Book Calendar

Words & Ideas

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich.

TODAY

Gabrielle Bell and Ariel Schrag The authors of “Cecil and Jordan in New York” and “Likewise,” respectively, will present and sign their new graphic novels. Family, 436 N. Fairfax Ave., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 782-9221.

TUESDAY

Mark Arax The author of “West of the West” will read and sign copies of his new book about California. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Andrei Codrescu Aloud at Central Library presents the author of “The Posthuman Dada Guide: Tzara and Lenin Play Chess” in conversation with poet Oana Sanziana Marian. www.aloudla.org. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025.

Conversations on Urban China: Jeffrey Kipnis and Thom Mayne Sylvia Lavin, director of critical studies and MA/PhD programs at UCLA’s Department of Architecture and Urban Design, will moderate a discussion with the two architects. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Ben Greenman The author of “Please Step Back” will read and sign his new novel. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Jamey Hecht and Tim Green The authors of “Limousine, Midnight Blue: Fifty Frames From the Zapruder Film” and “American Fractal,” respectively, will read and discuss their books. Barnes & Noble Superstore, 1201 Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 260-9110.

WEDNESDAY

Conversations on Urban China: Catherine Opie and Doug Aitken Sylvia Lavin will moderate a discussion with the two artists. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Ben Greenman The author of “Please Step Back” will read and sign his new novel-cum-fictional rock biography. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Lewis MacAdams and Leslie Scalapino MacAdams, poet and author of “The Birth of the Cool,” and poet Scalapino (“It’s go in horizontal, Selected Poems 1974-2006”) will read and discuss their work. Otis College of Art and Design, 9045 Lincoln Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 527-6847.

Newer Poets XIV Aloud at Central Library, in association with Beyond Baroque and the Los Angeles Poetry Festival, present an annual reading by emerging L.A.-area poets. This year features readings by Billy Burgos, Peter Eirich, Erica Erdman, Ro Gunetilleke, Cathie Sandstrom and Mary Torregrossa. www.aloudla.org. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025.

David Sedaris The humorist and author, whose latest book is “When You Are Engulfed in Flames,” will discuss his books and share new work. Royce Hall, UCLA, 340 Royce Drive, L.A. 8 p.m. $32-$50. (310) 825-2101.

Amy Stewart The author of “Wicked Plants: A Book of Botanical Atrocities” will present and sign her new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

THURSDAY

Chesa Boudin The author of “Gringo: A Radical Coming of Age in Latin America” will read and sign his new book. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Winifred Gallagher Aloud at Central Library presents the author of “Rapt: Attention and the Focused Life” in conversation with Irene Borger. www.aloudla.org. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025.

Poetry in Motion at Union Station Celebrate National Poetry Month with a rush-hour reading by poets Elena Karina Byrne, Brendan Constantine and Mindy Nettifee. Union Station East Portal, One Gateway Plaza, L.A. 4-6 p.m. Free. (213) 922-2738.

Kris Saknussemm The author of “Zanesville” will present and sign his new book, the eclectic noir thriller “Private Midnight.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

When Johnny Comes Marching Home: Caring for Veterans Zocalo presents a panel discussion moderated by L.A. Times veterans affairs reporter Jia-Rui Chong featuring panelists Jennifer Sinclair, retired Army Maj. Gen. Paul E. Mock and David Webb. www.zocalopublicsquare.org. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

FRIDAY

Michael Lux The author of “Progressive Revolution” will present and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Jeffrey McDaniel The author of “The Endarkenment” will read and sign his new poetry book. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

SATURDAY

A/cute Tokyo Symposium A panoply of academics and professionals will mull architecture and urban design topics unique to the city. Participants include Hitoshi Abe, Jun Aoki, David d’Heilly, Mark Dytham, Jeffrey Inaba, Sylvia Lavin, Jesse Reiser and Yoshiharu Tsukamoto. Held in conjunction with the exhibition “A/cute Tokyo” at UCLA’s Perloff Gallery. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 12:30-4:30 p.m. (310) 443-7000.

Sterling Andrews The author of “Gooseberries” will present and sign her new photography book featuring a cross-section of California’s indie rock underground. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Dale & Melissa Kent The authors of “Tassajara: Dinners and Desserts” will present and sign their new book of recipes from the famed Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 5 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Susan Patron The author of the 2007 Newbery Medal-winning “The Higher Power of Lucky” will present and sign her new book, “Lucky Breaks.” Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 5 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

NEXT SUNDAY

Russell Howze The author of “Stencil Nation: Graffiti, Community, and Art” will present and sign his new book. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.