Book calendar events for the week of June 19, 2011

SUNDAY

Ransom Riggs: The author of “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” will sign copies of his debut young-adult novel. Dark Delicacies, 4213 W. Burbank Blvd., Burbank. 2 p.m. Free. (818) 556-6660.

Bill Sharpsteen: The author of “The Docks” will discuss and sign his new book about the Port of Los Angeles. Wells Fargo Theater at Autry National Center, 4700 Western Heritage Way, L.A. 2 p.m. Free with museum admission. (323) 667-2000.

WordTheatre: Actors Maggie Siff, Amy Brenneman and Jon Tenney will give dramatic readings of stories by Sarah Shun-Lien Bynum, Jane Smiley and Simon Van Booy. Soho House West Hollywood, 9200 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 5:30 p.m. $22-$28. (310) 915-5150. https://www.wordtheatre.com.

MONDAY

Carole Eglash-Kosoff: The author of “The Human Spirit: Apartheid’s Unheralded Heroes” will discuss and sign her new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Brian Fagan: The author of “Elixir: A History of Water and Humankind” will discuss and sign his new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

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

Bryan Penprase: The author of “The Power of Stars: How Celestial Observations Have Shaped Civilization” will discuss and sign his recent book. Friends’ Hall, Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. 7:30 p.m. Free. (626) 405-2100.

TUESDAY

Peter H. Brothers: The author of “Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men: The Fantastic Cinema of Ishiro Honda” will discuss and sign his book. Agoura Hills Library, 29901 Ladyface Court, Agoura Hills. 6:30 p.m. Free. (818) 889-2278.

Vincent Bugliosi: The prosecutor and author will present and sign his new book, “Divinity of the Doubt: The God Question.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Jan Burke: The author will read and sign her new book, “Disturbance: An Irene Kelly Novel.” Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Huxley on Huxley: Aloud at Central Library presents a panel discussion on the subject of Laura and Aldous Huxley’s influence on American culture. Participants include artist Don Bachardy, journalist Ann Louise Bardach, filmmaker Mary Ann Braubach and Doors drummer John Densmore. 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.

Red Hen Press Group Reading: The Los Angeles-based press presents an evening of readings by poets Rita Mae Reese, Roger Mitchell and Steve Kistulentz. Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica. 6:30 p.m. Free. https://www.redhen.org.

WEDNESDAY

The Death of the Nuclear Renaissance: A panel discussion featuring UCLA Chancellor Emeritus Albert Carnesale, former commissioner of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Victor Gilinsky and nuclear physicist Arjun Makhijani, head of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research; moderated by Ian Masters. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Ron Hansen: The novelist will read and sign his latest, “A Wild Surge of Guilty Passion.” Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Marilyn Ann Moss: The author of “Raoul Walsh: The True Adventures of Hollywood’s Legendary Director” will present and sign her new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

THURSDAY

Gabrielle Donnelly: The author of “The Little Women Letters” will read and sign her new novel. Small World Books, 1407 Ocean Front Walk, Venice. 6 p.m. Free. (310) 399-2360.

Louis B. Jones: Host Michael Silverblatt will interview the author of the novel “Radiance.” Bookworm, 89.9 KCRW-FM, 2:30 p.m. https://www.kcrw.com.

Grace Krilanovich and Wyatt Doyle: The authors of “The Orange Eats Creeps” and “Stop Requested,” respectively, will read and sign their books. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Chad Kultgen: The author will read and sign his new novel, “Men, Women & Children.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

This Is Your Library: Aloud presents the third in its series of talk show-style events held after hours in the Central Library. This installment features “California’s Gold” host Huell Howser, novelist and critic Chris Kraus, Obie Award-winning theater artist Diane Rodriguez and freak-folkie Amanda Jo Williams. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7:30 p.m. $10-$15. (213) 228-7025. https://www.aloudla.org.

FRIDAY

Kola Boof: The author of “The Sexy Part of the Bible” will read and sign her new novel. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

SATURDAY

Will Alexander: The poet will read and sign his new collection, “Compression & Purity.” Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 5 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

David A. Kirby: The author of “Lab Coats in Hollywood: Science, Scientists and Cinema” will discuss and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 5 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Leimert Park Village Book Fair: A full day of readings, book signings, panel discussions, workshops, performances and live music. This year’s featured participants include Sugar Ray Leonard, Susan L. Taylor, Todd Bridges, Isabel Wilkerson, Douglas A. Blackmon and Julianne Malveaux. Leimart Park Village, 43rd Place at Crenshaw Boulevard, Leimert Park. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. (323) 730-0628. https://www.leimertparkbookfair.com.

Sugar Ray Leonard: The famed boxer will present and sign his new memoir, “The Big Fight: My Life In and Out of the Ring.” Eso Won Books, 4331 Degnan Blvd., L.A. 11 a.m. Free. (323) 290-1048.