Book and author events

Words & Ideas

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich.

SUNDAY

Group Signing: Editor Jeff Gelb and contributors to the anthology “Dark Passions XIII” (Debbie Smith, Cody Goodfellow, Lisa Morton and Roberta Lannes), horror poet Maria Alexander (“At Louche Ends: Poetry for the Decadent”) and contributors to the anthology “Help Wanted: Tales of On-the-Job Terror” (Eric Shapiro, Amy Wallace, Scott Bradley, Will Huston and Zak Jarvis) will sign their new books. Dark Delicacies, 4213 W. Burbank Blvd., Burbank. 2 p.m. Free. (818) 556-6660.

Lucy Lean: The author of “Made in America: Our Best Chefs Reinvent Comfort Food” will present and sign her new cookbook. Chevalier’s Books, 126 N. Larchmont Blvd., L.A. noon. Free. (323) 465-1334.

Dennis Loo: The author of “Globalization and the Demolition of Society” will discuss and sign his new book. Revolution Books/Libros Revolucion, 5726 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. 3 p.m. $5-$10. (323) 463-3500.

Duff McKagan: The Guns N’ Roses and Velvet Revolver bassist will present and sign his new memoir, “It’s So Easy: And Other Lies.” Barnes & Noble Superstore, 1201 Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica. 2 p.m. Free. (310) 260-9110.

Gretchen McNeil: The author of “Possess” will read and sign her new YA novel. Diesel Bookstore, 225 26th St., L.A. 3 p.m. Free. (310) 576-9960.

The New Short Fiction Series: A dramatic reading of Cynthia Adam Prochaska’s “Doing Jason Manley, and Other Stories” by actors Jessica Hopper, Dian Kobayashi and Buckley Sampson. The Writers Junction, 1001 Colorado Ave. , Santa Monica. 7 p.m. $10-$15. (866) 811-4111. https://www.newshortfictionseries.com.

Pen Fatale YA Group Event: Authors Alyson Noel (“Dreamland”), Gabrielle Zevin (“All These Things I’ve Done”), Jessica Brody (“My Life Undecided”) and Mary E. Pearson (“The Fox Inheritance”) will read and sign their books. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 3 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Red Hen Press at the Ruskin: Poets Laurel Ann Bogen, Aaron Belz and Genevieve Kaplan will read their work. Ruskin Art Club, 800 S. Plymouth Blvd., L.A. 2 p.m. $5-$10. (626) 356-4760. https://www.redhen.org.

Elissa Schappell: The author of “Blueprints for Building Better Girls” will read and sign her new novel. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 6 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Theresa Weir: The author of “The Orchard” will read and sign her new memoir. Mysterious Galaxy, 2810 Artesia Blvd., Redondo Beach. 2 p.m. Free. (310) 542-6000.

MONDAY

Group Reading: Authors Laura Dave (“The First Husband”), Janelle Brown (“This Is Where We Live”) and Meg Waite Clayton (“The Four Ms. Bradwells”) will read and sign their new novels. Mysterious Galaxy, 2810 Artesia Blvd., Redondo Beach. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 542-6000.

Lucy Lean: The author of “Made in America: Our Best Chefs Reinvent Comfort Food” will present and sign her new cookbook. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Molly Shannon: The SNL alumna will present and sign her new children’s picture book, “Tilly the Trickster.” Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 4 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Sunflowers in Snow: Red Hen at Boston Court: Poets Garrett Hongo, Jim Tilley and Evie Shockley will read their work. Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena. 7 p.m. $5-$10. (626) 683-6883. https://www.redhen.org.

TUESDAY

Deepak Chopra and Leonard Mlodinow: Live Talks Los Angeles presents the bestselling authors of “War of the Worldviews: Science Vs. Spirituality” in conversation with Times columnist Patt Morrison. All Saints Episcopal Church, 132 N. Euclid Ave., Pasadena. 7:30 p.m. $20-$95. https://www.livetalksla.org.

Samuel R. Delany: The Nebula Award-winning author will read from his new novel, “Through the Valley of the Nest of Spiders.” Crookshank Hall at Pomona College, 140 W. 6th St., Claremont. 4:15 p.m. Free. (909) 607-2212.

Anne Enright: Aloud at Central Library presents the Irish author in conversation with director of the Master of Professional Writing program at USC Brighde Mullins on the subject of Enright’s new novel “The Forgotten Waltz.” Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. https://www.aloudla.org.

Stephen Greenblatt: Writers Bloc presents the author of “The Swerve: How the World Became Modern” in conversation with Monty Python alum and noted medieval history expert Eric Idle. Temple Emanuel, 300 N. Clark Drive, Beverly Hills. 7:30 p.m. $20. https://www.writersblocpresents.com.

Literary Luncheon with Elissa Schappell: The author of “Blueprints for Building Better Girls” will read and discuss her new novel. Villetta, 246 26th St., Santa Monica. noon. $70; includes lunch and signed copy of “Blueprints.” (310) 576-9960. https://www.dieselbookstore.com.

Duff McKagan: The Guns N’ Roses and Velvet Revolver bassist will present and sign his new memoir, “It’s So Easy: And Other Lies.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Mediabistro Book Club: Authors Joseph Mattson (“The Speed Chronicles”), Grace Krilanovich (“The Orange Eats Creeps”), Richard Grossman (“The Animals”) and Sanjiv Bhattacharya (“Secrets & Wives: The Hidden World of Mormon Polygamy”) will read and discuss their work. Viceroy Hotel, 1819 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica. 7 p.m. Free. RSVP required. https://www.mediabistro.com/events.

