Book calendar

Words & Ideas

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich.

SUNDAY

Journey to Justice: Rev. James M. Lawson Jr. and Terrence Roberts: A conversation with two instrumental figures in the civil rights movement; moderated by journalist Erin Aubry Kaplan. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. 2 p.m. $10-$15; free to full-time students. (310) 440-4500.

Stephen Maitland-Lewis: The author of “Hero on Three Continents” will discuss and sign his new novel. Westwood Presbyterian Church, 10822 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 2 p.m. Free. (310) 470-3888.

MONDAY

Graciela Limon and Daniel Olivas: The authors of “The River Flows North” and “Anywhere but L.A.,” respectively, will discuss their books and the role of magic realism in contemporary Chicano literature. East Los Angeles Library, 4837 E. 3rd St., L.A. 6:30 p.m. Free. (323) 264-0155.

Gretchen Rubin: The author of “The Happiness Project” will present and sign her new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Dick Van Patten: The actor will present and sign his new memoir, “Eighty Is Not Enough.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

TUESDAY

T.C. Boyle: Aloud at Central Library presents an evening with the prolific author of “The Women,” “Tortilla Curtain” and “Drop City,” and, most recently, the collection of stories “Wild Child.” Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Full; standby only. (213) 228-7025. www.aloudla.org.

Steve Farber & Harlan Abrahams: The authors of “On the List: Fixing America’s Failing Organ Transplant System” will present and sign their new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Davida Wills Hurwin, Matthew Boger and Tim Zaal: Hurwin, author of “Freaks and Revelations,” will be joined by Boger and Zaal, who were the inspiration for her novel, for a discussion and signing. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Mark A.R. Kleiman: Writers Bloc presents the author of “When Brute Force Fails: How to Have Less Crime and Less Punishment” in conversation with former Massachusetts Gov. Michael S. Dukakis. Temple Emanuel, 300 N. Clark Drive, Beverly Hills. 7:30 p.m. $20. www.writersblocpresents.com.

Rick Lowe: Otis’ artist in residence for spring 2010, whose work includes Project Row Houses in Houston, will give a lecture. Otis College of Art and Design, 9045 Lincoln Blvd., L.A. 11 a.m. Free. (310) 665-6827.

Charles Phoenix: The author of “Americana the Beautiful: Mid-century Culture in Kodachrome” and “Southern California in the 50s: Sun, Fun and Fantasy” will discuss and sign his books. William H. Hannon Library at Loyola Marymount University, 1 LMU Drive, L.A. 5:30 p.m. Free. (310) 338-2792.

WEDNESDAY

Nick Flynn: The author of “The Ticking Is the Bomb” will read and sign his new memoir. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Melanie Lutz: The author of “The Bare Melcessities: Walking Out. Waking Up. Getting Bare” will present and sign her new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. noon. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Matmos/Drew Daniel & M.C. Schmidt: The San Francisco-based experimental music duo will give a lecture on “Queer Assemblages.” SCI-Arc, 960 E. 3rd St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 613-2200.

Writing for Stage and Screen: Hollywood Script Readers Reveal Tips of the Trade: A panel discussion featuring Jamie Lai (Teddy Zee Productions), Christopher Morrison (GMI), Elizabeth Passarelli (Red Om Films) and Noah Pohl (Paramount Vantage); moderated by USC playwriting lecturer Prince Gomolvilas. Doheny Memorial Library at USC, 3550 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Free; RSVP to mpw@college.usc.edu.

THURSDAY

Trinie Dalton and Aimee Bender: The authors of “Sweet Tomb” and “The Third Elevator,” respectively, will read and sign their new books. Family, 436 N. Fairfax Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 782-9221.

Elizabeth Kostova: Aloud at Central Library presents the author of “The Historian” in a reading and signing of her new novel, “The Swan Thieves.” Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. www.aloudla.org.

Jaron Lanier: Zócalo presents the author of “You Are Not a Gadget: A Manifesto” in a discussion and signing of his new book. The Actors’ Gang at the Ivy Substation, 9070 Venice Blvd., Culver City. 7:30 p.m. Free. www.zocalopublicsquare.org.

Jonathan Lethem: Host Michael Silverblatt will have as his guest the author of “Motherless Brooklyn,” “The Fortress of Solitude” and the new novel “Chronic City.” Bookworm, 89.9 KCRW-FM, 2:30 p.m. www.kcrw.com.

Maaza Mengiste: The author of “Beneath the Lion’s Gaze” will read and sign her new novel. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Audrey Niffenegger: The author of “The Time Traveler’s Wife” will read and sign her new novel, “Her Fearful Symmetry.” Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Smith on Smith: Patti Smith and other friends of the late Harry Smith will be on hand to celebrate the publication of “Harry Smith: The Avant-Garde in the American Vernacular,” with live music, film screenings and discussion of the visual artist, filmmaker and musicologist’s far-reaching cultural legacy. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

FRIDAY

Robert Crais: The author of “The First Rule” will present and sign his new Joe Pike novel. The Mystery Bookstore, 1036-C Broxton Ave., Westwood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 209-0415.

Dan Furst: The author of “Dance of the Moon: Celebrating the Sacred Cycles of the Earth” will discuss and sign his new book. Bodhi Tree Bookstore, 8585 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 659-1733.

Elizabeth Gilbert: The author of “Eat, Pray, Love” will discuss and sign her new book, “Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace With Marriage.” All Saints Episcopal Church, 132 N. Euclid Ave., Pasadena. 7 p.m. $26.95; includes copy of “Committed.” (626) 449-5320. www.vromansbookstore.com.

Patti Smith: The punk legend will present and sign “Just Kids,” a memoir of her life with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

SATURDAY

Alternative to What? Starting Your Own Art Space: A workshop and panel discussion featuring Machine Project director Mark Allen, Outpost for Contemporary Art founder Julie Deamer, LAXART director Lauri Firstenberg, Deep River founder Daniel Joseph Martinez and SOMA founder Yoshua Okón. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 10 a.m. $10 (includes lunch). (310) 443-7047.

Frederic Delarue: The author of “Create a New Life Through the Eyes of Your Heart” will discuss and sign his new book. Bodhi Tree Bookstore, 8585 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood. 3 p.m. Free. (310) 659-1733.

Jim Moret: The author of “The Last Day of My Life” will present and sign his new memoir. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 5 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Patti Smith: The music legend will present and sign her new book, “Just Kids.” Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 5 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

NEXT SUNDAY

Ian Whitcomb: The musician and author (“After the Ball: Pop Music From Rag to Rock”) will discuss and sign his books. West Los Angeles Regional Library, 11360 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. 2 p.m. Free. (310) 575-8323.