Words & Ideas

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich.

SUNDAY

Robin Benway: The author will read and sign her new novel, "The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May and June." Diesel Bookstore, 225 26th St., L.A. 3 p.m. Free. (310) 576-9960.

Gregory Boyle: The founder of Homeboy Industries and author of "Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion" will read and discuss his new book. St. Monica's Church, 725 California Ave., Santa Monica. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 454-4063. http://www.palivillagebooks.com.

Gregory Orfalea: The author of "The Man Who Guarded the Bomb" will read and sign his new collection of stories. Vroman's Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 6 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Mathew Timmons: The author of "Credit" will present and sign his experimental novel. Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions (LACE), 6522 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. 2 p.m. Free. (323) 957-1777.

Weetzie Bat: A Staged Reading: Actors Chelsea Staub, Brant Daugherty, Shannon Sturges, Kurt Collins, EG Daily, Aaron Ashmore, Crystal Mantecon and Jason Seitz will read selections from Francesca Lia Block's slinkster-cool ode to L.A., in honor of the book's 15 year anniversary. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 6 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

MONDAY

Christopher Long: The author of "A Shot of Poison: An Insider's Tales of One of Rock's Most Outrageous Bands" will present and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Gary Shteyngart: The author will read and sign his new novel, "Super Sad True Love Story." Vroman's Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

TUESDAY

Funny but True: An Evening With Shelley Berman and Sandra Tsing Loh: USC's Master of Professional Writing Program presents the authors/humorists in a reading and storytelling event that will include students from the program's Comic Storytelling Workshop. USC, Mark Taper Hall, 3501 Trousdale Parkway, L.A. 7:30 p.m. RSVP to mpw@college.usc.edu.

Gary Shteyngart: The author of "Absurdistan" and "The Russian Debutante's Handbook" returns with a new novel, "Super Sad True Love Story." Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 440-4500.

Greg Wolfe: The author of "How to Make Love to a Plastic Cup: A Guy's Guide to the World of Infertility" will present and sign his new book. Vroman's Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Jill Zarin: The author of "Secrets of a Jewish Mother: Real Advice, Real Stories, Real Love" will present and sign her new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

WEDNESDAY

Taylor Plimpton: The author of "Notes from the Night: A Life After Dark" will read and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Mary Roach: The author of "Spook," "Bonk" and "Stiff" will read and sign her new book, "Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void." Vroman's Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

THURSDAY

Danica McKellar: The actress/mathematician will present and sign her new book, "Hot X: Algebra Exposed" Vroman's Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

David Mitchell: Host Michael Silverblatt will interview the author on the subject of his new novel "The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet." Bookworm, 89.9 KCRW-FM, 2:30 p.m. http://www.kcrw.com.

Ray Charles Robinson, Jr.: The author of "You Don't Know Me: Reflections of My Father, Ray Charles" will present and sign his new book. Eso Won Books, 4331 Degnan Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 290-1048.

Donna Santisi: The author of "Ask the Angels" will present and sign the new special edition reissue of her 1978 photography book, documenting the fledgling LA punk scene. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Ed Templeton: The artist, author and professional skateboarder will discuss his work with Juxtapoz magazine co-founders Greg Escalante and CR Stecyk III, moderated by Joseph Dugan. Booksigning to follow. Orange County Museum of Art, 850 San Clemente Drive, Newport Beach. 6 p.m. Free with museum admission. (949) 759-1122.

FRIDAY

Slake Group Reading: Contributors to the new Los Angeles-based literary magazine Jervey Tervalon, Michelle Huneven, John Powers, Jonathan Gold and Erica Zora Wrightson will read their work. Vroman's Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Melora Walters: The poet/actress will read and sign her debut collection, "Sonnets and Failures." Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

SATURDAY

A Birthday Tribute to Charles Bukowski: Celebrate the life and work of the hard-drinking scribe, who would have been 90 years old, with Skylight Books and the Goethe-Institut. Special guests include Sue Hodson, manuscript curator for the Huntington Library's Bukowski Archive, and Buke's friend, poet Gerald Locklin. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 8 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Dr. Norman Leaf: The plastic surgeon will present and sign his new book, "Are Those Real?: True Tales of Plastic Surgery From Beverly Hills." Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

A Spelling Bee for Cheaters: 826LA presents a tournament of verbal smarts and fraudulence. Contestants can order off a "menu of cheats" for a price, (i.e., ask your team for $250, use a dictionary for $750, invent a word for $1500) to edge out the competition — and help a non-profit while they're at it. Lincoln Middle School Auditorium, 1501 California Ave., Santa Monica. 2 p.m. (213) 413-3388. http://www.826la.org.

NEXT SUNDAY

Rhapsodomancy Reading Series: Authors Marisa Matarazzo, Mariana Dietl, Matthew Shindell and Steven Reigns will read their work. Good Luck Bar, 1514 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz. 7:30 p.m. $3. (213) 503-1729. http://www.rhapsodomancy.org.