Book calendar events for the week of August 14, 2011

Words & Ideas

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich.

SUNDAY

Georgia Jones-Davis and Hilda Weiss: The poets will read and sign their respective new collections, “Blue Poodle” and “Optimism About Trees.” Diesel Bookstore, 225 26th St., L.A. 3 p.m. Free. (310) 576-9960.

Paul Mazursky and Sam Wasson: The subject and the author of “Paul on Mazursky” will present and sign the new book about the film director’s work. Every Picture Tells A Story, 1333 Montana Ave., Santa Monica. 6:30 p.m. Free. (310) 451-2700.

Rhapsodomancy Reading Series: Authors Lidia Yuknavitch (“The Chronology of Water”), Camille Roy (“Sherwood Forest”), Janice Lee (“KEROTAKIS”) and Elizabeth J. Colen will read their work. Good Luck Bar, 1514 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz. 7:30 p.m. $3. https://www.rhapsodomancy.org.

MONDAY

Marc Wanamaker: The author of “San Fernando Valley” will present and sign his new book from the Images of America series. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

TUESDAY

Jane Fonda: The actress will present and sign her new book, “Prime Time: Love, Sex, Fitness, Friendship, Spirit — Making the Most of All of Your Life.” Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 6:30 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Judy Miller: The author of “Emus Loose in Egnar: Big Stories from Small Towns” will discuss and sign her new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

WEDNESDAY

Katie Alender: The author of “From Bad to Cursed: A Bad Girls Don’t Die Novel” will read and sign her new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Jack Grisham: The TSOL frontman will present and sign his new memoir, “An American Demon.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Michael Hiltzik: The Times columnist and author of “Colossus: Hoover Dam and the Making of the American Century” will discuss and sign his new book. Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. 7:30 p.m. Free. (626) 405-2100.

THURSDAY

Dan Caldwell: The author of “Vortex of Conflict: U.S. Policy Toward Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq” will discuss and sign his new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Sandra Hunter & Herta Feely: The editors of “Confessions: Fact or Fiction” will be joined by contributor George Nicholas for a reading and signing of the new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Penn Jillette: The entertainer will discuss his new book, “God No!: Signs You May Already Be an Atheist and Other Magical Tales,” with actor-comedian Kevin Pollak. Writer’s Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills. 7:30 p.m. $20. https://www.writersblocpresents.com.

Mona Simpson: The author will discuss her latest novel, “My Hollywood,” with journalist Larry Wilson. Book signing to follow. Santa Monica Public Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 458-8600.

Art Spiegelman: Host Michael Silverblatt will interview the author of “MetaMaus: A Look Inside a Modern Classic, Maus.” Bookworm, 89.9 KCRW-FM, 2:30 p.m. https://www.kcrw.com.

FRIDAY

David Levien: The author of “Thirteen Million Dollar Pop: A Frank Behr Novel” will read and sign his new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

SATURDAY

The Aurora Beyond Salon: Beyond Baroque presents a reading and discussion with poets Suzanne Lummis, John Harris and Bill Mohr. Villa Aurora, 520 Paseo Miramar, Pacific Palisades. 3 p.m. (310) 454-4231. https://www.beyondbaroque.org.