Words & Ideas

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich

MONDAY

Nancy Brinker: The author of “Promise Me: How a Sister’s Love Launched the Global Movement to End Breast Cancer” will present and sign her new book. Vroman’s Bookstore 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Tiphanie Yanique: The author of “How To Escape from a Leper Colony: A Novella and Stories” will read and sign her new book. Book Soup 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

TUESDAY

Graham E. Fuller: Aloud at Central Library presents the author of “A World Without Islam” in conversation with Rabbi Reuven Firestone and Dr. Maher Hathout. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. https://www.aloudla.org.

David Kessler: The former FDA commissioner will present and sign his new book, “The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite.” Vroman’s Bookstore 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Terry McMillan: The author of “Waiting to Exhale” will read and sign her new novel, “Getting to Happy.” Eso Won Books 4331 Degnan Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 290-1048.

Take 100: The Future of Film Launch: Book Soup and Cinefamily present a panel discussion with filmmakers Jody Hill, the Duplass Brothers and Taika Waititi, moderated by Trevor Groth. Silent Movie Theatre, 611 N. Fairfax Ave., L.A. 8 p.m. $8-$12. (310) 659-3110. https://www.booksoup.com.

WEDNESDAY

Michael Hiltzik: The Times columnist and author of “Colossus: Hoover Dam and the Making of the American Century” will discuss and sign his new book. Skylight Books 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Tao Lin: The author of “ Richard Yates” will read and sign his new novel. Barnes & Noble, 1201 Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 260-9110.

Terry McMillan: The author of “Getting to Happy” will read and sign her new novel, the sequel to “Waiting to Exhale.” Vroman’s Bookstore 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Caryl Phillips: The author of the novels “Dancing in the Dark,” “A Distant Shore” and, most recently, “In the Falling Snow” will read and discuss his work as part of the New American Writing series. Hammer Museum 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Robert B. Reich: Diesel Bookstore and Live Talks Los Angeles present the author of “Aftershock: The Next Economy and America’s Future” in conversation with Kai Ryssdal. Zipper Hall at The Colburn School, 200 S. Grand Ave., L.A. 8 p.m. $20-$95. https://www.livetalksla.org.

THURSDAY

Dave Cooper: A launch party for the cartoonist’s new book, “Bent.” La Luz de Jesus Gallery 4633 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. 6 p.m. Free. (323) 666-7667.

Diana Gabaldon: The author of the Outlander Saga will present and sign “The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel.” Vroman’s Bookstore 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Eliza Griswold: Aloud at Central Library presents the author of “The Tenth Parallel: Dispatches from the Fault Line Between Christianity and Islam” in conversation with LMU Professor of Theological Studies Amir Hussain. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. https://www.aloudla.org.

Marianne Leone: The author of “Knowing Jesse: A Mother’s Story of Grief, Grace and Everyday Bliss” will present and sign her new book. Book Soup 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Tao Lin: The author will read and sign his new novel, “Richard Yates.” Skylight Books 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Howard Norman: Host Michael Silverblatt will interview the author of “What Is Left the Daughter.” Bookworm, 89.9 KCRW-FM, 2:30 p.m. https://www.kcrw.com.

FRIDAY

No Place for a Puritan Group Reading: Contributors to the new anthology will read their work: Jeannette Clough, Gayle Brandeis, Ruth Nolan, Deanne Stillman and Rebecca K. O’Connor. Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center 681 Venice Blvd., Venice. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 822-3006.

SATURDAY

Greg Graffin: The Bad Religion frontman will be joined by co-author Steve Olson for a discussion and signing of their new book, “Anarchy Evolution: Faith, Science and Bad Religion in a World without God.” Book Soup 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Stephen Jay Schwartz: The author of “Beat” will read and sign his new thriller. Book Soup 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 4 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Katherine Schwarzenegger: The California first daughter will present and sign her new book, “Rock What You’ve Got: Secrets to Loving Your Inner and Outer Beauty from Someone Who’s Been There and Back.” Diesel Bookstore 225 26th St., L.A. 3 p.m. Free. (310) 576-9960.

Sasha Steensen and Jane Sprague: Steensen, author of “A Magic Book” and “The Method,” will be joined for a reading and signing by poet and editor Sprague (“The Port of Los Angeles”). Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center 681 Venice Blvd., Venice. 7:30 p.m. (310) 822-3006.