Words & Ideas: Book calendar for the week of June 13, 2010.

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich.

SUNDAY

Lisa Brackmann: The author of “Rock Paper Tiger” will read and sign her debut novel. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 4 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Drew Friedman: The venerable caricaturist will discuss his work and sign his books, which include “Old Jewish Comedians,” “The Fun Never Stops” and the forthcoming “Too Soon? Celebrity Portraits.” Family, 436 N. Fairfax Ave., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 782-9221.

Daniel Handler: The author will discuss and sign his books — those written in his own name and under his well-known pseudonym “Lemony Snicket.” Handler will be joined by author-illustrator Lisa Brown (“Baby Be of Use”). Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. 2 p.m. $10-$12; children $6. (310) 440-4500.

The New Short Fiction Series: The series’ 7th Annual Emerging Voices Group Show will feature dramatic readings of fiction by Tommy Kim, Beth Escott Newcomer, Laurie O’Brien, Daniel Sanchez, Joel Smith and Julie Stern. Barnsdall Art Park, 4800 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. 7 p.m. $10-$15. (866) 811-4111. https://www.newshortfictionseries.com

Old Testament Imagery: An Interfaith Dialogue: This panel discussion, held in conjunction with the exhibition “The Old Testament in Medieval Manuscript Illumination,” will feature Rabbi Ed Feinstein (author, “Jews and Judaism in the Twenty-First Century”), Rev. Alexei Smith and art historian Jeremy Glatstein. Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Drive, L.A. 1:30 p.m. Free. (310) 440-7300.

Rhapsodomancy Reading Series: Authors Jillian Lauren (“Some Girls”), Kevin Moffett (“Permanent Visitors”), Heather Derr-Smith (“The Bride Minaret”) and Joe Hall (“Pigafetta Is My Wife”) will read. Good Luck Bar, 1514 Hillhurst Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. $3. https://www.rhapsodomancy.org

Vermin on the Mount: Jim Ruland hosts this bi-monthly reading series; the latest installment will feature authors Marisa Silver (“Alone with You”), Patrick Somerville (“The Cradle”), Maria Semple (“This One Is Mine”) and James Greer (“The Failure”). Mountain, 473 Gin Ling Way, L.A. 8 p.m. Free. https://www.vermin.blogs.com

Dora Wang: The author of “The Kitchen Shrink” will present and sign her new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 4 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

MONDAY

Abby Dees: The author of “Queer Questions Straight Talk: 108 Frank and Provocative Questions It’s OK to Ask Your Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual Loved One” will present and sign her new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Kathleen McGowan: The author of “The Poet Prince” will read and sign her new novel. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

TUESDAY

Jonathan Alter: Zócalo presents a discussion and signing with the author of “The Promise: President Obama, Year One.” The Rand Corp., 1776 Main St., Santa Monica. 7 p.m. Free. https://www.zocalopublicsquare.org

Janelle Brown: The author will read and sign her new novel, “This Is Where We Live.” Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Cat Cora: The “Iron Chef America” star will present and sign her new cookbook, “Cat Cora’s Classics with a Twist: Fresh Takes on Favorite Dishes.” Diesel Bookstore, 225 26th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 576-9960.

Michelle Huneven: The author, whose most recent novel is “Blame,” will read and discuss her work. Glendale Public Library, 222 E. Harvard St., Glendale. 7 p.m. Free. (818) 548-2040.

John Ashbery’s Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror: Aloud at Central Library presents a multi-media staged reading of Ashbery’s notable 1975 poem, featuring poets and writers Joan Arnold, Times staff writer Tom Curwen, David Kipen, Jim Paul, Louise Steinman and Terry Wolverton. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. https://www.aloudla.org

Mary McNamara: The author of “The Starlet” will read and sign her new novel. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Brando Skyhorse: The author of “The Madonnas of Echo Park” will read and sign his debut novel. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

WEDNESDAY

Bloomsday at the Hammer: Celebrate the 106th anniversary of that landmark day in literary history, June 16, 1904 — the one-day timeframe within which Joyce’s epic novel “Ulysses” takes place. Festivities include a documentary film screening, live music, staged readings and a Guinness happy hour. Held in conjunction with an exhibit of early editions of “Ulysses” that runs from June 14-18 at UCLA’s Charles E. Young Research Library. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 2-10 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Anthony Bourdain: The globetrotting chef and author will discuss and sign his new book, “Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook.” Royce Hall, UCLA, 340 Royce Drive, L.A. 8 p.m. $35-$175. (310) 825-2101.

Michael Koryta: The author of “So Cold the River” will read and sign his new thriller. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Lit Thing Book Bash: Local authors talk about books they love — or love to hate — at this recurring event. This installment will feature Mark Haskell Smith (“Baked”), Erika Schickel (“You’re Not the Boss of Me: Adventures of a Modern Mom”), Amy Goldman Koss (“Side Effects”), Justine Musk (“Uninvited”) and host Cecil Castellucci (“Rose Sees Red”). Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Molly Ringwald: The actress will sign her new book, “Getting the Pretty Back: Friendship, Family and Finding the Perfect Lipstick.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

THURSDAY

Marina Anderson: The late actor’s ex-wife will present and sign her new book, “ David Carradine: The Eye of My Tornado.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Hector Aristizabal and Diane Lefer: The authors of “The Blessing Next to the Wound: A Story of Art, Activism and Transformation” will discuss and sign their new book. Eso Won Books, 4331 Degnan Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 290-1048.

Dominique Browning: The author of “Slow Love: How I Lost My Job, Put on My Pajamas and Found Happiness” will present and sign her new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Colson Whitehead: The author of the novels “The Intuitionist,” “John Henry Days” and, most recently, “Sag Harbor” will read and discuss his work as part of the Hammer’s New American Writing series. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

James Workman: Aloud at Central Library presents the author of “Heart of Dryness: How the Last Bushmen Can Help Us Endure the Coming Age of Permanent Drought” in conversation with Tim Brick, Board Chair of the Metropolitan Water District. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025. https://www.aloudla.org

FRIDAY

Pat Benatar: The powerhouse vocalist will present and sign her new memoir, “Between a Heart and a Rock Place.” Borders Books & Music, 1360 Westwood Blvd., Westwood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 475-3444.

Sloane Crosley: The author of “I Was Told There’d Be Cake” will read and sign her new collection of essays, “How Did You Get This Number.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Cammie McGovern: The author of “Neighborhood Watch” will read and sign her new mystery novel. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

SATURDAY

Jennifer Egan: The author of “A Visit from the Goon Squad” will read and sign her new novel. Diesel Bookstore, 225 26th St., L.A. 3 p.m. Free. (310) 576-9960.

Rachel Rosenthal: The interdisciplinary artist and educator will present and sign her new book, “The DbD Experience: Chance Knows What It’s Doing!” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.