Book events for the week of March 7.

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich

SUNDAY

Dirty Laundry Group Reading: Comedians Laura Silverman, Doug Benson, Maggie Rowe, Jim Vallely, Randy Sklar and Kevin Nealon will present and sign the new anthology “Dirty Laundry: Real Life. Real Stories. Real Funny.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 5 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

MONDAY

Brian Fagan: The author of “Cro-Magnon: How the Ice Age Gave Birth to the First Modern Humans” will present and sign his new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

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

TUESDAY

Eat: Los Angeles 2010: Editors and contributors Colleen Dunn Bates, Pat Saperstein, Jean T. Barrett, Linda Burum and Miles Clements will present and sign the new edition of the LA food guide. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Mary Gaitskill: The author of the novel “Veronica” and short-story collections “Bad Behavior” and “Because They Wanted To” will read and sign her latest collection, “Don’t Cry,” as part of the museum’s New American Writing series. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Susannah Gora: The author of “You Couldn’t Ignore Me If You Tried: The Brat Pack, John Hughes and Their Impact on a Generation” will present and sign her new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Bob Newhart: The show biz legend will discuss his career and sign his book “I Shouldn’t Even Be Doing This!: And Other Things that Strike Me as Funny.” The GRAMMY Museum, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., L.A. 8 p.m. $20. (213) 763-2133.

WEDNESDAY

Jesse Katz: Aloud at Central Library presents the former Times staff writer and author of “The Opposite Field: A Memoir” in conversation with Homeboy Industries founder Father Gregory Boyle. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. www.aloudla.org.

Bill Reed: The author of “Hot from Harlem: Profiles in Classic African-American Entertainment” will present and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Helen Thorpe: The author of “Just Like Us: The True Story of Four Mexican Girls Coming of Age in America” will present and sign her new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

THURSDAY

Dean King: The author of “Unbound: A True Story of War, Love and Survival” will present and sign his new book. Pacific Asia Museum, 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free with museum admission. (626) 449-2742, Ext. 20.

Leonard Mlodinow: Aloud at Central Library presents the author of “The Drunkard’s Walk: How Randomness Rules Our Lives” in conversation with science writer K.C. Cole. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. www.aloudla.org.

Brenda Peterson: The author of “I Want to Be Left Behind: Finding Rapture Here on Earth” will present and sign her new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Patti Smith: Part 2 of host Michael Silverblatt’s conversation with the punk legend on the subject of her new book, “Just Kids.” Bookworm, 89.9 KCRW-FM, 2:30 p.m. www.kcrw.com.

Kelli Stanley: The author of “City of Dragons” will present and sign her new crime thriller. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

FRIDAY

Father Gregory Boyle: The founder of Homeboy Industries and author of “Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion” will present and sign his new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Mark Edward Rhodes, Michael C. Ford and Laura Copelin: The three poets will read and discuss their work. Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice. 7:30 p.m. (310) 822-3006.

SATURDAY

CalArts MFA Writing Students: Kate Coltun, Nikki Darling, Sara Gerot, Tiffany Promise, Analisa Raya-Flores and Sam Cohen will read their work. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 5 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Austin Carty: The author of “High Points and Lows: Life, Faith, and Figuring It All Out” will present and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 2 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Group Poetry Reading: Mel Nichols (“Catalytic Exteriorization Phenomenon”), K. Lorraine Graham (“Terminal Humming”), Mark Wallace (“Temporary Worker Rides A Subway”) and Rod Smith (“Deed”) will read and discuss their work. Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice. 7:30 p.m. (310) 822-3006.

RuPaul: The drag icon will present and sign his new book, “Workin’ It: RuPaul’s Guide to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Style.” Samuel French Theatre & Film Bookshops, 7623 Sunset Blvd., L.A. 2 p.m. Free. (323) 876-0570.

NEXT SUNDAY

Vermin on the Mount: Author Jim Ruland (“Big Lonesome”) hosts this bimonthly reading series. The latest installment will feature Jami Attenberg (“The Melting Season”), Jennine Capo Crucet (“How to Leave Hialeah”), Times staff writer Margaret Wappler and T. Greenwood (“The Hungry Season”). Mountain Bar, 473 Gin Ling Way, L.A. 8 p.m. Free. www.vermin.blogs.com.