Words & Ideas

By Grace Krilanovich, Los Angeles Times

MONDAY
Sara Gruen: The author of “Water for Elephants” will read and sign her new novel, “The Ape House.” Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

National Lampoon: Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead: Aloud at Central Library presents National Lampoon alumni Rick Meyerowitz, Ellis Weiner and Ted Mann in conversation on the subject of the new book “Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead: The Writers and Artists Who Made the National Lampoon Insanely Great.” Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025, Aloud LA.

Darin Strauss and Adam Levin: The authors of “The Instructions” and “Half a Life,” respectively, will read and sign their new books. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

TUESDAY
Michael Connelly: The author will read and sign his latest, “The Reversal.” Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Simon LeVay: Aloud at Central Library presents the author of “Gay, Straight and the Reason Why: The Science of Sexual Orientation” in conversation with Larry Swanson, the Appleman professor of biological sciences at USC. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025, Aloud LA.

Sarah Marcus: The author of “Girls to the Front” will read and sign her new book about Riot Grrl and will be joined by musical guests Dunes and Anna Oxygen. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

WEDNESDAY
Bruce Bégout and D.J. Waldie: The author of “Common Place: The American Motel” will discuss and sign his new book with Waldie, who wrote the afterword. Otis College of Art and Design, 9045 Lincoln Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 665-6892.

Ben Greenman: The New Yorker editor and author of “Celebrity Chekov” will read and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Graham Hancock: The author of “Fingerprints of the Gods” will read and sign his first novel, “Entangled.” Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Marlo Thomas: The actress will present and sign her new memoir, “Growing Up Laughing: My Story and the Story of Funny.” Saban Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. 7:30 p.m. $40 with purchase of “Growing Up Laughing,” $20 without. (323) 655-4900. .

THURSDAY
Kwame Anthony Appiah: Aloud at Central Library presents the author of “The Honor Code: How Moral Revolutions Happen,” in conversation with Jack Miles, UC Irvine professor of English and religious studies. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. Aloud LA.

Leslie Brody: The author of “Irrepressible: The Life and Times of Jessica Mitford” will present and sign her new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Dirty Baby: A music, art and poetry collaboration featuring Nels Cline, Ed Ruscha and David Breskin makes its debut appearance. Bing Theater at LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 857-6010.

Brian Leung: The author will read and sign his new novel, “Take Me Home.” Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Rick Moody: Host Michael Silverblatt will interview the author on the subject of his new novel, “The Four Fingers of Death.” Bookworm, KCRW-FM (89.9), 2:30 p.m. KCRW.

P.J. O’Rourke: Live Talks Los Angeles presents the humorist in conversation with Judy Muller about O’Rourke’s new book, “Don’t Vote.” Track 16 Gallery, Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica. 8 p.m. $20-$95. (310) 264-4678. .

FRIDAY
Lan Samantha Chang: The author of “All Is Forgotten, Nothing Is Lost” will read and sign her new novel. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

SATURDAY
Cecil Castellucci: The author will read and sign her new young-adult novel, “Rose Sees Red.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 2 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Steven Johnson: The author of “Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation” will present and sign his new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Lauren Strasnick: The author will read and sign her new young-adult novel, “Her and Me and You.” Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 5 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.