Book events: Ray Bradbury, David Denby and more

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Make your reservations now for Ray Bradbury’s book launch at the Beverly Hills Public Library on Feb. 13. It’s a chance to see the 88-year-old author in person; he often tells stories from his past (about notable encounters -- Walt Disney, NASA) as well as discusses the craft of writing. His latest is a collection of previously unpublished short fiction and poetry, ‘We’ll Always Have Paris.’ Tickets are $10.

David Denby will be in town this week; on Tuesday you can’t catch him at Writers Bloc in conversation with Patt Morrison, because it’s sold out. Let this serve as evidence that literary events do sell out (see, above, Ray Bradbury next week). But take heart, Denby fans: He’ll be reading and signing ‘Snark’ at Vroman’s on Thursday (Feb. 5) at 7 p.m.

If you’ve got time to grab your bicycle and head to downtown Los Angeles at noon on Friday, San Francisco author, book designer and activist Chris Carlson will be leading a salon at Farmlab. Carlson’s new book is ‘Nowtopia: How Pirate Programmers, Outlaw Bicyclists and Vacant-Lot Farmers Are Inventing the Future Today!’ The salon promises discussion of how ‘people are taking back their time and technological know-how from the market and, in small under-the-radar ways, are making life better right now. In doing so, they also set the foundation — technically AND socially — for a genuine movement of liberation from market life.’ Sounds like the kind of thing you’re supposed to ditch work for.

And there’s much more going on this week; see our long list of literary events here.

-- Carolyn Kellogg