People of the Book Fest Opens With Screenwriter

The third annual People of the Book festival kicks off today with author-screenwriter Ted Berkman, who recently published his memoir “Around the World in 80 Years.” The festival, which continues through Nov. 21, will also feature such authors as Nathan Englander, Janet Fitch, Alan Dershowitz and Gina Nihai.

The festival also offers panel discussions, children’s programs and a staged musical reading at three locations. Events will be held at the West Valley Jewish Community Center in West Hills, the Westside Jewish Community Center in Los Angeles and the Valley Cities Jewish Community Center in Sherman Oaks. Call (818) 464-3300 for the full schedule and other information.

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Former Sen. John Glenn will sign copies of his autobiography, “John Glenn: A Memoir,” at Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, on Saturday at 2 p.m. For more information, call (626) 449-5320.

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“StoryLines California” is a call-in radio show that focuses on regional literature. On Sunday, the program examines “The Day of the Locust” by Nathanael West, with excerpts read by Mark Schubb. The program airs at 6 p.m. on KPFK-FM (90.7). Each Sunday through Dec. 26, a book about California will be part of a round-table discussion with authors, experts and listeners.

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Book lovers can participate in real-time conversations with authors through Barnes & Noble’s online chat sessions at https://www.barnesandnoble.com. Among those coming up:

* Today, 4 p.m.: Tony Hillerman will discuss his latest mystery, “Hunting Badger,” set on a Navajo reservation and based on an actual 1998 manhunt.

* Thursday, 4 p.m.: Walter Mosley will talk about his new Socrates Fortlow book, “Walkin’ the Dog,” set in modern-day Los Angeles.

* Friday, 4 p.m.: David Baldacci will take questions on his latest thriller, “Saving Faith.”

* Tuesday, 4 p.m.: Michael Crichton will go online to discuss “Timeline,” a tale about the exploding advances of technology.