Book calendar

Words & Ideas

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich

SUNDAY

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama: Whole Child International presents the Tibetan spiritual leader, who will deliver a public address on cultivating compassion and serving the needs of vulnerable children around the world, and will be joined by musical guest Sheryl Crow. Gibson Amphitheatre, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City. 1:30 p.m. $30-$205. (866) 448-7849.

Douglas Kearney: The poet will read and sign his new collection, “The Black Automaton.” Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 5 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Kaumudi Marathe: The chef will discuss and sign her new book, “The Essential Marathi Cookbook,” which -- outside of this program -- is not yet available in the U.S. Pacific Asia Museum, 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena. 2 p.m. Free with museum admission. (626) 449-2742, Ext. 20.

WordTheatre at the Edye: PEN USA presents the second installment of a four-part series, which will feature author T.C. Boyle reading his story “The Lie” in addition to performances by actors Joel David Moore and Carla Gugino. The Edye Second Space, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. 3 p.m. $30-$35. (310) 915-5150. www.wordtheatre.com.

MONDAY

Joel Kotkin: The author of “The Next Hundred Million: America in 2050” will present and sign his new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Gabriel Thompson: The author of “Working in the Shadows: A Year of Doing the Jobs (Most) Americans Won’t Do” will present and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

TUESDAY

Art and Public Space in Los Angeles: A panel discussion featuring Watts House Project founder Edgar Arceneaux, SPARC founder Judy Baca, Arts and Action founder Sandra de la Loza and Los Angeles Nomadic Division co-founder Christine Y. Kim. Moderated by Chon Noriega, director of the UCLA Chicano Studies Center. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Joanne Fluke: The author of “Apple Turnover Murder” will read and sign her latest Hannah Swensen mystery. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Meditations and Actions on Place: Three American Iconoclasts in Conversation: Aloud at Central Library presents a panel discussion with authors John D’Agata (“About a Mountain) and Verlyn Klinkenborg (“Timothy, or Notes of an Abject Reptile”) and LACMA director Michael Govan. Moderated by Brighde Mullins, director of the Masters of Professional Writing program at USC. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. www.aloudla.org.

WEDNESDAY

Peter Hanson and Paul Robert Herman: The editors of “Tales from the Script: 50 Hollywood Screenwriters Share Their Stories” will present and sign their new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Dani Shapiro: The author of “Devotion” will read and sign her new memoir. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Joseph Stiglitz: Aloud at Central Library presents the Nobel Prize-winning economist in conversation with Los Angeles Times editor-at-large Jim Newton on the subject of Stiglitz’s new book, “Free Fall: Free Markets and the Sinking of the World Economy.” Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Full; standby only. (213) 228-7025. www.aloudla.org.

Julia Sweig: Zócalo presents a discussion and signing with the author of “Cuba: What Everyone Needs to Know.” Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 440-4500. www.zocalopublicsquare.org.

THURSDAY

Mary Kelly: The artist and writer (“Post-Partum Document”) will discuss her work as part of the UCLA Department of Art Lecture series. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Norman Klein: The author of “The History of Forgetting: Los Angeles and the Erasure of Memory” and “Freud in Coney Island And Other Tales” will read and discuss his work. Otis College of Art and Design, Graduate Studios, 1550 E. Franklin Ave., El Segundo. 11:15 a.m. Free. (310) 665-6892.

Javier Marías: Host Michael Silverblatt will interview the Spanish author on the subject of the third volume of his “Your Face Tomorrow” trilogy, “Your Face Tomorrow: Poison, Shadow and Farewell.” Bookworm, 89.9 KCRW-FM, 2:30 p.m. www.kcrw.com.

Mary Oliver: The poet, recipient of the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award, will read and discuss her work. Royce Hall, UCLA, 340 Royce Drive, L.A. 8 p.m. $24-$48. (310) 825-2101.

Eric Puchner: The author of the story collection “Music Through the Floor” will read and sign his debut novel, “Model Home.” Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

FRIDAY

Michelle Alexander: The author of “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness” will present and sign her new book. Eso Won Books, 4331 Degnan Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 290-1048.

Matthew Flaming: The author of “The Kingdom of Ohio” will read and sign his debut novel. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Sunny Massad: The author of “UnTherapy: A Positive Psychology for Enlightened Living” will present and sign her new book. Bodhi Tree Bookstore, 8585 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 659-1733.

Eileen C. Moore: The author of “Race Results: Hollywood vs. the Supreme Court; Ten Decades of Racial Decisions and Film” will present and sign her new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Melissa Rivers: The red carpet fixture will present and sign her new book, “Red Carpet Ready: Secrets for Making the Most of Any Moment You are in the Spotlight.” Village Books, 1049 Swarthmore Ave., Pacific Palisades. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 454-4063.

Dani Shapiro: The author of “Devotion” will read and sign her new memoir. Diesel Bookstore, 225 26th St., L.A. 6 p.m. Free. (310) 576-9960.

David St. John, Gail Wronsky and Brian Michael Tracy: The poets will read and discuss their work. Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice. 7:30 p.m. (310) 822-3006.

Muhammad Yunus: 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, who the developed the concept of microcredit, will discuss and sign his book, “Creating a World Without Poverty: Social Business and the Future of Capitalism.” Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. 4 p.m. $20. (805) 449-2787.

SATURDAY

Group Reading: Les Figues Press presents an evening of readings by authors and poets Vanessa Place (“La Medusa”), Christine Wertheim (“+|’me’S-pace”), William Poundstone (“Priceless”), Donato Mancini (“Ligature”) and Gregory Betts (“If Language”). Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice. 7:30 p.m. (310) 822-3006.