Words & Ideas

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich

SUNDAY

David Kipen: The author of “Los Angeles in the 1930s: The WPA Guide to the City of Angels” will discuss and sign his new book. Metropolis Books, 440 S. Main. St., Los Angeles. Noon. Free. (213) 612-0174.

MONDAY

Joe Elliott and Rick Savage: The Def Leppard singer and bassist will sign copies of the new photography book “Def Leppard: The Definitive Visual History.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 3 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

TUESDAY

Denise Hamilton: The author will read and sign her new thriller, “Damage Control.” Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

WEDNESDAY

Jillian Lauren: The author of the memoir “Some Girls” will read and sign her debut novel, “Pretty.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Michael McClure: The author of eight plays, four essay collections, two novels and more than 14 books of poetry will read and discuss his work, including his latest poetry collection, “Mysteriosos and Other Poems.” Otis College of Art and Design, 9045 Lincoln Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 665-6892.

Carol Muske-Dukes: The California Poet Laureate will read and sign her new collections, “Twin Cities” and “Crossing State Lines: An American Renga.” Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Blake Mycoskie and Ben Goldhirsh: Aloud at Central Library presents Mycoskie, founder of TOMS Shoes and author of the new book “Start Something That Matters,” in conversation with GOOD founder Goldhirsh; moderated by Kai Ryssdal. 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.

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

Morley Winograd & Mike Hais: The authors of “Millennial Momentum: How a New Generation Is Remaking America” will discuss and sign their new book as part of the USC Annenberg School’s Center on Communication Leadership and Policy series “Road to the White House 2012: Politics, Media and Technology.” Ronald Tutor Campus Center at USC, 3800 S Figueroa St., L.A. 11:30 a.m. Free; RSVP to commlead@usc.edu. (213) 821-0060.

THURSDAY

Rikki Ducornet: Host Michael Silverblatt will interview the author of “Netsuke.” Bookworm, 89.9 KCRW-FM, 2:30 p.m. https://www.kcrw.com.

Jim Heimann: The editor of “Menu Design in America: 1850-1985” will discuss and sign the new book. Cocktails and morsels from Mr. Chow, Spago, Vosges Haut Chocolate and The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills will be served. Taschen Bookstore, 354 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills. 7 p.m. $59.99, includes copy of book. RSVP required. (310) 274-4300.

Hal Holbrook: Live Talks Los Angeles presents the actor in conversation with actor Robert Patrick on the subject of Holbrook’s new memoir, “Harold: The Boy Who Became Mark Twain.” Track 16 Gallery, Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica. 8 p.m. (VIP reception at 6:30 p.m.). $25-$95. (310) 264-4678. https://www.livetalksla.org.

Khaled Hosseini: The author will present and sign “The Kite Runner Graphic Novel.” All Saints Episcopal Church, 132 N. Euclid Ave., Pasadena. 7 p.m. $22. (626) 449-5320. https://www.vromansbookstore.com.

Randall Kennedy: Zócalo presents the Harvard law professor in a discussion and signing of his new book, “The Persistence of the Color Line: Racial Politics and the Obama Presidency.” Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000. https://www.zocalopublicsquare.org.

Robert S. Levinson: The author will read and sign his new mystery novel, “A Rhumba in Waltz Time.” Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Peter Manso: The author of “Reasonable Doubt: The Fashion Writer, Cape Cod and the Trial of Chris McCowen” will discuss and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Simon Norfolk: The photographer will discuss and sign his new book, “Burke + Norfolk: Photographs from the War in Afghanistan by John Burke and Simon Norfolk.” Brown Auditorium at LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 857-6000.

S. Brian Willson: The anti-war activist will discuss and sign his new memoir, “Blood on the Tracks.” Revolution Books/Libros Revolución, 5726 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. $10. (323) 463-3500.

FRIDAY

Leopoldine Core and Dinah Lenney: Core and Lenney (“Bigger Than Life: A Murder, a Memoir”) will read their work. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Laurie R. King: The author of “Pirate King: A Novel of Suspense Featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes” will read and sign her new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Jeffrey McDaniel, Stacy Gnall and Amber Tamblyn: The poets will read and sign their respective collections, “The Endarkenment,” “Heart First into the Forest” and “Free Stallion.” Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Jennifer Niven: The author of “Velva Jean Learns to Fly” will read and sign her new novel. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

David Rowe and Steve Abee: The poet (“Unsolicited Poems”) and novelist (“Johnny Future”) will read and discuss their work. Stories, 1716 Sunset Blvd., L.A. 8 p.m. Free. (213) 413-3733.

SATURDAY

David Calonne: The Bukowski scholar and editor of “More Notes of a Dirty Old Man” will read and discuss the new anthology of Charles Bukowski’s previously uncollected columns. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 5 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Christian Hawkey and Susan Bernofsky: Poet Hawkey (“Ventrakl”) and translator-scholar Bernofsky will read and discuss their work. Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice. 7:30 p.m. $5-$7. (310) 822-3006.

Libros Schmibros: Car Schmar: A panel discussion with essayist D.J. Waldie (“Holy Land: A Suburban Memoir”), poet Marisela Norte (“Peeping Tom Tom Girl”) and journalist-screenwriter Richard Rayner (“A Bright and Guilty Place”) on the subject of being nondrivers in car-centric L.A. Part of the Boyle Heights bookstore’s Hammer residency. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, L.A. 5:30 p.m. (310) 443-7000.

Little Willie John Book Launch: The late soul singer’s sister, Mabel John, will be on hand to discuss and sign copies of the new biography “Fever: Little Willie John’s Fast Life, Mysterious Death and the Birth of Soul” by Susan Whitall. Eso Won Books, 4331 Degnan Blvd., L.A. 2 p.m. Free. (323) 290-1048.

E. Van Lowe: The author of “Boyfriend from Hell” will read and sign his new YA novel. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 4 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

David Rowe, Rich Ferguson, Mike Sonksen and S.A. Griffin: The poets will read and discuss their work. Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice. 4:30 p.m. $5-$7. (310) 822-3006.

Courtney E. Smith: The author of “Record Collecting for Girls: Unleashing Your Inner Music Nerd, One Album at a Time” will discuss and sign her new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 5:30 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

NEXT SUNDAY

Ten Years Later Panel Discussion: Granta, in association with PEN Center USA, presents a discussion marking the 10th anniversary of 9/11. This event, which features authors Steve Erickson, Dana Goodyear, Adam Johnson and Times Book Critic David L. Ulin, is one of a series that spans the nation and is held in conjunction with the new issue of Granta, “Granta 116: 10 Years Later.” Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 4 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.