Pick five: Oscar Hijuelos and other L.A.-area author events you shouldn’t miss
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Oscar Hijuelos scored a Pulitzer Prize 20 years ago for his novel “The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love” – and if you had to pick a single book event to attend this week, his conversation with NPR correspondent Mandalit Del Barco is a sure thing. “An Evening with Oscar Hijuelos” promises not just to zero-in on his best-known book, but his many acclaimed novels, memoir and the issues of faith and identity that he has examined during his career.
Other worthwhile events in this week’s “pick five” include a discussion of L.A.’s less-considered sides at Vroman’s and a visit to Book Soup by cast members from the 1965 movie “The Sound of Music.” Check directly with bookstores and venues for any time changes or cancellations.
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Monday , 7 p.m. An event sponsored by Zócalo/UCLA considers the influence of social scientist James Q. Wilson on Los Angeles in a panel moderated by UCLA Public Policy analyst Mark Kleiman and featuring LAPD chief Charlie Beck, Pepperdine University economist Angela Hawken, and UCLA political scientist Mark Peterson.
Thursday, 8 p.m. LiveTalks L.A. presents “An Evening with Oscar Hijuelos,” featuring the author in conversation about his life and work with NPR correspondent Mandalit Del Barco, Track 16 at Bergamot Station, Santa Monica.
Thursday, 7 p.m. Tired of the tourist’s version of L.A.? Laura Pulido and Wendy Cheng will discuss and sign their book “A People’s Guide to Los Angeles,” Vroman’s Bookstore.
Friday, 6 p.m. Barnes & Noble in Rancho Cucamonga presents the Associated Artists of the Inland Empire’s Second Annual Gallery Opening, art show and bookfair. It begins with a gallery ribbon-cutting at 6 p.m.
Saturday 3 p.m. Cast members from the movie “The Sound of Music” – Charmian Carr, Angela Cartwright and Kym Karath – sign “The Sound of Music Family Scrapbook,” Book Soup .
-- Nick Owchar