Words & Ideas

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich

SUNDAY

Fifth Annual Festival of California Poets: PEN Center USA and the Poetry Society of America present poets Steve Kowit, Brighde Mullins and Lucille Lang Day reading selections from their own works and those of other California poets they admire. Pasadena Central Library, 285 E. Walnut St., Pasadena. 3 p.m. Free. (626) 744-4052.

Day of Discovery: PMCA and JPL presents discussions, demos, Q&As and activity sessions with Planetary Scientists, Astrobiologists and artists, geared toward adults and children alike. Pasadena Museum of California Art, 490 E. Union St., Pasadena. noon-5 p.m. Free. (626) 568-3665.

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.

Five Points Reading Series: Authors Ken Ehrlich, Grace Krilanovich and Karen Tongson will read. Workspace, 2601 Pasadena Ave., L.A. 5 p.m. Free. (323) 223-8086.

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.

Heather Hole: The author of “Marsden Hartley and the West: The Search for An American Modernism” will discuss and sign her new book about the American modernist painter. Autry National Center, 4700 Western Heritage Way, L.A. 2 p.m. Free with museum admission. (323) 667-2000.

David J. Linden: The author of “The Compass of Pleasure: How Our Brains Make Fatty Foods, Orgasm, Exercise, Marijuana, Generosity, Vodka, Learning and Gambling Feel So Good” will discuss and sign his new book. Center for Inquiry, 4773 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. 11 a.m. $8. (323) 666-9797.

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.

Mignon R. Moore: The author of “Invisible Families: Gay Identities, Relationships and Motherhood among Black Women” will discuss and sign her new book. Eso Won Books, 4331 Degnan Blvd., L.A. 4 p.m. Free. (323) 290-1048.

Rhapsodomancy Reading Series: Authors and poets Bernard Cooper, Eloise Klein Healy and David Hernandez will read the seventh anniversary installment of the series. Good Luck Bar, 1514 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz. 7:30 p.m. $3. https://www.rhapsodomancy.org.

Nancy Silverton: The co-owner of Pizzeria Mozza and Osteria Mozza will be joined by co-authors Matt Molina and Carolynn Carreno for a signing of their new book, “The Mozza Cookbook: Recipes from Los Angeles’ Favorite Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria”. Chevalier’s Books, 126 N. Larchmont Blvd., L.A. 10 a.m. Free. (323) 465-1334.

MONDAY

Anna David: The author of “Falling for Me: How I Hung Curtains, Learned to Cook, Traveled to Seville and Fell in Love” will discuss and sign her new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

John Sandford: The author of “Shock Wave” will read and sign the latest novel in his Virgil Flowers series. Mysterious Galaxy, 2810 Artesia Blvd., Redondo Beach. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 542-6000.

TUESDAY

Brad Cloepfil and Gus Van Sant: Zocalo presents a conversation with the Oregon-based architect and filmmaker. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Tracy Kidder: The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World” will discuss his work. Bovard Auditorium at USC, 3551 Trousdale Parkway, L.A. 7:30 p.m.; Wed., 7 p.m. Free. RSVP to arts@usc.edu.

Soraya Miré: The author of “The Girl with Three Legs” will discuss and sign her new memoir. Eso Won Books, 4331 Degnan Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 290-1048.

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

Nile Rodgers: The musician and author of “Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco and Destiny” will discuss and sign his new memoir with director Brett Ratner. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Christopher Russell: The author of “Sniper” will read and sign his recent novel/artist book. The Standard Hotel, 8300 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 650-9090.

Marcos Villatoro, Josh Pryor and Genevieve Kaplan: Red Hen Press presents a reading with the authors of “Blood Daughters,” “Fade to Black” and “In the Ice House,” respectively. https://www.redhen.org. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 6:30 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Jerry West: Live Talks Los Angeles presents the famed Lakers player known as “Mr. Clutch” in conversation with Peter Guber on the subject of West’s new memoir, “West by West: My Charmed, Tormented Life.” Track 16 Gallery, Bergamot Station 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica. 8 p.m. (VIP reception from 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.) $20-$95. https://www.livetalksla.org.

