Words & Ideas: Book calendar for the week of June 20, 2010.

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich.

MONDAY

Peter Beinart: Zócalo presents the author of “The Icarus Syndrome: A History of American Hubris” in conversation with Benjamin Schwarz, literary and national editor for the Atlantic. The Actors’ Gang at the Ivy Substation, 9070 Venice Blvd., Culver City. 7:30 p.m. Free. https://www.zocalopublicsquare.org.

Steve Cubine: The author of Walking on Electric Air” will read and sign his debut novel. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Jenny Hollowell: The author of “Everything Lovely, Effortless, Safe” will read and sign her debut novel. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Brad Kessler: The author of “Goat Song: A Seasonal Life, a Short History of Herding and the Art of Making Cheese” will present and sign his new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

TUESDAY

Brooke Berman: The author of “No Place Like Home: A Memoir in 39 Apartments” will read and sign her new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Bill Boyarsky and Peter Jones: Aloud at Central Library presents a discussion and screening with Boyarsky, 30-year Los Angeles Times veteran and author of “Inventing L.A.: The Chandlers and Their Times,” and Jones, whose companion documentary of the same name won a Peabody Award in 2009. Times columnist Patt Morrison moderates. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. https://www.aloudla.org.

Gregory Boyle: The founder of Homeboy Industries will present and sign his new book, “Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion.” A reception at 5:30 p.m. precedes the reading at nearby Village Book Shop. Proceeds benefit the imperiled nonprofit. Village Book Shop, 123 N. Glendora Ave., Glendora. Glendora Library and Cultural Center, 140 S. Glendora Ave., Glendora. 7:30 p.m. (626) 335-5720.

William Dalrymple: Zócalo presents a discussion and signing with the Scottish historian and travel writer, whose latest book is “Nine Lives: In Search of the Sacred in Modern India.” Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000. https://www.zocalopublicsquare.org.

William Dalrymple: The author of “Nine Lives: In Search of the Sacred in Modern India” will discuss and sign his new book. Pacific Asia Museum, 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena. noon. Free with museum admission. (626) 449-2742, Ext. 20.

Emily Winslow: The author of “The Whole World” will read and sign her new novel. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

WEDNESDAY

826LA Book Launch: Young authors affiliated with the tutoring and creative writing center will read their work from the new anthology “You Never Forget How to Ride a Bike.” Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (213) 413-3388. https://www.826la.org.

The Black Body Anthology Reading: Aloud at Central Library presents a reading and panel discussion with contributors Nzingha Clarke, David Goldsmith, Peter J. Harris, Philip Littell, Jason Luckett and Gail Wronsky; moderated by editor Meri Nana-Ama Danquah. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. https://www.aloudla.org.

Martha McPhee: The author of “Dear Money” will read and sign her new novel. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

THURSDAY

Brooke Berman: The author of “No Place Like Home: A Memoir in 39 Apartments” will read and sign her new book. 826LA, 1714 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (213) 413-3388.

Big City Forum: Artists Kaucyila Brooke and Ken Ehrlich will discuss their work in a conversation moderated by curator Glenn Phillips. Goethe-Institut German Cultural Center, 5750 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 100, L.A. 7 p.m. Free. https://www.bigcityforum.blogspot.com.

The Cambridge Companion to the Literature of Los Angeles: Editor Kevin McNamara and contributors William Alexander McClung, Mark Shiel, William Mohr, Scott Bryson and Eric Avila will read from the new anthology. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Customs and Departures: An Evening With Thai-American Writers: A reading and discussion with novelist and TV writer Cherry Chevapravatdumrong, playwright Prince Gomolvilas, memoirist Ira Sukrungruang and poet Pimone Triplett. USC, Mark Taper Hall, 3501 Trousdale Parkway, L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free; RSVP to mpw@college.usc.edu. https://www.penusa.org/customs-and-departures.

Jeffery Deaver: The author will read and sign his new Lincoln Rhyme novel, “The Burning Wire.” Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Alan Furst: Writers Bloc presents the author in conversation with screenwriter Dick Clement on the subject of Furst’s latest WWII espionage thriller, “Spies of the Balkans.” Writer’s Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills. 7:30 p.m. $20. https://www.writersblocpresents.com.

Greg Gorman: The photographer will present and sign his new book, “In Their Youth: Early Portraits.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Zachary Mason: Host Michael Silverblatt will interview the author of “The Lost Books of the Odyssey.” Bookworm, 89.9 KCRW-FM, 2:30 p.m. https://www.kcrw.com.

FRIDAY

Lori Gottlieb: The author of “Marry Him: The Case for Settling for Mr. Good Enough” will discuss and sign her book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Tarquin Hall: The author of “The Case of the Man Who Died Laughing: From the Files of Vish Puri, Most Private Investigator” will present and sign his new novel. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Sarah Silverman: Writers Bloc presents the comedian and author of “The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption and Pee” in conversation with Sandra Tsing Loh. Writer’s Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills. 7:30 p.m. $20. https://www.writersblocpresents.com

Ira Sukrungruang: The author of “Talk Thai: The Adventures of Buddhist Boy” will present and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

SATURDAY

Gregory Boyle: The founder of Homeboy Industries will discuss and sign his new book, “Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion.” Apostrophe Books, 4712 E. 2nd St., Long Beach. 4 p.m. Free. (526) 438-7950.

Leimert Park Village Book Fair: More than 150 authors, poets, artists and entertainers will be on hand for the 4th annual event which will include book signings, workshops, panel discussions, readings, live music and a Children’s Village. Participants include Kim Wayans (“Amy Hodgepodge”), Louis Gossett Jr. (“An Actor and a Gentleman”), Douglas Blackmon (“Slavery by Another Name”) and Ishmael Reed (“ Barack Obama and the Jim Crow Media”). Leimert Park Village, 43rd Place & Crenshaw Boulevard, Leimert Park. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. https://www.leimertparkbookfestival.com.

WriteGirl Season End Celebration: Teen authors will read their work from the creative writing center’s new anthology. Writer’s Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills. 1-5 p.m. $20. (213) 253-2655. https://www.writegirl.org.

Jen Yates: The author of “Cake Wrecks: When Professional Cakes Go Hilariously Wrong” will present a slide show and sign the companion book to the blog of the same name. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 4 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

NEXT SUNDAY

Francesca Lia Block: The author will present and sign her new children’s picture book, “House of Dolls.” Diesel Bookstore, 225 26th St., L.A. 3 p.m. Free. (310) 576-9960.

Neil LaBute: The screenwriter and playwright will present and sign his new book, “Filthy Talk for Troubled Times: And Other Plays.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.