A forum for discussing books will be...

A forum for discussing books will be offered by UC Irvine Extension beginning Monday evening.

“Literary Salon,” a 10-week course modeled after the artistic salons of Europe and reading groups in the United States, will include reading and discussing works of fiction, nonfiction and poetry in an informal group.

Greg Bills, a graduate of UCI’s graduate Program in Writing and the author of “Consider This Home” and the forthcoming “Trespassing Angels,” will lead the class, which will meet at 7 p.m. in Room 105 of Social Sciences Laboratory on campus. Registration fee: $200.

Also this week:

* Martha Marino, author of “Asian Adventure: Amusing Tales From Thailand and China,” will read and sign at 1 p.m. today at Different Drummer Books, 1294 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach.

* Don Bradley, author of “Freemasonry in the 21st Century” and “Angels in a Harsh World,” will speak at 2 p.m. today at Barnes & Noble in Fashion Island, 953 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach.

* Eva Krutein, author of “Eva’s War: A True Story of Survival,” will speak at the meeting of the Laguna Beach chapter of the American Assn. of University Women at 7:15 p.m. Monday in the community room of Wells Fargo Bank, 260 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach.

* William Gibson, whose 1984 debut novel, “Neuromancer,” is considered one of the best in the cyberpunk fiction genre, will speak at 8 p.m. Tuesday Chapman University, 333 N. Glassell St., Orange. General admission: $5. Ticket information: (714) 997-6812.

* Caron Andregg, author of “Dangerous Curves” and “Pavlov’s Mistress,” will read at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Alta Coffee House & Roasting Co., 506 31st St., Newport Beach.

* Former professional surfing champion and Quiksilver co-founder Jeff Hakman, the subject of Phil Jarratt’s “Mr. Sunset: The Jeff Hakman Story,” will sign with the author at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Borders Books and Music, 25222 El Paseo, Mission Viejo. Hakman and Jarratt also will sign at 7 p.m. Thursday at Barnes & Noble in the Huntington Beach Mall, 7777 Edinger Ave.

* The book discussion group at the Newport Beach Public Library will discuss Anne Tyler’s “Ladder of Years” at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in the library, 1000 Avocado Ave.

* David Guterson, author of “Snow Falling on Cedars” and a winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award for fiction, will read and sign at 2:30 p.m. Thursday in the University Center’s Titan Theater at Cal State Fullerton, 800 N. State College Blvd.

* Terry Hathaway, a teacher of consciousness and awareness techniques, will discuss “How to Break the Rules and Get Away With It” and sign copies of his books, “Discovering Your Rules & Regulations” and “Flying on the Winds of Change,” at 7 p.m. Friday at Borders Books and Music, 429 Associated Road, Brea.

* The Friends of the Fullerton Public Library will hold a book sale 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 1-4 p.m. April 13 at the library, 353 W. Commonwealth Ave.