Book events for the week of July 18, 2010.

Words & Ideas

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich.

SUNDAY

Joseph Mattson and James Greer: The authors of “Empty the Sun” and “The Failure,” respectively, will read and sign their novels. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 6 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Prison & Poets: A panel discussion featuring poets and activists Rafael F. J. Alvarado, Hugo Machuca, Luis Rodriguez, Hannah Wehr and A. Razor; moderated by poet S. A. Griffin. Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice. 3 p.m. (310) 822-3006.

MONDAY

Ernessa Carter: The author of “32 Candles” will read and sign her debut novel. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Matt Kindt: The author of “Revolver” will present and sign his new graphic novel. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

TUESDAY

Belinda Carlisle: The Go-Go’s singer will present and sign her new memoir, “Lips Unsealed.” Borders, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Century City. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 552-1411.

Kalee Thompson: The author of “Deadliest Sea: The Untold Story Behind the Greatest Rescue in Coast Guard History” will present and sign her new book. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

WEDNESDAY

Lisa Gardner: The author of “Live to Tell: A Detective D. D. Warren Novel” will present and sign her new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

PEN USA Emerging Voices: Monica Carter, Bev Magennis, Simone Kang, Lorene Garrett and Natashia Deon will read and discuss their work. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000. https://www.penusa.org.

Richard Walter: The author of “Essentials of Screenwriting: The Art, Craft and Business of Film and Television Writing” will present and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

THURSDAY

Joshua Braff: The author of “Peep Show” will read and sign his new novel. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Irving Blum Speaks: The art world legend will discuss his tenure as director of the Ferus Gallery in the 50s and 60s and his time in the trenches of the New York art scene in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Concurrent with the exhibition “Andrew Lord: Between My Hands to Water Falling.” Santa Monica Museum of Art, Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave., Building G1, Santa Monica. 7 p.m. $15; members, free. (310) 586-6488.

Reweaving the Social Fabric of Skid Row: Aloud at Central Library presents a panel discussion with visual artist Clyde Casey, artist/activist Manuel Compito, L.A. Catholic Worker co-founder Jeff Dietrich, artist/activist John Malpede and L.A. CAN founder Pete White. Moderated by Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. https://www.aloudla.org.

Aram Saroyan: The author of “Door to the River: Essays and Reviews From the 1960s into the Digital Age” will discuss his new book with Black Sparrow publisher David Godine. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Stefanie Syman: The author of “The Subtle Body: The Story of Yoga in America” will present and sign her new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

FRIDAY

Marina Anderson: The late actor’s ex-wife will present and sign her new book, “ David Carradine: The Eye of My Tornado.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Keven Bellows and Candace Pearson: The poets will read and discuss their work. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

David Mitchell: The author of “Cloud Atlas” will read and sign his new novel, “The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet.” Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Sparring with Beatnik Ghosts: An L.A. installment of the San Francisco-based poetry series will feature readings by Ellyn Maybe, Iris Berry, Michael C. Ford, Mike the Poet, Rachel Kann, Jim Bolt, Jeanne Spicuzza, Brenda Petrakos, Peter Coca, Gary Justice and host Mani Suri. Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice. 7:30 p.m. (310) 822-3006.

SATURDAY

W. Bruce Cameron: The author of “A Dog’s Life: A Novel for Humans” will read and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 2 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Cecil Castellucci: The author will read and sign her new YA novel, “Rose Sees Red,” and her new children’s picture book, “Grandma’s Gloves.” Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 5 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

JULY 25

Catherine Opie and Eileen Myles: The artist will discuss her work with author Myles in an event held in conjunction with LACMA’s new exhibition “Catherine Opie: Figure and Landscape.” Bing Theater at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 2 p.m. Free. (323) 857-6010.

Ngugi wa Thiong’o: Libros Revolución presents the author of “Dreams in a Time of War: A Childhood Memoir” in conversation with KPFK-FM host Michael Slate. Downtown Independent, 251 S. Main St., L.A. 2 p.m. $5-$15. (213) 488-1303.