Book calendar events for the week of April 24, 2011

Words & Ideas

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich.

SUNDAY

Writing Seminar Series for Adults: 826LA presents a panel discussion featuring Dan Harmon, David Eick, Aaron Ginsburg and Wade McIntyre covering different aspects of writing for television and film. Meltdown Comics, 7522 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. $12. (213) 413-3388. https://www.826la.org.

MONDAY

David R. Fett: The co-author of “White Sleeper” will read and sign his new novel. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. https://www.aloudla.org.

Meghan O’Rourke: The author of “The Long Goodbye” will read and sign her new memoir. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

TUESDAY

Family Matters Panel Discussion: Authors Jennifer Lauck (“Blackbird”), Dinah Lenney (“Bigger Than Life: A Murder, a Memoir”) and Hope Edelman (“Motherless Daughters”) will discuss the importance of writing about family. Diesel Bookstore, 225 26th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 576-9960.

Jamaica Kincaid: Aloud at Central Library presents the author of “At the Bottom of the River,” “Lucy,” “Annie John” and “A Small Place” in conversation with Brighde Mullins. 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.

Jim Krusoe: The author will read and sign his new novel, “Toward You.” Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Rachel Lloyd: The executive director of Girls Educational and Mentoring Services (GEMS) and author of “Girls Like Us: Fighting for a World Where Girls Are Not for Sale” will discuss and sign her new book. Montgomery Ross Fisher Building, Hamovitch Research Center at USC, 3800 S Figueroa St., L.A. 11 a.m. Free. (213) 740-2311.

The New Global Elite: Hammer Forum presents a conversation with Chrystia Freeland, global editor at large for Reuters and the former managing editor of the Financial Times, and Felix Salmon, blogging editor for Reuters and contributor to NPR’s Marketplace. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Nic Sheff: The author of “We All Fall Down: Living With Addiction” will present and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Paul Von Blum: The author of “A Life at the Margins: Keeping the Political Vision” will discuss and sign his new book. Eso Won Books, 4331 Degnan Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 290-1048.

WEDNESDAY

David Bezmozgis and Deb Olin Unferth: The authors of “The Free World” and “Vacation,” respectively, will discuss and sign their recent novels as part of the New American Writing series. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Nathan Larson: The author of “The Dewey Decimal System” will be joined by authors Nina Revoyr and Joseph Mattson for a reading and signing of his new novel. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

David Sedaris: The humorist and author of “Me Talk Pretty One Day,” “Naked,” “When You Are Engulfed in Flames” and, most recently, “Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary,” will read and discuss his work. Royce Hall at UCLA, 340 Royce Drive, L.A. 8 p.m. $33-$63 (sold out). (310) 825-2101.

Jess Walter: The author of novels “The Zero,” “Citizen Vince” and “The Financial Lives of Poets” will read and discuss his work. Otis College of Art and Design, 9045 Lincoln Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 665-6892.

THURSDAY

Sandra Cisneros and Cheech Marin: The author-poet (“The House on Mango Street,” “Loose Woman”) and the actor/comedian/arts patron will discuss their work as part of the Live Talks Los Angeles series. Track 16 Gallery, Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica. 8 p.m. $25-$95. (310) 264-4678. https://www.livetalksla.org.

Marjorie Garber: Host Michael Silverblatt will interview the author of “The Use and Abuse of Literature.” Bookworm, 89.9 KCRW-FM, 2:30 p.m. https://www.kcrw.com.

Nathan Larson: The author of “The Dewey Decimal System” will be joined by authors Nina Revoyr and Joseph Mattson for a reading and signing of his new novel. Stories, 1716 Sunset Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 413-3733.

The Letters of Elizabeth Bishop: Poets Cal Bedient, Carol Muske-Dukes and Stephen Yenser and editor Joelle Biele will read and discuss the new book “Elizabeth Bishop and the New Yorker: The Complete Correspondence.” Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

The Pale King: Monologues From the Unfinished Novel by David Foster Wallace: PEN Center USA presents a dramatic reading of the late author’s posthumous novel, “The Pale King.” Hosted by Times book critic David L. Ulin, the event will feature performers Henry Rollins, Josh Radnor, Megan Mullally, Adam Scott, Nick Offerman, Michelle Azar, Brian Elerding, Rob Delaney and Casey Wilson. Saban Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. 7 p.m. $65 (includes copy of book). (323) 655-4900. https://www.penusa.org.

YA Panel Discussion: Young Adult authors Gayle Forman (“If I Stay”), Ally Condie (“Matched”) and Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl (“Beautiful Creatures,” “Beautiful Darkness”) will discuss and sign their books. Diesel Bookstore, 225 26th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 576-9960.

SATURDAY

Vermin on the Mount: Authors Terese Svoboda (“Weapons Grade”), Heidi Durrow (“The Girl Who Fell From the Sky”), Heather Fowler and Jim Ruland (the latter two are contributors to the anthology “Re:Telling”), will read their work at the latest installment of the Chinatown reading series. Mountain Bar, 473 Gin Ling Way, L.A. 7 p.m. Free. https://www.vermin.blogs.com.

NEXT SUNDAY

Mike Sacks: The author of “Your Wildest Dreams, Within Reason” will present and sign his new book. Diesel Bookstore, 225 26th St., L.A. 3 p.m. Free. (310) 576-9960.