Bookweek: Don't miss Mark Doty

Eleven days ago, Mark Doty received the National Book Award for "Fire to Fire," his seventh book of poetry (he also writes nonfiction, and has written about books for the L.A. Times). On Thursday, Dec. 4, he and poets Dana Goodyear and Timothy Steele will read their work and discuss poetry at the L.A. Public Library's ALOUD series at 7 p.m. Robert N. Casper from the Poetry Society of America, the event's co-sponsor, will moderate. Tickets are free; advance registration is recommended. 

Other goodies this week:

Monday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m.
Five L.A. food writers, all contributors to "Eat: Los Angeles," share their tips on where to chow in L.A. At Vroman's Bookstore, Pasadena.

Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m.
Paris Review editor Philip Gourevitch makes an L.A. appearance for "The Paris Review Interviews Volume III." He'll be joined by former Paris Review staffers Mona Simpson, author of "Anywhere but Here," and  Stephen Gaghan, screenwriter of "Traffic" and writer-director of "Syriana." Special guests are also promised. At the Hammer Museum, Westwood.

And you can get a double dose of Denis Leary, who will read from and/or explain "Why We Suck: A Feel-Good Guide to Staying Fat, Lazy and Stupid" at Book Soup on Monday at 7 p.m. and at the Barnes & Noble at the Grove on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

L.A. author Rachel Resnick will do Leary one better and make three appearances this week in support of her new memoir, "Love Junkie." You can find her at the Santa Monica Barnes & Noble on Monday at 7 p.m.; the next night, also at 7 p.m., at Book Soup; and at Village Books in Pacific Palisades on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

— Carolyn Kellogg

Photos: Mark Doty, left, by Matthew Stroshane, Dana Goodyear by Lauren Dukoff and Timothy Steele