Words & Ideas

Words & Ideas

Compiled by Liesl Bradner.

SUNDAY

David Marin: The author discusses and signs “This Is Us: The New All-American Family.” Vromans Bookstore, 3729 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. 3 p.m.

Jeff Garlin: The actor, comedian and author discusses and signs “Curbing It,” about how he dedicated an entire season of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” to making over his lifestyle. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. 4 p.m. (310) 659-3110.

Brian Herbert: The author signs “Sisterhood of Dune,” the 12th novel set in Frank Herbert’s classic science fiction universe. Mysterious Galaxy, 2810 Artesia Blvd., Redondo Beach. 2:30-4 p.m. Free. (310) 542-6000.

The New Short Fiction Series: The 16th season begins with Elizabeth E. King reading from “Real Conversations With Imaginary Friends.” The Federal Bar, 5303 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. 7 p.m. $10 advance, $15 at the door. (818) 980-2555. (877) 435-9849.

MONDAY

Big Boy: The radio personality will be signing his weight-loss story, “An XL Life.” Eso Won Books, 4331 Degnan Blvd., Los Angeles. 7-9 p.m. (323) 290-1048.

TUESDAY

Ed Kovacs: The writer discusses and signs his thriller “Storm Damage.” Book Soup, 8818 W Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. 7 p.m.

Lisa Niemi Swayze: The wife of Patrick Swayze discusses her book “Worth Fighting For.” Barnes & Noble, 189 Grove Drive, The Grove, Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Wristband event. (323) 525-0270.

Susan Sherman & Adrienne Sharp: The authors discuss their books “The Little Russian” and “The True Memoirs of Little K,” Stories, 1716 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. 7:30 p.m. (213) 413-3733.

Tom Zoellner: The author and fifth generation Arizonan discusses and signs “A Safeway in Arizona: What the Gabrielle Giffords Shooting Tells Us About the Grand Canyon State and Life in America.” Vromans Bookstore, 3729 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. (626) 449-5320.

WEDNESDAY

Ellis Avery: The author discusses and signs the love story “The Last Nude.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. 7 p.m. (310) 659-3110.

Howard Gordon: The executive producer of “24” and co-creator of “Homeland” discusses and signs his latest book, “Hard Target.” Barnes & Noble, 189 Grove Drive, The Grove, Los Angeles. 7 p.m. This is a wristbanded event. (323) 525-0270.

Rashad Harrsion: The author will be signing his debut historical novel, “Our Man in the Dark” about a worker in the civil rights movement leading up to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Eso Won Books, 4331 Degnan Blvd., Los Angeles. 7-9 p.m. (323) 290-1048.

THURSDAY

Ry Cooder: Journalist and professor Lynell George joins the author in conversation about his book, “Los Angeles Stories” Vromans Bookstore 3729 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. (626) 449-5320.

Dennis Cooper: The novelist discusses his recent book, “The Marbled Swarm” set in a haunted house in Paris. Bookworm, 89.9 KCRW-FM, 2:30 p.m.

Expanding Your Screenwriting Horizons: A panel discussion features authors Todd Klick, Jeffrey Schecter, Ross Brown, Troy Devolld and Eric Edson. Barnes & Noble, 1201 Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica. 7 p.m. (310) 260-9110.

Jennifer Hudson: The Grammy and Oscar award winner signs copies of her memoir, “I Got This: How I Changed My Ways and Lost What Weighed Me Down.” Barnes & Noble, 189 Grove Drive, the Grove, Los Angeles. 7 p.m. This is a wristbanded event. (323) 525-0270.

Tea Obreht: The author signs her debut novel, “The Tiger’s Wife,” winner of the 2011 Orange Prize for fiction. Mysterious Galaxy, 2810 Artesia Blvd., Redondo Beach. 7:30-8:30 p.m. (310) 542-6000.

Slake After Dark: SoCal fiction writer Aimee Bender will read and discuss her craft with Slake editors. Atwater Crossing, 3245 Casitas Ave., Los Angeles. 7-10 p.m.

Susan Sherman: The novelist will discuss and sign her new book, “The Little Russian.” Diesel A Bookstore, 225 26th St., Santa Monica. 7 p.m. (310) 576-9960.

FRIDAY

Featherless: The monthly reading series features Ebony Williams, Tracy Jeanne Rosenthal and Tim Cummings. Stories,, 1716 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. 8 p.m. (213) 413-3733.

Winifred Gallagher: The behavior science writer discusses and signs “New: Understanding Our Need for Novelty & Change.” Vromans Bookstore, 3729 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. (626) 449-5320.

SATURDAY

Amy Chua: The author of the controversial parenting memoir, “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother,” discusses the pros and cons of a strict upbringing. UCSB Campbell Hall, Building 402, Santa Barbara. 3 p.m. $10-$15. (805) 893-3535.

Antoinette Portis: The children’s book author presents and signs “Princess Super Kitty.” Vromans Bookstore, 3729 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. 10:30 a.m. (626) 449-5320.

Raymond Chandler’s Los Angeles: In a Lonely Place: A four-hour bus tour of downtown, Hollywood and surrounding environs begins with a brunch in the place where the young Chandler drank, played bridge and gained inspiration for the characters and locations that would appear in his classic mystery novel “The Lady in the Lake.” Los Angeles Athletic Club, 431 W. 7th St., L.A. 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. $58. Esotouric Literary Bus Tours, (213) 915-8687.

Dr. Nina Shapiro will be signing “Take a Deep Breath.” Chevalier’s Books, 126 N. Larchmont Blvd., L.A. 1-3 p.m. (323) 465-1334.

Elizabeth George and T. Jefferson Parker present their latest titles, “Believing the Lie,” and “The Jaguar.” Vromans Bookstore, 3729 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. 4 p.m. (626) 449-5320.

Poetry in Motion “McPoetry: Less is Better” is an all-star reunion lineup hosted by Eve Brandstein. Beyond Baroque, 681 Venice Blvd, Venice. 8 p.m. $10 for non-members. (310) 822-3006.

NEXT 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.

Tribute to Christopher Hitchens A morning of remembrance includes 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, “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 L.A. The Last Bookstore, 453 S. Spring St., L.A. 3 p.m.-5 p.m. (213) 488-0599.