Book calendar

Words & Ideas

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich.

SUNDAY

Dan Fante: The author of “86’d” will read and sign his novel. Diesel Bookstore, 3890 Cross Creek Road, Malibu. 3 p.m. Free. (310) 456-9961.

Ralph Hulett: The author of “ Led Zeppelin: Good Times, Bad Times” will present and sign his new photography book charting the band’s rise to fame and infamy. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 4 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Karline McLain: The author of “ India’s Immortal Comic Books: Gods, Kings and Other Heroes” will discuss her book in light of the museum’s current exhibition “Heroes and Villains: The Battle for Good in India’s Comics.” Brown Auditorium at LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 2 p.m. Free. (323) 857-6000.

The New Short Fiction Series: A dramatic reading of Andrea Lisa Leeb’s “Painted Bicycles and Other Stories” featuring performers Sally Shore, Jennifer Ann Evans, Jesse Holcomb and Buckley Sampson. Barnsdall Art Park, 4800 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. 7 p.m. $10-$15. (323) 662-7900. www.newshortfictionseries.com.

Vermin on the Mount: The latest installment of the bimonthly reading series hosted by author Jim Ruland will include authors Vanina Marsot (“Foreign Tongue”), Porochista Khakpour (“Sons and Other Flammable Objects”), Goodloe Byron (“The Abstract”) and Vicki Forman (“This Lovely Life”). Mountain Bar, 473 Gin Ling Way, L.A. 8 p.m. Free. www.vermin.blogs.com.

MONDAY

Jasper Fforde: The author of “Thursday Next” will read and sign his new novel, “Shades of Grey.” All Saints Episcopal Church, 132 N. Euclid Ave., Pasadena. 7 p.m. $5; $25.95 includes admission and copy of book. (626) 449-5320. www.vromansbookstore.com.

Margaret Killjoy: The editor of “Mythmakers & Lawbreakers: Anarchist Writers on Fiction” will present and sign the new anthology. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

TUESDAY

Amy Alkon: The author of “I See Rude People: One Woman’s Battle to Beat Some Manners into Impolite Society” will present and sign her new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Jasper Fforde: The author of “Shades of Grey” will read and sign his new novel. Borders, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Century City. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 552-1411.

Temple Grandin: Aloud at Central Library presents the author of “Animals in Translation” in a discussion of her latest book, “Animals Make Us Human.” Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Full; standby only. (213) 228-7025. www.aloudla.org.

Patriots for Profit: The Rise and Corporate Warrior: A discussion with retired U.S. Marine officer Thomas X. Hammes and author Robert Young Pelton (“Licensed to Kill: Hired Guns in the War”); moderated by Ian Masters, host of KPFK’s “Background Briefing.” Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

WEDNESDAY

Tom Hayden: The activist, politician and author will present and sign his new book, “The Long Sixties: From 1960 to Barack Obama.” Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Chris Mitchell: The author of “Cast Member Confidential: A Disneyfied Memoir” will read and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Daniel H. Pink: The author of “A Whole New Mind” will discuss and sign his new book, “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us.” All Saints Episcopal Church, 132 N. Euclid Ave., Pasadena. 7 p.m. $5; $26.95 includes admission and copy of book. (626) 449-5320. www.vromansbookstore.com.

THURSDAY

Linda Chase: The author of “Picturing Las Vegas” will present and sign her new book. Village Books, 1049 Swarthmore Ave., Pacific Palisades. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 454-4063.

Robert Crais: The author will read and sign his latest thriller, “The First Rule.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Atul Gawande: Aloud at Central Library presents the surgeon and author of “The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right” in conversation with health economist Dana Goldman. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Full; standby only. (213) 228-7025. www.aloudla.org.

Christopher Knight: The Otis and Santa Monica College art departments presents a lecture by the Times art critic on criticism, journalism and looking at art. Broad Stage, Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 665-6827. www.otis.edu.

FRIDAY

Robert Crais: The author of “The First Rule” will read and sign his new novel. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

SATURDAY

Ingrid Croce: The late folk musician’s widow will present and sign her new book, “ Jim Croce Anthology: The Stories Behind the Songs.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 5 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.