Book calendar

Words & Ideas

TODAY

Vermin on the Mount The irreverent reading series hosted by author Jim Ruland returns with readings by David Francis, Gary Amdahl and Chiwan Choi. www.vermin.blogs.com. Mountain, 473 Gin Ling Way, L.A. 8 p.m. Free.

MONDAY

Mark Arax Aloud at Central Library presents the author of “West of the West: Dreamers, Believers, Builders and Killers in the Golden State” in conversation with Times staff writer Thomas Curwen. www.aloudla.org. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025.

David G. Derrick Jr. The author of “African Diaries: Sketches and Observations” will present his book and give a slide presentation of his sketches. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Allegra Huston The scion of the Hollywood dynasty and author of “Love Child” will present and sign her new memoir. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

TUESDAY

B.H. Fairchild and Elise Paschen Aloud at Central Library with Red Hen Press presents a reading by the two poets. www.aloudla.org. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025.

John Fante’s 100th Birthday Zócalo at the Hammer presents a celebration of the L.A. literary mainstay’s life and work. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

August Kleinzahler and Heather McHugh The poets will read and discuss their work at an event held in conjunction with the exhibition “Art of Two Germanys/Cold War Cultures.” Broad Contemporary Art Museum at LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 8 p.m. Free. (323) 857-6000.

Cloris Leachman The actress will present and sign her memoir, “Cloris.” Barnes & Noble, 189 the Grove Drive, L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 525-0270.

Paul Levine The author of “Illegal” will present and sign his new novel. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

WEDNESDAY

Mark Arax The author of “West of the West: Dreamers, Believers, Builders and Killers in the Golden State” will present and sign his new book. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Barry Callaghan The Canadian author and poet will discuss his works, including “The Hogg Poems and Drawings,” “Barrelhouse Kings” and “Between Trains.” Otis College of Art and Design, 9045 Lincoln Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 527-6847.

THURSDAY

Cloris Leachman The actress will present and sign her new memoir, “Cloris.” Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Nancy Goslee Power The principal of Nancy Goslee Power & Associates, which has designed and built gardens at the Norton Simon Museum Sculpture Garden and the Kidspace Children’s Museum, and author of “The Gardens of California: Four Centuries of Design from Mission to Modern,” will give a lecture. Otis College of Art and Design, 9045 Lincoln Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 527-6847.

FRIDAY

William Deverell The historian and author (“Whitewashed Adobe”) will present a lecture as part of the Public Salon Series: “Little Girl Lost: The Kathy Fiscus Tragedy and Modern California.” Farmlab, 1745 N. Spring St., No. 4, L.A. noon. Free. (323) 226-1158.

The New Short Fiction Series A dramatic reading of Thaila Ramanujam’s collection of stories “Queen of the Skies.” www.newshortfictionseries.com. Beverly Hills Public Library, 444 N. Rexford Drive, Beverly Hills. 8 p.m. $10. (310) 288-2220.

SATURDAY

Group Reading Authors Hannah Dennison (“Scoop”), Linda O. Johnson (“Never Say Sty”) and Melinda Wells (“Death Takes the Cake”) will discuss and sign their new books. The Mystery Bookstore, 1036-C Broxton Ave., Westwood. 1:30 p.m. Free. (310) 209-0415.

Robert Hofler The author of “Variety’s ‘The Movie that Changed My Life’ ” will present and sign the new collection of interviews from the trade newspaper. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 5 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Cloris Leachman The actress and author of “Cloris” will present and sign her new memoir. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.