WEDNESDAY

Yangzom Brauen: The author of “Across Many Mountains: A Tibetan Family’s Epic Journey from Oppression to Freedom” will discuss and sign her new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Literary Death Match: Authors Beau Sia, Charles Yu (“How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe”), Jillian Lauren (“Pretty”) and Margaret Wappler will read their work at a competitive literary event judged by Jill Soloway, Ben Acker, Ben Blacker and Susan Bernard. Busby’s East, 5364 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 8 p.m. $7-$10. https://www.literarydeathmatch.com.

Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa: Aloud at Central Library presents the neurosurgeon in conversation with KPCC arts and education reporter Adolfo Guzman-Lopez on the subject of Quiñones-Hinojosa’s new book, “Becoming Dr. Q: My Journey from Migrant Farm Worker to Brain Surgeon.” Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. https://www.aloudla.org.

Jon Reiner: The author of “The Man Who Couldn’t Eat” will discuss and sign his new memoir. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

THURSDAY

Harold Bloom: Host Michael Silverblatt will interview the author of “The Shadow of a Great Rock: A Literary Appreciation of the King James Bible.” Bookworm, 89.9 KCRW-FM, 2:30 p.m. https://www.kcrw.com.

Richard A. Knaak: The author of “World of Warcraft: Wolfheart” and “Dragon Mound” will read and sign his new novels. Mysterious Galaxy, 2810 Artesia Blvd., Redondo Beach. 5:30 p.m. Free. (310) 542-6000.

Bonnie Nadzam: The author of “Lamb” will read and sign her debut novel. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

The Obesity Epidemic: The Center for Food Law and Policy presents a conversation with Dr. David Heber, the director of the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition, and Michael Roberts, director of The Center for Food Law and Policy. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Eric Olsen, Glenn Schaeffer and Michelle Huneven: The authors will discuss and sign the new anthology “We Wanted to Be Writers: Life, Love and Literature at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Michael Ondaatje: The author will read and sign his new novel, “The Cat’s Table.” Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. 8 p.m. Free. (310) 440-4500.

Kelli Stanley: The author of “City of Secrets” will read and sign the latest novel in her Miranda Corbie series. Mysterious Galaxy, 2810 Artesia Blvd., Redondo Beach. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 542-6000.

The Third Area Poetry Series: Poets Maureen Alsop, Keith Ekiss, Robin Ekiss and Jim Natal will read their work. Rosamund Felsen Gallery, 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica. 8 p.m. $5. (310) 828-8488.

Morley Winograd & Michael D. Hais: The authors of “Millennial Momentum: How a New Generation Is Remaking America” will discuss and sign their new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

FRIDAY

Wanda Coleman: The poet, whose latest collection is “The World Falls Away,” will read and discuss her work. Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice. 7:30 p.m. $5-$7. (310) 822-3006.

“Big” John McCarthy: The author of “Let’s Get It On!: The Making of MMA and Its Ultimate Referee” will present and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Thad Nodine and Andrea Portes: The authors of “Touch and Go” and “Hick” will read and sign their respective novels. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Michael Ondaatje: The author will read and sign his new novel, “The Cat’s Table.” Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Southern California Independent Booksellers Association Meet and Greet: A panel discussion with authors, editors and illustrators attending the upcoming trade show. Participants include: Jeff Mariotte, Joseph Nassise, Jessi Kirby, John Corley Whaley, W. Bruce Cameron, Vernor Vinge, Denise Hamilton, Thomas Perry, Don Winslow, Betty Birney, Oliver Jeffers, Theo Baker, Lin Oliver and Maryelizabeth Hart. Mysterious Galaxy, 2810 Artesia Blvd., Redondo Beach. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 542-6000.

SATURDAY

Lucy Lean and Marissa Guggiana: The authors of “Made in America: Our Best Chefs Reinvent Comfort Food” and “Off the Menu: Staff Meals from America’s Top Restaurants” will present and sign their respective new food books. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 5 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Mystery Authors Panel Discussion: Gar Anthony Haywood, Brett Battles and Robert S. Levinson will discuss and sign their books. Barnes & Noble, 10850 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. 2 p.m. Free. (310) 475-3138.

Novum #4: Phantasmagoria: Authors Colin Dickey (“Cranioklepty: Grave Robbing and the Search for Genius”), Kate Durbin (“The Ravenous Audience”), James Hager, Sara Finnerty and Angela Frocillo will read their work; accordionist Daniel Corral will perform. The Avenue 50 Studio, 131 N. Ave. 50, L.A. 7 p.m. (323) 258-1435.