Book calendar

Words & Ideas

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich

SUNDAY

Rhapsodomancy Reading Series: The latest installment of the monthly reading series will feature authors and poets Felicia Luna Lemus, Brendan Constantine, Antonia Crane and Mandy Kahn. Good Luck Bar, 1514 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz. 7:30 p.m. $3. (213) 503-1729. www.rhapsodomancy.org.

MONDAY

Andrew B. Lewis: The author of “The Shadows of Youth: The Remarkable Journey of the Civil Rights Generation” will present and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Scotty McLennan: Aloud at Central Library presents the author of “Jesus Was a Liberal: Reclaiming Christianity for All” in conversation with Associate Dean of Religious Life at USC Rev. Jim Burklo. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. www.aloudla.org.

Andrew Porter: The author of “The Theory of Light and Matter” will read and sign his Flannery O’Connor Award-winning collection of short fiction. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Red Hen at the Geffen: Los Angeles-based Red Hen Press, in association with Poetry Society of America, presents an evening of readings by poets Wanda Coleman, Albert Goldbarth and Brendan Constantine; hosted by Kate Gale and moderated by Robert N. Casper. Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood. 7:30 p.m. $15-$20. (310) 208-5454. www.redhen.org.

TUESDAY

Lori Gottlieb: The author of “Marry Him: The Case For Settling For Mr. Good Enough” will discuss her book with author Sandra Tsing Loh and Rabbi David Wolpe. Temple Emanuel, 300 N. Clark Drive, Beverly Hills. 7:30 p.m. $20. www.writersblocpresents.com.

Marisa Matarazzo: The author of “Drenched” will read and sign her debut collection of stories. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Thomas Ricks: Los Angeles World Affairs Council presents a discussion and signing with the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist on the subject of his new book “The Gamble: General David Petraeus and the American Military Adventure in Iraq, 2006-2008.” Beverly Hilton Hotel, 9876 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. 7:30 p.m. $65-$90. (213) 628-2333. www.lawac.org.

Kevin Sampsell: The author of “A Common Pornography” will read and sign his new memoir. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Wagner and Anti-Semitism: A panel, featuring authors, scholars and conductors Leon Botstein, David J. Levin, Kenneth Reinhard and Marc A. Weiner, will discuss the controversy surrounding the 19th century German composer. Held as part of the Hammer Lectures series and in conjunction with Ring Festival LA. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

WEDNESDAY

Lori Gottlieb: The author of “Marry Him: The Case for Settling for Mr. Good Enough” will present and sign her new book. Borders Books & Music, 1360 Westwood Blvd., Westwood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 475-3444.

Bruce Eric Kaplan and Dan Savage: A Valentine’s Day-themed conversation with the New Yorker cartoonist, whose latest book is “I Love You, I Hate You, I’m Hungry,” and the “Savage Love” columnist. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Charles Sophy: The author of “Side by Side: The Revolutionary Mother-Daughter Program for Conflict-Free Communication” will present and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

THURSDAY

Rita Dove: Host Michael Silverblatt will interview Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Rita Dove on the subject of her new collection, “Sonata Mulattica.” Bookworm, 89.9 KCRW-FM, 2:30 p.m. www.kcrw.com.

Kamala Harris: The author of “Smart on Crime: A Career Prosecutor’s Plan to Make Us Safer” will present and sign her new book. Eso Won Books, 4331 Degnan Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 290-1048.

Paul Harris: The LMU professor of English will present a lecture, “Translating Architecture into Letters: Simon Rodia’s Watts Towers in Six Sections in Succession.” William H. Hannon Library at Loyola Marymount University, 1 LMU Drive, L.A. 5:30 p.m. Free. (310) 258-4602.

Beth Hoffman: The author of “Saving CeeCee Honeycutt” will read and sign her debut novel. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Joel Kotkin: Aloud at Central Library presents the author of “The Next Hundred Million: America in 2050” in conversation with historian Kevin Starr. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. www.aloudla.org.

Canyon Sam: The author of “Sky Train: Tibetan Women on the Edge of History” will present and sign her new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Tavis Smiley: The acclaimed broadcaster, author and advocate will discuss his life and career with Paley Center president Pat Mitchell. Paley Center for Media, 465 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills. 7 p.m. $10-$15. (310) 786-1000.

FRIDAY

Jo Maeder: The author of “When I Married My Mother: A Daughter’s Search for What Really Matters -- And How She Found It Caring for Mama Jo” will present and sign her new book. Village Books, 1049 Swarthmore Ave., Pacific Palisades. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 454-4063.

Rebecca Rosen: The author of “Spirited: Connect to the Guides All Around You” will present and sign her new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

SATURDAY

Planaria Price & Euphronia Awakuni: The authors of “Life in the USA: An Immigrant’s Guide to Understanding Americans” will present and sign their new book. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 5 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Rob Rosen: The author of “Divas Las Vegas” will read and sign his new novel. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 2 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.