Book calendar events for the week of July 17, 2011

Words & Ideas

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich.

SUNDAY

Paul Malmont: The author of “The Astounding, the Amazing and the Unknown” will read and sign his new novel. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 4 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

MONDAY

Michelle Ray: The author of “Falling for Hamlet” will read and sign her debut novel. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

TUESDAY

Colleen Morton Busch and Stephen H. Pyne: Aloud at Central Library presents a conversation with Busch, a Zen student and author (“Fire Monks: Zen Mind Meets Wildfire at the Gates of Tassajara”), and Pyne, a wildfire expert and author (“Fire in America: A Cultural History of Wildland and Rural Fire”), moderated by USC professor of history William Deverell. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. https://www.aloudla.org.

Priscilla Gilman: The author of “The Anti-Romantic Child: A Story of Unexpected Joy” will discuss and sign her new memoir. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

John Prendergast: Zócalo presents a discussion and signing with the co-author of “Unlikely Brothers: Our Story of Adventure, Loss and Redemption.” Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000. https://www.zocalopublicsquare.org.

Kwei Quartey: The author of “Children of the Street: An Inspector Darko Dawson Mystery” will read and sign his new thriller. Eso Won Books, 4331 Degnan Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 290-1048.

WEDNESDAY

William Rempel: The veteran Times investigative reporter will discuss and sign his new book, “At the Devil’s Table: The Untold Story of the Insider Who Brought Down the Cali Cartel.” Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Corey Taylor: The Slipknot frontman will present and sign his new book, “The Seven Deadly Sins: Settling the Argument Between Born Bad and Damaged Good.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

THURSDAY

Leo Braudy: Aloud at Central Library presents the author of “The Hollywood Sign: Fantasy and Reality of an American Icon” in conversation with LA Observed founding editor Kevin Roderick. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. https://www.aloudla.org.

Ying Ying Chang: The author of “The Woman Who Could Not Forget: Iris Chang Before and Beyond ‘The Rape of Nanking’” will discuss and sign her new book about her late daughter. Pacific Asia Museum, 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena. 8 p.m. Free. (626) 449-2742.

Will Kaufman: The author of “Woody Guthrie, American Radical” will discuss and sign his new biography. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Grace Krilanovich: The author will read and sign her debut novel, “The Orange Eats Creeps,” as part of the Written in California reading series. Pasadena Museum of California Art, 490 E. Union St., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 568-3665.

Dora Malech: Host Michael Silverblatt will interview the poet on the subject of her new collection, “Say So.” Bookworm, 89.9 KCRW-FM, 2:30 p.m. https://www.kcrw.com.

Samuel Park: The author of “This Burns My Heart” will read and sign his new novel. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Slake Issue 3 Group Reading: Contributors to the new issue of the L.A.-based literary magazine will read their work: Hillel Aron, Lucy Engleman, James Greer, Ernest Hardy, Paul Sbrizzi and John Waldman. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

FRIDAY

Dean Buonomano: The author of “Brain Bugs: How the Brain’s Flaws Shape Our Lives” will discuss and sign his new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

David Del Valle: The author of “Lost Horizons Beneath the Hollywood Sign” will discuss and sign his recent book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

SATURDAY

Brianna Karp: The author of “The Girl’s Guide to Homelessness” will read and sign her new memoir. Apostrophe Books, 4712 E. 2nd St., Long Beach. 2 p.m. Free. (526) 438-7950.

Joyce Raskin: The author of “My Misadventures as a Teenage Rock Star” will read and sign her new book, and will be joined by musical guest Mikey Sabatella. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 3 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

NEXT SUNDAY

Sherri and Marc Zicree: Sherri Zicree, author of “Asked And Answered: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” and Marc Zicree, author of “The Twilight Zone Companion,” will discuss the similarities and differences of the two series. Book signing to follow. Mystery & Imagination Bookshop, 238 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. 1 p.m. Free. (818) 545-0121.