Book calendar events for the week of July 31, 2011

Words & Ideas

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich.

SUNDAY

Ben Loory and Grace Krilanovich: The authors of “Stories for Nighttime and Some for the Day” and “The Orange Eats Creeps” will read and sign their respective books. Mystery & Imagination Bookshop, 238 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. 3 p.m. Free. (818) 545-0121.

Michael C. McMillen and Ry Cooder: A book signing and conversation with artist McMillen, whose new book, “Michael McMillen: Train of Thought,” was recently published in conjunction with his current retrospective exhibition at LACMA, and musician Cooder. They will recall “tall tales and whoppers” from life in old Santa Monica. Art Catalogues Bookstore at LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 4 p.m. Free. (323) 857-6000.

Simon Reynolds: The author of “Retromania: Pop Culture’s Addiction to Its Own Past” will discuss and sign his new book. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 5 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Vermin on the Mount 7th Anniversary Reading: The bimonthly series hosted by Jim Ruland celebrates seven years of irreverent readings in Chinatown. This installment will feature authors Charles Yu (“How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe”), Andrew Foster Altschul (“Deus ex Machina”), Matty Byloos (“Don’t Smell the Floss”), Jim Freed and Jason Napoli Brooks. Mountain Bar, 473 Gin Ling Way, L.A. 8 p.m. Free. https://www.vermin.blogs.com.

MONDAY

Alison Arngrim: The actress will present and sign her book, “Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Denise Richards: The actress will present and sign her new autobiography, “The Real Girl Next Door.” Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

TUESDAY

Jeff Mudgett: The author of “Bloodstains” will discuss and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

WEDNESDAY

Eve Babitz and Hunter Drohojowska-Philp in Conversation: Babitz, the American author (“Eve’s Hollywood,” “Slow Days”) who posed nude with Marcel Duchamp during his 1963 retrospective at the Pasadena Art Museum, is a key figure in a new book, “Rebels in Paradise: The Los Angeles Art Scene and the 1960s,” by journalist and art critic Drohojowska-Philp. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Chris Abani, Francisco Aragon and Jenny Factor: The three poets, each published by LA-based Red Hen Press, will read their work. Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica. 6:30 p.m. Free. https://www.redhen.org.

Kenneth Sonny Donato: The author of “A Poet’s Guide to The Bars” will present and sign his new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

THURSDAY

Steve Grody: The graffiti historian and author of “Graffiti L.A.: Street Styles and Art” will discuss the stylistic evolution of LA graffiti. Pasadena Museum of California Art, 490 E. Union St., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free with museum admission. (626) 568-3665, Ext. 17.

Sapphire: Part two of host Michael Silverblatt’s interview with the author of the new novel, “The Kid.” Bookworm, 89.9 KCRW-FM, 2:30 p.m. https://www.kcrw.com.

John Burnham Schwartz: The author will read and sign his new novel, “Northwest Corner.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

FRIDAY

Melissa Febos: The author of “Whip Smart” will read and sign her new memoir. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

David Meltzer and Julie Rogers: Meltzer, whose most recent collection is “When I Was a Poet,” and poet Rogers will read their work. Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice. 7:30 p.m. $5-$7. (310) 822-3006.

Hollister Rand: The author of “I’m Not Dead, I’m Different: Kids in Spirit Teach Us About Living a Better Life on Earth” will discuss and sign her new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

SATURDAY

Poets from New Mexico: Corrie Greathouse, Jessica Helen Lopez, Cassandra Love and Gina Marselle will read their work. Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice. 4 p.m. $5-$7. (310) 822-3006.