Book event listings

Words & Ideas

TODAY

Tongue & Groove Conrad Romo hosts this monthly reading series. The latest installment will feature Chiwan Choi, Chris Kerr, Doug Cordell, Pat Payne and Nancy Pimental, with music by Les July. www.tongueandgroovela.com. Hotel Cafe, 1623 1/2 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood. 6 p.m. $6. (323) 937-0136.

WEDNESDAY

L.A. vs. Seattle: Whose Pacific Rim Is It? Zócalo Public Square Lecture Series presents a panel discussion that will include Steve Erie, David Olson and Thomas O’Brien, among others. www.zocalola.org. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (213) 403-0416.

THURSDAY

Margaret Coel The author will present and sign her new novel, “Blood Memory.” Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Rick Wartzman Aloud at Central Library presents a discussion, timed to coincide with Banned Books Week, between Wartzman (“Obscene in the Extreme: The Burning and Banning of John Steinbeck’s ‘The Grapes of Wrath’ ”) and William Deverell. www.aloudla.org. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025.

FRIDAY

Margaret Coel The author of “Blood Memory” will read and sign her new book. Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. 1 p.m. Free. (805) 374-0084.

John VorhausThe author of “Under the Gun” will present and sign his new mystery novel. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

SATURDAY

Shawna Kenney and Dito Montiel Kenney (“Imposters”) and Montiel (“Eddie Krumble Is the Clapper”) will present and sign their new books. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 5 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Sheila Lowe, Gwen Freeman and Kelli Stanley Lowe (“Written in Blood”) and Freeman (“Crazy Fool Kills Five”) will sign their books at 11:30 a.m.; Stanley will sign “Nox Dormienda” at 1 p.m. Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Free. (805) 374-0084.

NEXT SUNDAY

Iris Berry, Pleasant Gehman and S.A. Griffin Gehman (“Escape From Houdini Mountain”) and Griffin (“The Outlaw Bible of American Poetry”) will be on hand to celebrate the publication of the new anthology, “Sirens: Five Femme Fatale Poets,” of which Berry is a contributor. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 5 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Black Clock Reading The Los Angeles-based literary magazine launches its ninth issue with readings by contributors Seth Greenland, Anthony Miller, Los Angeles Times Book Review editor David L. Ulin and Black Clock editor Steve Erickson. www.blackclock.org. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 3 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Lily Koppel The author of “The Red Leather Diary” will read and sign her new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 4 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.