Book and author events in the Los Angeles area: Words & Ideas

Compiled by Liesl Bradner.

SUNDAY

Dennis Palumbo: The author leads the workshop “Taking the Mystery Out of Writing Mysteries” and signs “Fever Dream,” Vromans Bookstore 3729 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. 4 p.m. (626) 449-5320.

Heather Donahue: The actress and author signs her memoir, “Grow Girl: How My Life After The Blair Witch Project Went to Pot.” Dark Delicacies 3512 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank. 2 p.m. (818) 556-6660.

Tribute to Christopher Hitchens: A morning of remembrance along with reading selections from the late author’s collection of writings. Center for Inquiry, 4773 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. 11 a.m. $8. (323) 666-9797.

Fred Weintraub: The club owner, film producer and screenwriter presents his first book, “Bruce Lee, Woodstock and Me,” Barnes & Noble 1201 Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica. 2 p.m. (310) 260-9110.

WriteGirl celebrates the book launch of “Intensity: The 10th Anniversary Anthology,” a collection of stories, poetry, lyrics, novel excerpts and perspectives from more than 140 teen girls and women writers from the L.A. The Last Bookstore 453 S. Spring St., L.A. 3-5 p.m. (213) 488-0599.

MONDAY

Rachel Bertsche: The journalist and former editor at O magazine discusses and signs her book, “MWF Seeking BFF: My Yearlong Search for a New Best Friend.” Small World Books 1407 Ocean Front Walk, Venice. 6 p.m. Free. (310) 399-2360.

Heather Donahue: The actress and author discusses and signs “Growgirl: How My Life After The Blair Witch Project Went to Pot.” Book Soup 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. 7 p.m. (310) 659-3110.

Clayton Kershaw: The L.A. Dodger signs “Arise: Live Out Your Faith and Dreams on Whatever Field You Find Yourself,” Barnes & Noble 189 Grove Drive, Los Angeles. 7 p.m. (323) 525-0270.

“New Year, New Beginnings”: Playwright and writer in residence Lucy Wang leads “Tell Your Story Circle” with a night of reflection and storytelling exchange. Annenberg Community Beach House 415 Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica. 2-4 p.m.

Leigh Stein discusses and signs “The Fallback Plan,” Vroman’s Bookstore 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. (626) 449-5320.

TUESDAY

Dave Barry and Alan Zweibel present and sign “Lunatics,” which addresses everything from China, Cuba, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to the perils of school soccer leagues, ballet recitals and dressing up like Chuck E. Cheese. Skirball Cultural Center 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 440-4500.

Greedy Bastards -- A Conversation: Author Dylan Ratigan joins Matthew DeBord in a discussion of his new book, “Greedy Bastards: How We Can Stop Corporate Communists, Banksters and other Vampires From Sucking America Dry,” Crawford Family Forum 474 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena. 7-8:30 p.m. Free. RSVP required.

Adam Johnson discusses and signs “The Orphan Master’s Son,” Vroman’s Bookstore 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. (626) 449-5320.

LA Moth StorySLAM: “Gangs Cliques and Crowds” is the theme of this month’s storytelling competition. El Cid, 4212 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. 7:30 p.m. $8. (323) 668-0318.

David Lee Summers: The author and astronomer signs his book “Owl Dance,” Mysterious Galaxy 2810 Artesia Blvd., Redondo Beach. 7:30-8:30 p.m. (310) 542-6000.

Luis J. Rodriguez and Father Gregory Boyle: Journalist and poet Rodriguez discusses the struggles of post-gang life in his book “It Calls You Back: An Odyssey Through Love, Addiction, Revolutions, and Healing,” with Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries and author of the bestseller “Tattoos on the Heart.” Los Angeles Central Library 630 W. 5th St., Los Angeles. 7 p.m. (213) 228-7000.

WEDNESDAY

Ayad Akhtar and Amy Waldman: The novelists explore the lives of American Muslims before and after 9/11. Los Angeles Central Library 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m.

Sarah Jio discusses and signs “The Bungalow,” Vroman’s Bookstore 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Live Talks: Eric Weiner in conversation with Lisa Napoli discussing his new book, “Man Seeks God: My Flirtations With the Divine,” Track 16 Gallery Bergamot Station 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica. 8 p.m. $20 and up.

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THURSDAY

Bookworm: Ismet Prcic discusses his first novel, “Shards,” 89.9 KCRW 2:30 p.m.

Homo-Centric: Hank Henderson and the Homo-Centric elite offer odd and eerie tales celebrating Edgar Allan Poe’s birthday. Stories 1716 Sunset Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. (213) 413-3733.

Max Kornell: The children’s book author reads and signs “Bear With Me,” Barnes & Noble 189 Grove Drive, Los Angeles. 11 a.m. (323) 525-0270.

Connie Rice discusses and signs “Power Concedes Nothing,” Vroman’s Bookstore 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

John Tottenham and Anthony Ausgang discuss and sign their new books, respectively, “Inertia Variations” and “The Sleep of Puss Titter: A Lysenkoist Life in the Random-Word Generation,” Book Soup 8818 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles. 7 p.m. (310) 659-3110.

Richard D. Walker: The author signs his motivational book, “It’s My Life! I Can Change If I Want To,” Pages: A Bookstore 904 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach. 7 p.m. (310) 318-0900.

FRIDAY

Nathan Landau discusses and signs “Car-Free Los Angeles & Southern California,” Vroman’s Bookstore 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Lectures From Beyond: Will Alexander lectures on “Poetry as Divine Roulette,” Beyond Baroque 681 Venice Blvd., Venice. 7 p.m. $7. (310) 822-3006.

Kyle Richards: The real housewife of Beverly Hills signs copies of her book “Life Is Not a Reality Show: Keeping It Real With The Housewife Who Does It All,” Barnes & Noble 160 S. Westlake Ave., Thousand Oaks. 7 p.m. (805) 446-2820.

Steven J. Ross: The author discusses and signs “Hollywood Left and Right: How Movie Stars Shaped American Politics,” Book Soup 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. 7 p.m. (310) 659-3110.

SATURDAY

Carol O’Connell: The author signs his newest Mallory novel, “The Chalk Girl,” Mysterious Galaxy 2810 Artesia Blvd., Redondo Beach. 2:30-3:30 p.m. (310) 542-6000.

Rebecca Hill: The author signs “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Food and Love,” Barnes & Noble 13400 Maxella Ave., Marina del Rey. 1 p.m. (310) 306-3213.

Mutation Nation: Tales of Genetic Mishaps, Monsters, and Madness: Editor Kelly Dunn, contributors Stephen Woodworth and Maria Alexander, and cover artist Audra Phillips sign copies of the book. Dark Delicacies 3512 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank. 2 p.m.

Daniel Oppenheimer discusses and signs “Democracy Despite Itself: Why a System That Shouldn’t Work at All Works so Well,” Book Soup 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. 4 p.m.

NEXT SUNDAY

Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore presents a night of provocation and insight with a discussion of her book “Why Are Faggots so Afraid of Faggots,” 1716 Sunset Blvd., L.A. 6:30 p.m. (213) 413-3733.

Kurt Kamm celebrates the release of his new thriller, “Code Blood,” Diesel, A Bookstore 23410 Civic Center Way, Malibu. 3 p.m. (310) 456-9961.

Robin Mellom: The YA author celebrates the publication of her debut novel, “Ditched,” Diesel A Bookstore, 225 26th St., Santa Monica. 3 p.m.

Noir at the Bar features Stephen Blackmoore discussing his new novel, “City of the Lost,” Mandrake Bar, 2692 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. 7:30-9 p.m. (310) 837-3297.