Words & Ideas

Words & Ideas

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich.

SUNDAY

Sean Wilentz: The author of “ Bob Dylan in America” will present and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 5 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

MONDAY

Michael Cunningham: The author will read and sign his new novel, “By Nightfall.” Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Rebecca McClanahan: The author of “Deep Light: New and Selected Poems 1987-2007” and “The Riddle Song and Other Rememberings” will read and discuss her work. Waite-Phillips Hall B27, USC Campus, 3470 Trousdale Parkway, L.A. 7 p.m. RSVP to mpw@college.usc.edu.

Rachel Shukert: The author of “Everything Is Going to Be Great: An Underfunded and Overexposed European Grand Tour” will present and sign her new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

TUESDAY

Michael Cunningham: Aloud at Central Library presents the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “The Hours” in conversation with Tony Valenzuela on the subject of Cunningham’s new novel, “By Nightfall.” Followed by a cocktail reception with the author, as part of the Library Foundation’s Young Literati organization at 8:15 p.m. at Cafe Pinot, 700 W. 5th Ave., L.A. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Aloud program free; cocktail reception $25 for members of Young Literati; $200 for non-members. (213) 228-7025. https://www.aloudla.org.

Modern Art in Los Angeles: A Conversation with Frederic Tuten and Steve Martin: Novelist Tuten and actor and author Martin will read and discuss their new books, “Self Portraits: Fictions” and “An Object of Beauty,” respectively. Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Drive, L.A. 7 p.m. Free; sold out. (310) 440-7300.

Susan Straight: The author will read and sign her new novel, “Take One Candle Light a Room.” Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

WEDNESDAY

Vanessa Davis: The author of “Make Me a Woman” will present and sign her new graphic novel. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Bruce Kimmel: The author of “‘There’s Mel, There’s Woody and There’s You’: My Life in the Slow Lane” will present and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Megan McArdle: Zocalo presents a discussion with the Atlantic staff writer and New America Foundation fellow. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000. https://www.zocalopublicsquare.org.

THURSDAY

Brad Lemack: The author of “The New Business of Acting: How to Build a Career in a Changing Landscape” will present and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Joseph O’Neill: Aloud at Central Library presents the PEN/Faulkner Award-winning author of “Netherland” in conversation with David Kipen on the subject of O’Neill’s new memoir, “Blood-Dark Track: A Family History.” Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. https://www.aloudla.org.

Charles Yu: Host Michael Silverblatt will interview the author of “How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe.” Bookworm, 89.9 KCRW-FM, 2:30 p.m. https://www.kcrw.com.

FRIDAY

Mark Christensen: The author of “Acid Christ: Ken Kesey, LSD and the Politics of Ecstasy” will present and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

What Books Press Group Reading: Authors Gail Wronsky (“So Quick Bright Things”), Chuck Rosenthal (“Coyote O’Donohughe’s History of Texas”), Alicia Partnoy (translator, “So Quick Bright Things”), Ramon Garcia (“Other Countries”) and Gronk (“A Giant Claw”) will read and sign their new books, recently published by the indie press. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

SATURDAY

Nina LaCour: The author of “Hold Still” will read and sign her debut YA novel. Diesel Bookstore, 225 26th St., L.A. 3 p.m. Free. (310) 576-9960.