Chain Reaction

Many independent bookshops immediately close their doors when a chain bookstore opens in the neighborhood, because the owners can’t imagine surviving alongside the big players.

Now, both chains and independent book retailers are battling for customers. They are enticing the public with musical events, theatrical performances, slide shows, movie nights, activities for children, the ubiquitous cafe, and, of course, presenting authors who discuss every subject from inner healing to international politics.

Can independent bookstores and the chains co-exist? The owners of the struggling Earthling Bookshop in Santa Barbara believe it’s possible if people who care about reading and writing increase their book purchases by just a little.

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Will there be a new generation of opera lovers? Ariane Comstock, author of “A Young Person’s Guide to the Opera” is mounting a campaign to introduce youngsters to opera. She will introduce children to excerpts of the opera “Hansel & Gretel” and sign her book at 6:30 tonight at Adventures for Kids, 3457 Telegraph Road, Ventura.

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Lawrence Block will sign “The Burglar in the Library” at a reception at 6:30 tonight at Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.

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Cancer specialist Dr. Ronald Citron and his wife, chef Kathye Citron, will discuss their new book, “Dr. Citron’s Evolutionary Diet and Cookbook,” at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Barnes & Noble, 4360 E. Main St., Ventura.

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The summertime sale of used books, magazines, records, videos and computer software begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Newbury Park Library, 2331 Borchard Road.

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Local author Bob Carter reflects the universal love of food and travel in his two travel guide/cookbooks, “Food Festivals of Southern California” and “Food Festivals of Northern California,” which detail the astonishing agricultural diversity in this state. Carter will offer food samples and sign at 12:30 p.m. Saturday in Barnes & Noble, 4360 E. Main St., Ventura, and again at 3 p.m. in the Thousand Oaks store, 160 S. Westlake Blvd.

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Children are invited to participate in a poetry writing and illustrating event presented by Young at Art schools of Camarillo and Westlake Village from 1-5 p.m. Saturday at the Oaks Shopping Center, 222 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. Joan Bransfield Graham, author of “Splish Splash,” will tell stories at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the center.

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Heads up, Trekkies. Join English professor Thomas Richards, who taught science-fiction classes at Harvard, at an open discussion and signing of “The Meaning of Star Trek” at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Borders Books, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.

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In Santa Barbara

Don Bradley signs and discusses his novel and soon-to-be-released motion picture, “Angels in a Harsh World,” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Barnes & Noble, 829 State St.

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Chris Moore will sign his new novel, “Island of the Sequined Love Nun,” at 3 p.m. Sunday at Earthling Bookshop, 1137 State St.

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* Frances Halpern and Jon O’Brien are co-hosts of “Beyond Words” at 10 a.m. Sundays on KCLU-FM (88.3), Ventura County’s National Public Radio station.