Words & Ideas

By Grace Krilanovich, Los Angeles Times

MONDAY
Sara Gruen: The author of “Water for Elephants� will read and sign her new novel, “The Ape House.� Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

National Lampoon: Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead: Aloud at Central Library presents National Lampoon alumni Rick Meyerowitz, Ellis Weiner and Ted Mann in conversation on the subject of the new book “Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead: The Writers and Artists Who Made the National Lampoon Insanely Great.� Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025, Aloud LA.

Darin Strauss and Adam Levin: The authors of “The Instructions� and “Half a Life,� respectively, will read and sign their new books. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

TUESDAY
Michael Connelly: The author will read and sign his latest, “The Reversal.� Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Simon LeVay: Aloud at Central Library presents the author of “Gay, Straight and the Reason Why: The Science of Sexual Orientation� in conversation with Larry Swanson, the Appleman professor of biological sciences at USC. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025, Aloud LA.

Sarah Marcus: The author of “Girls to the Front� will read and sign her new book about Riot Grrl and will be joined by musical guests Dunes and Anna Oxygen. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

WEDNESDAY
Bruce Bégout and D.J. Waldie: The author of “Common Place: The American Motel� will discuss and sign his new book with Waldie, who wrote the afterword. Otis College of Art and Design, 9045 Lincoln Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 665-6892.

Ben Greenman: The New Yorker editor and author of “Celebrity Chekov� will read and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Graham Hancock: The author of “Fingerprints of the Gods� will read and sign his first novel, “Entangled.� Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Marlo Thomas: The actress will present and sign her new memoir, “Growing Up Laughing: My Story and the Story of Funny.� Saban Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. 7:30 p.m. $40 with purchase of “Growing Up Laughing,� $20 without. (323) 655-4900. .

THURSDAY
Kwame Anthony Appiah: Aloud at Central Library presents the author of “The Honor Code: How Moral Revolutions Happen,� in conversation with Jack Miles, UC Irvine professor of English and religious studies. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. Aloud LA.

Leslie Brody: The author of “Irrepressible: The Life and Times of Jessica Mitford� will present and sign her new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Dirty Baby: A music, art and poetry collaboration featuring Nels Cline, Ed Ruscha and David Breskin makes its debut appearance. Bing Theater at LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 857-6010.

Brian Leung: The author will read and sign his new novel, “Take Me Home.� Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Rick Moody: Host Michael Silverblatt will interview the author on the subject of his new novel, “The Four Fingers of Death.� Bookworm, KCRW-FM (89.9), 2:30 p.m. KCRW.

P.J. O’Rourke: Live Talks Los Angeles presents the humorist in conversation with Judy Muller about O’Rourke’s new book, “Don’t Vote.� Track 16 Gallery, Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica. 8 p.m. $20-$95. (310) 264-4678. .

FRIDAY
Lan Samantha Chang: The author of “All Is Forgotten, Nothing Is Lost� will read and sign her new novel. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

SATURDAY
Cecil Castellucci: The author will read and sign her new young-adult novel, “Rose Sees Red.� Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 2 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Steven Johnson: The author of “Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation� will present and sign his new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Lauren Strasnick: The author will read and sign her new young-adult novel, “Her and Me and You.� Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 5 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.