Book calendar events for the week of July 03, 2011

Words & Ideas

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich.

TUESDAY

Robert Ben Garant & Thomas Lennon: The comedian-actors (“Reno 911!”) will present and sign their new book, “Writing Movies for Fun and Profit: How We Made a Billion Dollars at the Box Office and You Can, Too!” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

New Short Fiction Series: Writings on Independence: Lorraine Michaels, Sally Shore and Robert Standley will read stories by Ron Burch, Andrew Roe and A.R. Taylor. Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica. 6:30 p.m. Free. (310) 458-2257.

Thaddeus Russell: The author of “A Renegade History of the United States” will discuss and sign his recent book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

WEDNESDAY

After the Arab Spring: A panel discussion featuring Dr. Rabab el-Mahdi, professor of Political Science at American University in Cairo, and community organizer Jawad Nabulsi. Moderated by Ian Masters. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Shannon Brownlee: Zocalo presents a discussion with the acting director of the health policy program at the New America Foundation and author of “Overtreated: Why Too Much Medicine Is Making Us Sicker and Poorer.” Petersen Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 930-2277. https://www.zocalopublicsquare.org.

Fiction and Narrative Nonfiction Panel: Memoirists and novelists James Brown (“This River”), Seth Greenland (“Shining City”), Diana Wagman (“Spontaneous”) and Leslie Schwartz (“Angels Crest”) will discuss their work; moderated by Times columnist and author Meghan Daum (“Life Would Be Perfect If I Lived in That House”). Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Joseph Papa: The author of “Elizabeth Taylor, A Passion for Life: The Wit and Wisdom of a Legend” will present and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd. W. Hollywood, L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

William C. Rempel: The author of “At the Devil’s Table: The Untold Story of the Insider Who Brought Down the Cali Cartel” will read and sign his new nonfiction thriller. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Jared Sacks: The editor of “No Land! No House! No Vote!” — an anthology authored by the South African Symphony Way Pavement Dwellers — will discuss and sign the new book. Diesel Bookstore, 225 26th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 576-9960.

THURSDAY

Adrian Burgos: The author of “Cuban Star: How One Negro-League Owner Changed the Face of Baseball” will discuss and sign his new book. Eso Won Books, 4331 Degnan Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 290-1048.

Linda Hogan: The television personality will present and sign her new book, “Wrestling the Hulk: My Life Against the Ropes.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Gregg Hurwitz: The author will read and sign his new thriller, “You’re Next.” Diesel Bookstore, 225 26th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 576-9960.

Carla Malden: The author of “AfterImage: A Brokenhearted Memoir of a Charmed Life” will read and sign her new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Newer Poets XVI: A Reading: Aloud presents an evening of readings by Lory Bedikian, A. Razor, Cassandra Love, Sherman Pearl, Anthony Seidman and Mehnaz Turner. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. https://www.aloudla.org.

Toni Margarita Plummer: The author of “The Bolero of Andi Rowe” will read and sign her debut collection of short stories. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

FRIDAY

Afterzine No. 2 Launch Party: Publisher Hamish Robertson will be joined by contributors Bobby Solomon and Kyle Fitzpatrick for a celebration of the new issue of the arts and culture ‘zine. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

The Best Women’s Travel Writing 2011 Group Reading: Contributors to the new anthology will read their work: Bridget Croker, Marianne Rogoff, Anne Van and Lavinia Spalding. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Gabrielle Donnelly: The author of “The Little Women Letters” will read and sign her new novel. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

SATURDAY

Tess Gerritsen: The author of “The Silent Girl: A Rizzoli & Isles Novel” will read and sign her new thriller. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 5 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Bernard Judge: The author of “Waltzing with Brando: Planning a Paradise in Tahiti” will discuss and sign his new memoir of his time as Marlon Brando’s architect. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 2 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.