Luis J. Rodriguez: The author of “It Calls You Back: An Odyssey Through Love, Addiction, Revolutions and Healing” will discuss and sign his new book. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Daniel Yergin: Zocalo presents a discussion and signing with the author of “The Quest: Energy, Security and the Remaking of the Modern World.” Petersen Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. https://www.zocalopublicsquare.org.

WEDNESDAY

Ry Cooder: The musician and author will read and sign his new book, “Los Angeles Stories.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Chris Dixon: The author of “Ghost Wave: The Discovery of Cortes Bank and the Biggest Wave on Earth” will discuss and sign his new book. Diesel Bookstore, 225 26th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 576-9960.

Ariel Dorfman: Aloud at Central Library presents the novelist, playwright and essayist -- and former cultural advisor to Chilean President Salvador Allende -- in conversation with journalist Marc Cooper on the subject of Dorfman’s new memoir, “Feeding on Dreams: Confessions of an Unrepentant Exile.” Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. https://www.aloudla.org.

Alexander Maksik: The author of “You Deserve Nothing” will read and sign his debut novel. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Adilifu Nama: The author of “Super Black: American Pop Culture and Black Superheroes” will discuss and sign his new book. Eso Won Books, 4331 Degnan Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 290-1048.

Luis J. Rodriguez: The author of “It Calls You Back: An Odyssey Through Love, Addiction, Revolutions and Healing” will discuss and sign his new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Vernor Vinge: The author of “The Children of the Sky” will read and sign his new science fiction novel. Mysterious Galaxy, 2810 Artesia Blvd., Redondo Beach. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 542-6000.

THURSDAY

Mona Eltahawy and Gloria Steinem: Hammer Conversations presents the Egyptian American journalist, whose columns appear in the Toronto Star, Jerusalem Report and Politiken, and the pioneering activist, author and leader of the women’s liberation movement of the 1960s and ‘70s. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles. 2 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Jeffrey Eugenides: The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “Middlesex” and “The Virgin Suicides” will read and sign his new novel, “The Marriage Plot.” Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Kathleen Flinn: The author of “The Kitchen Counter Cooking School: How a Few Simple Lessons Transformed Nine Culinary Novices Into Fearless Home Cooks” will present and sign her new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Dana Gioia: The poet and critic, whose books include “Interrogations at Noon” and “Can Poetry Matter?,” will discuss his work. USC University Club, 645 W. Exposition Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 740-3252. https://www.usc.edu/mpw.

Lucy Lean: The author of “Made in America: Our Best Chefs Reinvent Comfort Food” will present and sign her new cookbook. Diesel Bookstore, 225 26th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 576-9960.

Justin Torres: Host Michael Silverblatt will interview the author of “We the Animals.” Bookworm, 89.9 KCRW-FM, 2:30 p.m. https://www.kcrw.com.

Janet Wilcox: The author of “Mastering Monologues and Acting Sides: How to Audition Successfully for Both Traditional and New Media” will discuss and sign her new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

FRIDAY

Dyan Cannon: The actress/director will present and sign her new memoir, “Dear Cary: My Life with Cary Grant.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Jeanne Darst: The author of “Fiction Ruined My Family” will read and sign her new memoir. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Featherless Reading Series: Authors Diana Arterian, Stephen van Dyck and Lisa Teasley will read their work. Stories, 1716 Sunset Blvd., L.A. 8 p.m. Free. (213) 413-3733.

Festival of California Poets: The Poetry Society of America and PEN Center USA present the fifth annual event featuring distinguished California poets reading the work of other notable poets hailing from the Golden State. This year Maxine Hong Kingston will read Lucille Clifton, Suzanne Lummis will read Nora May French and James Ragan will read Denise Levertov. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Adilifu Nama: The author of “Super Black: American Pop Culture and Black Superheroes” will discuss and sign his new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

SATURDAY

Alice Bag and Dawn Wirth: The L.A. punk pioneer will read and sign her new memoir, “Violence Girl.” Wirth will present and sign her new photography book, “The Bags: Hollywood Forever.” La Luz de Jesus Gallery, 4633 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 666-7667.

Night and the City: L.A. Noir in Poetry, Fiction and Film: Poet and critic Robert Polito will discuss his work and the legacy of noir across genres. Noir singer Cristy Knowings will perform. Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice. 7:30 p.m. $5-$10. (310) 822-3006.

Luis J. Rodriguez: The author of “It Calls You Back: An Odyssey Through Love, Addiction, Revolutions and Healing” will discuss and sign his new book. Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural & Bookstore, 13197-A Gladstone Ave., Sylmar. 5 p.m. Free. (818) 939-3433.

Jeri Westerson: The author of “Troubled Bones: A Medieval Noir” will read and sign her new novel. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 5 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

NEXT SUNDAY

Ben Ehrenreich: The author of “Ether” will read and sign his new novel. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 5 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Jack Halberstam, Wayne Koestenbaum and Maggie Nelson: The authors of “The Queer Art of Failure,” “Humiliation” and “The Art of Cruelty: A Reckoning,” will discuss and sign their respective new books. REDCAT at Walt Disney Concert Hall, 631 W. 2nd St., L.A. 7 p.m. $5-$10. (213) 237-2800.

Jane Lynch: The actress will present and sign her new memoir, “Happy Accidents.” Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 4 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.