Book calendar

Words & Ideas

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich.

SUNDAY

Ellen Eisenberg The author of “The First to Cry Down Injustice? Western Jews and Japanese Removal During WWII” will discuss and sign copies of her book. Autry National Center, 4700 Western Heritage Way, L.A. 1 p.m. (323) 667-2000.

Aris Janigian The author of “Bloodvine” will read and sign his new novel, “Riverbig.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 5 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

MONDAY

Mark Caro The author will present and sign his new book, “Foie Gras Wars: How a 5,000-Year-Old Delicacy Inspired the World’s Fiercest Food Fight.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Stan Sakai The creator of the popular “Usagi Yojimbo” series will discuss and sign his books. Pacific Asia Museum, 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena. 3 p.m. Free with museum admission. (626) 449-2742, Ext. 31.

Elaine Showalter The author of “A Jury of Her Peers: American Women Writers From Anne Bradstreet to Annie Proulx” will present and sign her new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

TUESDAY

Martin Atkins The author of “Tour:Smart: And Break the Band” will present and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Mark Caro The author of “Foie Gras Wars” will present and sign his new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Dr. Drew Pinsky & Dr. S. Mark Young The “Loveline” and “Celebrity Rehab” host, with co-author Young, will discuss and sign their new book, “The Mirror Effect: How Celebrity Narcissism Is Seducing America.” Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Reservations required. (310) 440-4500.

WEDNESDAY

An Evening With Craig Newmark Zócalo presents the founder of Craigslist in conversation with Los Angeles Times editorial board member Jon Healey. www.zocalopublicsquare.org. ArcLight Hollywood, 6360 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. 7:30 p.m. Free.

Earlene Fowler The author of “Love Mercy” will read and sign her new novel. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Brenda Hillman The poet (“Bright Existence,” “Loose Sugar” and “Cascadia”) will read and discuss her work. Ahmanson Building. Otis College of Art and Design, 9045 Lincoln Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 527-6847.

LAy of the LAnd: Writing Los Angeles A daylong conference geared toward Los Angeles-based writers as well as writers writing about Los Angeles. Authors in attendance include Carolyn See, Douglas Kearney, David L. Ulin, Marisela Norte, Nina Revoyr, Terry Wolverton, Sesshu Foster, Suzanne Lummis, Lynell George, Celeste Fremon, David Wong Louie and Raquel Gutierrez. Loyola Marymount University, 1 LMU Drive, L.A. 1:30-8 p.m. Free. (213) 804-4682.

Jeffrey Richelson Aloud at Central Library presents the author of “Defusing Armageddon: Inside NEST, America’s Secret Nuclear Bomb Squad” in conversation with NPR foreign correspondent Mike Shuster. www.aloudla.org. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025.

THURSDAY

Josh Bazell The author of “Beat the Reaper” will read and sign his new novel. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Gustav Niebuhr and Eboo Patel Aloud at Central Library, with Vesper Society, presents a conversation between the two writers: “Beyond Tolerance: Interfaith Action in the World.” www.aloudla.org. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025.

Dr. Drew Pinsky & Dr. S. Mark Young The authors of “The Mirror Effect: How Celebrity Narcissism Is Seducing America” will discuss and sign their new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

FRIDAY

Black & Tan This installment of the reading series hosted by Robert Juarez and Bryan Sanders will feature authors Kim Calder (“Who’s to Say What’s Home”) and Karen Harryman (“Auto Mechanic’s Daughter”). Open reading at 7:30 p.m. Stories, 1716 Sunset Blvd., L.A. 8 p.m. Free. (213) 413-3733.

Cassandra Clare and Lisa McMann The authors of “City of Glass” and “Fade,” respectively, will read and sign their new books. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

SATURDAY

Steve Goldstein The author of “L.A.’s Graveside Companion” will present and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Amy Koppelman The author of “A Mouthful of Air” will read and sign her new novel, “I Smile Back.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 5 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Spring 2009 Mediascapes Symposium: Immersive and Virtual Architecture at the Edge of Physicality Panelists include Benjamin Bratton, Jean Michel Crettaz, Manuel DeLanda, Ed Keller, JoAnn Kuchera-Morin, Eric Owen Moss and Marcos Novak. SCI-Arc, 960 E. 3rd St., L.A. 2-5 p.m. Free. (213) 613-2200, Ext. 347.

Young Adult Authors in Conversation Cecil Castellucci (“The Plain Janes”), Ron Koertge (“Deadville”), Lisa Yee (“Absolutely Maybe”) and Cylin Busby (“The Year We Disappeared”) will discuss their books. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 5 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

NEXT SUNDAY

Peter Maravelis and Craig Clevenger Two of the contributors to “San Francisco Noir 2” will read and sign copies of the new anthology. Diesel Bookstore, 225 26th St., Santa Monica. 3 p.m. Free. (310) 576-9960.

Walter Mosley The author will read and sign his latest novel, “The Long Fall.” Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 5 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.