Book calendar events for the week of August 7, 2011

Words & Ideas

Compiled by Grace Krilanovich.

SUNDAY

Robin Donovan & Juliana Gallin: The authors of “The Lazy Gourmet” will present and sign their new cookbook. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 4 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Mr. Fish: The political cartoonist will present and sign his new book, “Go Fish: How to Win Contempt and Influence People.” Revolution Books/Libros Revolución, 5726 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. 3 p.m. $5-$10. (323) 463-3500.

Kathryn Leigh Scott: The author of “Dark Passages” will read and sign her new supernatural thriller. Diesel Bookstore, 225 26th St., L.A. 3 p.m. Free. (310) 576-9960.

MONDAY

Ned Zeman: The author of “The Rules of the Tunnel: A Brief Period of Madness” will discuss and sign his new memoir. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

TUESDAY

Chris Boucher: The author of “How To Keep Your Volkswagen Alive” will read and sign his debut novel. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

WEDNESDAY

Hunter Drohojowska-Philp: The author of “Rebels in Paradise: The Los Angeles Art Scene and the 1960s” will discuss and sign her new book. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Andy Stern and Robert Johnson: The former president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the former chief economist of the U.S. Senate Banking Committee, respectively, will discuss strategies for restoring the American Dream as part of the Hammer Forum series. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 443-7000.

THURSDAY

Kim Dower: The poet will read and sign her collection, “Air Kissing on Mars,” and give a poetry workshop. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Tracy Seeley: The author of “My Ruby Slippers: The Road Back to Kansas” will read and sign her new memoir. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

Dana Spiotta: Host Michael Silverblatt will interview the author of the novel “Stone Arabia.” Bookworm, 89.9 KCRW-FM, 2:30 p.m. https://www.kcrw.com.

FRIDAY

Hunter Drohojowska-Philp: The author of “Rebels in Paradise” will discuss and sign her new book. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320.

Danielle Spencer-Fields: The actress-turned-veterinarian will present and sign her new memoir, “Through the Fire: Journal of a Child Star.” Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110.

NEXT SUNDAY

Rhapsodomancy Reading Series: Authors Lidia Yuknavitch (“The Chronology of Water”), Camille Roy (“Sherwood Forest”), Janice Lee (“KEROTAKIS”) and Elizabeth J. Colen (“Money for Sunsets”) will read their work. Good Luck Bar, 1514 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz. 7:30 p.m. $3. https://www.rhapsodomancy.org.