Book calendar

Words & Ideas

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich.

MONDAY

Robert Lacey: The author of “Inside the Kingdom: Kings, Clerics, Modernists, Terrorists and the Struggle for Saudi Arabia” will present and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Sarah Morris and Richard Massey: The multimedia artist and the graphic designer will discuss their work as part of the Friends of Friends conversation series. SCI-Arc, 960 E. 3rd St., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (213) 613-2200.

Miriam Pawel: The author of “The Union of Their Dreams: Power, Hope and Struggle in Cesar Chavez’s Farm Worker Movement” will present and sign her new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Writing for Stage and Screen: TV/Playwriting: A panel discussion featuring television writers Michael Price (“The Simpsons”), Julie Hebert (“ER”) and Alexander Woo (“True Blood”); moderated by Brighde Mullins, director of the Master of Professional Writing Program at USC. Intellectual Commons, Doheny Memorial Library at USC, 3550 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Free; RSVP to mpw@college.usc.edu.

TUESDAY

An Evening With Vincent Bugliosi: The attorney, best known as prosecutor for the Charles Manson case, will discuss and sign his books, which include “Helter Skelter,” “Reclaiming History” and “The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder.” Glendale Public Library, 222 E. Harvard St., Glendale. 7 p.m. Free. (818) 548-2042.

Bill Boyarsky: The 30-year veteran journalist with the Los Angeles Times will present and sign “Inventing LA: The Chandlers and Their Times,” his companion book to the documentary film of the same name. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

James Bradley: Aloud at Central Library presents the author of “The Imperial Cruise: A Secret History of Empire and War” in conversation with USC history professor Roger Dingman. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. www.aloudla.org.

Life After Shopping: The discussion, part of the Hammer Forum series, will feature Dr. Benjamin Barber (“Consumed: How Markets Corrupt Children, Infantilize Adults and Swallow Citizens Whole”), consumer activists Reverend Billy and Savitri D and moderator Ian Masters, host of KPFK’s “Background Briefing.” Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Marisela Trevino Orta: USC’s Master of Professional Writing Program presents the PEN Center Literary Award-winning playwright of “Braided Sorrow” in a discussion of her work. Waite Phillips Hall at USC, 3470 Trousdale Parkway, L.A. 8 p.m. Free. (212) 740-3252.

Matthew Rowland: The author of “King Me” will read and sign his debut novel. Venice-Abbott Kinney Memorial Public Library, 501 S. Venice Blvd., Venice. 6:30 p.m. Free. (310) 821-1769.

Romney Steele: The author of “My Nepenthe: Bohemian Tales of Food, Family and Big Sur” will present and sign her new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

WEDNESDAY

Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller: The legendary songwriting duo, who penned such hits as “Hound Dog,” “Standy by Me” and “Yakety Yak,” will present and sign their new book, “Hound Dog: The Leiber and Stoller Autobiography.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

THURSDAY

David Bianculli: The author of “Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of ‘The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour’” will discuss and sign his new book. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. $5; members free. (310) 440-4500.

Susan Griffin: Aloud at Central Library presents the author of “A Chorus of Stones: A Private Life of War” in conversation with Aloud curator Louise Steinman on the subject of Griffin’s new book, “Wrestling With the Angel of Democracy: On Being an American Citizen.” Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. www.aloudla.org.

Rachel Kushner: The author of “Telex From Cuba” will discuss and sign her debut novel at a meeting of Diane Leslie’s Book Group. Diesel Bookstore, 225 26th St., L.A. 5 p.m. $20. (310) 576-9960.

Dan Mirvish: The co-mastermind behind the faux pundit Max Eisenstadt will present and sign his new book, “I Am Martin Eisenstadt: One Man’s (Wildly Inappropriate) Adventures with the Last Republicans.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Deanne Stillman: The author of “Mustang: The Saga of the Wild Horse in the American West” and “Twentynine Palms: A True Story of Murder, Marines and the Mojave” will discuss and sign her books. G2 Gallery, 1503 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 452-2842.

William S. Burroughs and the 50th Anniversary of Naked Lunch: A three-day celebration of the iconoclastic novel and its author will feature a discussion on Thursday, a film screening on Friday and a marathon reading of Naked Lunch on Saturday. Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice. Thu.-Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., noon. $5-$7 each day. (310) 822-3006.

FRIDAY

Leslie Caron: The legendary actress (“Gigi,” “An American in Paris”) will present and sign her new autobiography, “Thank Heaven.” All Saints Episcopal Church, 132 N. Euclid Ave., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320. www.vromansbookstore.com.

SATURDAY

Kelly Carlin-McCall: The daughter of George Carlin will present and sign the late comedian’s memoir, “Last Words.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 5 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Leslie Caron: The actress will present and sign her new book, “Thank Heaven: A Memoir.” Borders Books & Music, 1360 Westwood Blvd., Westwood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 475-3444.

Machine Project Book Launch: Performances, readings and games will mark the publication of the book, “Machine Project: A Field Guide to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art,” documenting the community arts organization’s one-day takeover of the museum last year. LACMA West, fifth floor. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 483-8761.

Robert Spector: The author will present and sign “The Mom and Pop Store: How the Unsung Heroes of the American Economy Are Surviving and Thriving” at the site of the only L.A. business he featured in his new book. Galco’s Soda Pop Stop, 5702 York Blvd., L.A. Noon. Free. (323) 255-7115.

Words With a Purpose Writer’s Collective: Poetry readings by Sung Yi, Daniel Choi, Olga García Echeverría, Liz González, Reina Alejandra Prado and Frankie Salinas, Korean drummers and an art raffle. The event that will benefit the collective’s adult education classes. Koreatown Immigrant Worker’s Alliance Cultural Education Center, 3471 8th St., L.A. 7:30 p.m. $7. (213) 738-9050.

NEXT SUNDAY

Black Clock Issue 11 Launch: Contributors to the L.A. literary magazine Rob Roberge, Chris Abani, Veronica Gonzalez and Michaele Simmering will read their work from the latest issue. Museum of Contemporary Art, 250 S. Grand Ave., L.A. 4 p.m. Free. (213) 621-1745. www.blackclock.org.

Robert Fate and Bruce Cook: The authors of crime noir novels “Baby Shark” and “Philippine Fever,” respectively, will read and sign their books. Stories, 1716 Sunset Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 413-3733.