the subject of White’s new book, “If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won’t).” Writers Guild Theatre, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills. 7:30 p.m. $20 (sold out). https://www.writersblocpresents.com.

FRIDAY

Lawrence Block: The author will read and sign his latest novel, “A Drop of the Hard Stuff.” Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Rikki Ducornet: The author will read and sign her new novel, “Netsuke.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Sikivu Hutchinson: The author of “Moral Combat: Black Atheists, Gender Politics and the Values Wars” will discuss and sign her new book. Eso Won Books, 4331 Degnan Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 290-1048.

SATURDAY

Jesse James: The television personality and owner of West Coast Choppers will present and sign his new memoir, “American Outlaw.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 6 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

ZYZZYVA Spring Celebration: Paula Priamos and Vanessa Hua, contributors to the West Coast-focused literary magazine, will read their work. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 5 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

NEXT SUNDAY

Betty White: The Emmy-winning actress will present and sign her new book, “If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won’t).” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 2 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.