Book calendar: Author events for the week of February 06, 2011

Words & Ideas

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich.

SUNDAY

Little House on the Bowery Showcase: Authors Lonely Christopher (“The Mechanics of Homosexual Intercourse”) and Joseph Mattson (“Empty the Sun”) will be joined by Little House on the Bowery series editor Dennis Cooper for a reading and signing. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 4 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

MONDAY

Steven Beasley: The author of “ Kay Kyser: The Ol’ Professor of Swing! America’s Forgotten Superstar” will present and sign his new biography of the bandleader. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Conversations with Artists: Artists and Their Books: Artists Andrea Bowers, Francesca Gabbiani, Alexandra Grant, Julian Hoeber, Dave Muller and Mungo Thomson discuss their favorite books at an event held in conjunction with the exhibition “Steve Wolfe on Paper.” Brown Auditorium at LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 857-6528.

Robert Kurzban: Zocalo presents a discussion and signing with the author of “Why Everyone (Else) Is a Hypocrite: Evolution and the Modular Mind.” The Actors’ Gang, 9070 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles. 7:30 p.m. Free. https://www.zocalopublicsquare.org.

Red Hen at the Geffen: Poets and authors from Red Hen Press — Rob Roberge (“Working Backwards From the Worst Moment of My Life”), Eloise Klein Healy (“The Islands Project: Poems for Sappho”), Brendan Constantine (“Letters to Guns”) and Cecilia Woloch (“Carpathia”) — will read their work. Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. $15-$20. (310) 208-5454.

What Books Press Group Reading: Authors with books published by the Los Angeles-based What Books Press will read, including Gronk (“A Giant Claw”), Chuck Rosenthal (“Coyote O’Donohughe’s History of Texas”), Ramon Garcia (“Other Countries”), Gail Wronsky (“So Quick Bright Things”) and Karen Kevorkian (“Lizard Dream”). Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

TUESDAY

Autobiography of Mark Twain Celebration: Robert H. Hirst, Twain scholar and editor of the Mark Twain Project, will be joined by actor Hal Holbrook and moderator David Kipen for a panel discussion. Audience Q&A, a book signing and cocktail reception with live music by the Americans will follow. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Erwin Chemerinsky and John Eastman: Aloud at Central Library presents the founding dean of U.C. Irvine’s School of Law and the Kennedy Chair in Law at Chapman University in a conversation titled “Is There a Conservative Assault on the Supreme Court?,” moderated by L.A. Times editorial page editor Jim Newton. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. Full; standby only. (213) 228-7025. https://www.aloudla.org.

Dan Dunn: The author of “Living Loaded: Tales of Sex, Salvation and the Pursuit of the Never-Ending Happy Hour” will present and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Peggy Orenstein: Writers Bloc presents the author of “ Cinderella Ate My Daughter: Dispatches From the Front Lines of the New Girlie-Girl Culture” in conversation with author Lori Gottlieb (“Marry Him: The Case for Settling for Mr. Good Enough”). MGM Screening Room, 10250 Constellation Blvd., Century City. 7:30 p.m. $20. https://www.writersblocpresents.com.

p.g. sturges: The author of “Shortcut Man” will read and sign his new novel. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

WEDNESDAY

Laynie Browne and Joe Ross: The poets, whose collections include “The Desires of Letters” and “An American Voyage,” will read their work. Otis College of Art and Design, 9045 Lincoln Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 665-6892.

Jane McGonigal: Zocalo presents the author of “Reality Is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World” in conversation with Ze Frank. Petersen Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. https://www.zocalopublicsquare.org.

THURSDAY

Millicent Borges Accardi: The poet will read and sign her new collection, “Injuring Eternity.” Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Leslie Brody: Aloud at Central Library presents the author of “Irrepressible: The Life and Times of Jessica Mitford” in conversation with Times columnist Patt Morrison. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. https://www.aloudla.org.

Gil Garcetti: The author of “Paris: Women & Bicycles” will present and sign his new photography book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Steve Martin in Conversation with Dave Hickey: The actor and author (“Shopgirl,” “Born Standing Up”) and the cultural critic and author of “Air Guitar: Essays on Art” and “Democracy,” will discuss Martin’s latest novel, “An Object of Beauty.” Booksigning to follow. Bing Theater at LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. $15-$20; sold out. (323) 857-6010.

Robert Pinsky and Bobby Bradford: The former U.S. poet laureate and the acclaimed jazz musician will share the stage for a poetry reading with live musical accompaniment. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Tatjana Soli: Host Michael Silverblatt will interview the author of “The Lotus Eaters.” Bookworm, 89.9 KCRW-FM, 2:30 p.m. https://www.kcrw.com.

FRIDAY

Helen Horowitz: The author of “Wild Unrest: Charlotte Perkins Gilman and the Making of ‘The Yellow Wall-Paper’” will discuss and sign her new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Clarence Lusane: The author of “The Black History of the White House” will present and sign his new book. Eso Won Books, 4331 Degnan Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 290-1048.

David Vann: The author of the story collection “Legend of a Suicide” will read and sign his debut novel, “Caribou Island.” Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

SATURDAY

Bram Dijkstra: The author of “Idols of Perversity” and “Evil Sisters” will present and sign his new book, “Naked: The Nude in America.” Brown Auditorium at LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. 2 p.m. Free. (323) 857-6528.

Glen Hirshberg: The author of “The Snowman’s Children” will read and sign his new novel, “The Book of Bunk.” Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 5 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Jane Velez-Mitchell: The author of “Addict Nation: An Intervention for America” will present and sign her new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 5 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

NEXT SUNDAY

Black Clock Issue 13 Launch: Contributors to the new issue of the Los Angeles-based literary magazine will read, including Aimee Bender, Janet Fitch, Jonathan Lethem, Susan Straight and Lisa Teasley. Hosted by Black Clock editor Steve Erickson. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 5 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Douglas Brinkley: The author of “The Quiet World: Saving Alaska’s Wilderness Kingdom, 1879-1960” will present and sign his new book. Autry National Center, 4700 Western Heritage Way, L.A. 2 p.m. Free with museum admission. (323) 667-2000.

Slake Issue 2 Reading: Contributors to the new issue of the Los Angeles-based literary magazine will read, including Geoff Nicholson, Laurie Ochoa, Victoria Patterson, Sam Slovick, Lauren Weedman, Lawrence Wilson and Mary Woronov. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 6:30 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.