The Guide: Words & Ideas

Words & Ideas

TODAY

Greg Hise Aloud at Central Library presents “Ground Truth: How We Talk About Los Angeles and Why This Matters,” a conversation between the urban historian and D.J. Waldie, author of “Holy Land.” www.aloudla.org. Richard J. Riordan Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 2 p.m. Free. (213) 228-7025.

Jeff Kaliss The author of “I Want to Take You Higher” will present and sign his new biography of Sly and the Family Stone. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 5 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Martha Ronk and Eleni Sikelianos The two poets will present and sign their new books. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 5 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Vermin on the Mount Jim Ruland hosts this bimonthly reading series; this installment will feature Gary Amdahl (“Visigoth”), Dan Kaplan (“Bill’s Formal Complaint”) and Janet Fitch (“Paint It Black”). www.vermin.blogs.com. Mountain, 473 Gin Ling Way, L.A. 8 p.m. Free.

MONDAY

Margaret Leslie Davis The author of “Mona Lisa in Camelot” will present and sign her new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Toshio Okada The author of “Sayonara, Mr. Fatty” will present and sign his new memoir. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

TUESDAY

Lynda Barry & Matt Groening The author and illustrator of the comic strip “Ernie Pook’s Comeek Featuring the Incomparable Marlys and Freddy” and the books “Cruddy” and “One! Hundred! Demons!” will join the “Simpsons” creator in conversation for the Hammer Conversations series. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

Mike Daly The author of “Time Flies When You’re in a Coma” will present and sign his new book of heavy metal meditations, daily affirmations and words of wisdom. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Annie Leibovitz The photographer will present and sign her new book, “Annie Leibovitz at Work.” Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (877) 722-4849.

Jodi Wing The author of “The Art of Social War” will read and sign her new novel. Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

WEDNESDAY

An Evening With Toni Morrison Aloud at Central Library presents the Nobel Prize-winning author in conversation with Times Book Review editor David. L. Ulin. www.aloudla.org. Aratani/Japan America Theatre, 244 S. San Pedro St., L.A. 7:30 p.m. $10-$20; full, standby only. (213) 228-7025.

Tony O’Neill and Dan Fante The authors of “Down and Out on Murder Mile” and “Kissed by a Fat Waitress,” respectively, will read and sign their new novels. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

Kristin Tillquist The author of “Capitalizing on Kindness” will present and sign her new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

David Wild The author of “He Is . . . I Say: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Neil Diamond” will present and sign his new book about the legendary songsmith. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

THURSDAY

Trinie Dalton The author will present and sign her latest book, an anthology on the subject of metaphysical and supernatural phenomena titled “Mythtym.” Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. (323) 660-1175.

FRIDAY

Ami Silber The author of “Early Bright” will read and sign her debut novel. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. (626) 449-5320.

Kelly Slater The acclaimed surfer will present and sign his new book, “For the Love.” Diesel Bookstore, 3890 Cross Creek Road, Malibu. 6:30 p.m. Free. (310) 456-9961.

Speak Easy: An Evening of Spoken Word and Live Jazz Pianist Patrice Rushen and author Sandra Tsing Loh (“Mother on Fire”) team up for an eclectic evening of improvisational collaboration. Culver Events Center, 11948 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City. 8 p.m. Reservations recommended. (310) 253-5716.

SATURDAY

Adam Braver The author of “November 22, 1963” will present his new book about the Kennedy assassination. Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 5 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Dashiell Hammett . . . in L.A.? Zócalo Public Square Lecture Series presents a panel of writers, Hammett family members and scholars in an event wrapping up a monthlong celebration of the author, whose many works of hard-boiled detective fiction include “The Maltese Falcon” and “The Thin Man.” Gallery Theatre, Barnsdall Art Park, 4800 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. 11 a.m. Free. (213) 403-0416.

Frances Dinkelspiel The author of “Towers of Gold” will read and discuss her new biography of her great-great-grandfather Isaias Hellman. Rancho Los Alamitos Historic Ranch and Gardens, 6400 Bixby Hill Road, Long Beach. 9:30 a.m. Free. (562) 431-3541.

Steve Lopez The Times columnist and author of “ The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship and the Redemptive Power of Music” will read and sign his new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 4 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.