Words & Ideas - latimes.com Words & Ideas Compiled by Liesl Bradner. David Marin: The author discusses and signs "This Is Us: The New All-American Family." Vromans Bookstore, 3729 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. 3 p.m. Jeff Garlin: The actor, comedian and author discusses and signs "Curbing It," about how he dedicated an entire season of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" to making over his lifestyle. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. 4 p.m. Brian Herbert: The author signs "Sisterhood of Dune," the 12th novel set in Frank Herbert's classic science fiction universe. Mysterious Galaxy, 2810 Artesia Blvd., Redondo Beach. 2:30-4 p.m. Free. The New Short Fiction Series: The 16th season begins with Elizabeth E. King reading from "Real Conversations With Imaginary Friends." The Federal Bar, 5303 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. 7 p.m. $10 advance, $15 at the door. Big Boy: The radio personality will be signing his weight-loss story, "An XL Life." Eso Won Books, 4331 Degnan Blvd., Los Angeles. 7-9 p.m. Ed Kovacs: The writer discusses and signs his thriller "Storm Damage." Book Soup, 8818 W Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Lisa Niemi Swayze: The wife of Patrick Swayze discusses her book "Worth Fighting For." Barnes & Noble, 189 Grove Drive, The Grove, Los Angeles. Wristband event. Susan Sherman & Adrienne Sharp: The authors discuss their books "The Little Russian" and "The True Memoirs of Little K," Stories, 1716 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. 7:30 p.m. Tom Zoellner: The author and fifth generation Arizonan discusses and signs "A Safeway in Arizona: What the Gabrielle Giffords Shooting Tells Us About the Grand Canyon State and Life in America." Ellis Avery: The author discusses and signs the love story "The Last Nude." Howard Gordon: The executive producer of "24" and co-creator of "Homeland" discusses and signs his latest book, "Hard Target." This is a wristbanded event. Rashad Harrsion: The author will be signing his debut historical novel, "Our Man in the Dark" about a worker in the civil rights movement leading up to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.