Words & Ideas

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich.

SUNDAY
Black Clock Issue 13 Launch: Contributors to the new issue of the Los Angeles-based literary magazine will read: Aimee Bender, Janet Fitch, Jonathan Lethem, Susan Straight and Lisa Teasley. Hosted by Black Clock editor Steve Erickson. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 5 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Douglas Brinkley: The author of "The Quiet World: Saving Alaska's Wilderness Kingdom, 1879-1960" will present and sign his new book. Autry National Center, 4700 Western Heritage Way, L.A. 2 p.m. Free with museum admission. (323) 667-2000.

Five Points Reading Series: Tyler Coburn, Mariah Garnett and Jonesy will read their work. Workspace, 2601 Pasadena Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 223-8086.

Alexandra Grant & Keanu Reeves: The painter and the actor will discuss their new collaborative artist's book, "Ode To Happiness." Art Catalogues Bookstore at LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 4 p.m. Free. (323) 857-6000.

The New Short Fiction Series: A dramatic reading of Townsend Walker's "According To Him." Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, Barnsdall Art Park, 4800 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. $10-$15. (866) 811-4111. http://www.newshortfictionseries.com.

Charles Rappleye: The author of " Robert Morris: Financier of the American Revolution" will present and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 4 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Rhapsodomancy Reading Series: Authors Thaisa Frank, Richard Katrovas, Alexandra Teague and Noriko Nakada will read. Good Luck Bar, 1514 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz. 7:30 p.m. $3. http://www.rhapsodomancy.org.

Slake Issue 2 Reading: Contributors to the new issue of the Los Angeles-based literary magazine will read: Geoff Nicholson, Laurie Ochoa, Victoria Patterson, Sam Slovick, Lauren Weedman, Lawrence Wilson and Mary Woronov. Vroman's Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 6:30 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

MONDAY
The Arab Youth Revolt: A panel discussion featuring James J. Coyle ("Politics in the Middle East: Culture and Conflict") and Nubar Hovsepian ("Palestinian State Formation: Education and the Construction of National Identity"); moderated by Donald Will. Beckman Hall, Chapman University, 1 University Drive, Orange. Noon. Free. (714) 997-6812.

Marion Peck and Mark Ryden: The pop surrealists will present and sign their recent art books, "Marion Peck: Animal Love Summer" and "The Snow Yak Show." La Luz de Jesus Gallery, 4633 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. 5 p.m. Free. (323) 666-7667.

TUESDAY
Austenalia: A panel discussion featuring authors Karen Joy Fowler ("The Jane Austen Book Club"), Diana Birchall ("Mrs. Darcy's Dilemma"), Syrie James ("The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen"), Laurie Viera Rigler ("Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict" and "Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict") and moderator Lynda Hall. Leatherby Libraries, Chapman University, 1 University Drive, Orange. 4 p.m. Free. (714) 628-7355.

Stefan Bucher: The creator of dailymonster.com will present and sign his new book, "You Deserve a Medal: Honors on the Path to True Love." Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Lisa Napoli: The author of "Radio Shangri-La: What I Learned in Bhutan, the Happiest Kingdom on Earth" will present and sign her new book. Vroman's Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

WEDNESDAY
Mira Bartok: The author of "The Memory Palace" will read and sign her new memoir. Vroman's Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Sarah Shun-lien Bynum and Yiyun Li: Aloud at Central Library presents the authors of "Ms. Hempel Chronicles" and "Gold Boy, Emerald Girl," respectively, in conversation with Brighde Mullins, director of the masters of professional writing program at USC. Cocktail reception with the authors follows the Aloud program at 8:15 p.m. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Aloud program free; cocktail reception $25. (213) 228-7025. http://www.aloudla.org.

Peter Cropsey: The author of "Dead Man Waking" will read and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Evgeny Morozov: Zocalo presents a discussion and signing with the author of "The Net Delusion: The Dark Side of Internet Freedom." The Actors' Gang, 9070 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles. 7:30 p.m. Free. http://www.zocalopublicsquare.org.

THURSDAY
Rhoda Janzen: The poet ("Babel's Stair") and author ("Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home") will read and discuss her work. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Yiyun Li: The 2010 MacArthur Fellow will read and sign her latest book, "Gold Boy, Emerald Girl: Stories." Doheny Memorial Library at USC, 3550 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Free; RSVP to mpw@college.usc.edu.

Joan Moran: The author of "Sixty, Sex and Tango: Confessions of a Beatnik Boomer" will read and sign her new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Mark Richard: Host Michael Silverblatt will interview the author of "House of Prayer No. 2: A Writer's Journey Home." Bookworm, 89.9 KCRW-FM, 2:30 p.m. http://www.kcrw.com.

Michael Schaller: The author of " Ronald Reagan" will present and sign his new biography of the 40th president of the United States. Vroman's Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Lisa See: The author of "Peony in Love," "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" and, most recently, "Shanghai Girls," will read and discuss her work. Book signing precedes program from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Pearson Library. Lundring Events Center, California Lutheran University, Main Campus, 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. 7 p.m. Free. (805) 493-3092.

Urdu Poetry Reading: Urdu literature expert and author of the forthcoming "The Noble Science of the Ghazal," Brian Q. Silver, will give a talk and actor Julian Sands will read English versions of the ghazal, the primary genre of Urdu poetry. LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 8 p.m. Free. (323) 857-6000.

FRIDAY
Jasmin Darznik: The author of "The Good Daughter: A Memoir of My Mother's Hidden Life" will present and sign her new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Steve Swayne: The author of "Orpheus in Manhattan: William Schuman and the Shaping of America's Musical Life" will present and sign his new book. Vroman's Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

SATURDAY
Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller: The legendary songwriting duo will present and sign "Hound Dog: The Leiber & Stoller Autobiography." Vroman's Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 5 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Gerald Locklin, Rick Smith and RD Armstrong: Poets with collections published by Lummox Press will read and sign their books. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 5 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Ralph Sassone: The author of "The Intimates" will read and sign his debut novel. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 5 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

NEXT SUNDAY
Hitched: Rebel Writers: Established authors will be paired with emerging writers for a group reading: Stephen Elliott ("The Adderall Diaries") with Antonia Crane, and Brendan Constantine ("Letters to Guns") with Max Kaisler. Hosted by Xochitl-Julisa Bermejo. Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice. 5 p.m. (310) 822-3006.

Taboo: The member of the Black Eyed Peas will present and sign his new book, "Fallin' Up: My Story." Vroman's Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 1 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.