Click It. BEAT picks of the week.

A cute film about young love, by a young California director--Like Crazy. It's showing at the ArcLight and the Landmark, among other Los Angeles-area theaters.

Another easy-on-the eyes college (and beyond) romance--One Day--came out on DVD this week. Just after its star Anne Hathaway's real-life engagement.

Hollywood holiday cards!

Alicia Silverstone, of Clueless fame, and now one of my favorite lifestyle bloggers on thekindlife.com, is hosting a live chat on Tuesday December 6 at 4:00 p.m. PT. Join in!

Keep your hair soft and manageable this winter with Kiehl's Formula 133.

A signed copy of Marilyn: Intimate Exposures would make a great Christmas gift for any fan of the bombshell--and really, who isn't?

Marilyn's favorite face soap: Erno Laszlo Sea Mud Soap (Audrey Hepburn was a fan, too).

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: collider.com

Click It. BEAT picks of the week.

My six-year-old linen Pottery Barn duvet cover finally got so worn/thin it tore, so I'm in the market for a new one. Ever since spotting it in Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, I've loved the idea of the one from The Bowery Hotel (above) at home.

Speaking of The Bowery, my take on a pasta dish from their restaurant, Gemma.

And more food talk -- what to do with your Thanksgiving leftovers.

If you're looking for something gripping to read -- Joan Didion's Blue Nights.

Two films to see this weekend -- A Dangerous Method, and The Artist.

Confession: I tried a chia seed Kombucha (I was so excited to see a grape flavor on the shelf, even the abundance of seeds didn't stop me!) today and was NOT into it. Recommendation: stick with the original.

Bazaar magazine Editor-in-Chief Glenda Bailey will be at Book Soup on Sunday afternoon (4:00 p.m.) discussing and signing Harper's Bazaar: Greatest Hits.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: concierge.com

the BEAT of the week: Henry Rollins at Book Soup.

Love him or hate him, Henry Rollins is a pretty enigmatic guy. From hosting a radio show on KCRW to doing his spoken word performances to music blogging for the LA Weekly, Rollins has become anything but predictable.

And so his next venture, turns out, is a book of photography. Occupants features photography from the man himself, taken all over the world, including far-off places like Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Northern Ireland, Saudi Arabia and South Africa. And as expected, the photos -- accompanied with writings by Rollins -- are stark and honest, providing a deeper commentary.

Hear Rollins tell the stories behind his photos when he appears for a signing at Book Soup this Thursday. Beyond being able to get a signed copy of the book, having the chance to listen to the man speak in person is definitely going to be entertaining and fascinating in and of itself.

Henry Rollins will be signing his new book, Occupants, on Thursday, Oct. 27, at 7pm at Book Soup, located at 8818 Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood.

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: Henry Rollins

Advance Notice. Moby at Book Soup.

Moby (an Angeleno who lives in this awesome Hollywood Hills castle) has a new album and book out, and on Monday he'll be at Book Soup for a signing. There are a few fantastic reviews on Amazon, so if you're already a Moby fan, or just curious about what he's been up to recently (other than eating/hanging out at Oaks Gourmet), check out Destroyed.

Monday September 12 at 7:00 p.m. 8818 Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. Info: booksoup.com, (310) 659-3110

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images North America via zimbio.com

Do It. Maria Menounos signing at Book Soup.

You probably recognize her face, or at least her name, from TV: Today and Access Hollywood.

Maria Menounos has some life tips to share, on everything from organization, to success at work, to weight loss and style. Her new book, Everygirl's Guide to Life, came out April 12, and tonight she'll be at Book Soup to discuss and sign it.

Book Soup is located at 8818 Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. Info: booksoup.com, (310) 659-3110

Friday April 22 at 7:00 p.m.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: conventionscene.com

Advance Notice. Janet Jackson at Book Soup.

Janet Jackson's book, True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself, was released in February, and next month the five-time Grammy winner will be at Book Soup signing it.

The book covers fame, food, depression, and struggles and successes with self-esteem, as well as fitness secrets from her trainer and wholesome recipes from her nutritionist, David Allen.

Friday April 15 at 3:00 p.m.

Book Soup is located at 8818 Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. Info: booksoup.com, (310) 659-3110

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: Harper's Bazaar

Advance Notice. Andre Dubus III to present Townie at Book Soup.

"“Townie” is a better, harder book than anything the younger Mr. Dubus has yet written; it pays off on every bet that’s been placed on him. It’s a sleek muscle car of a memoir that — until it loses traction in clichés about redemption at its very end — growls like an amalgam of the best work by Richard Price, Stephen King, Ron Kovic, Breece D’J Pancake and Dennis Lehane, set to the desolate thumping of Bruce Springsteen’s “Darkness on the Edge of Town.” It could become, and I mean this fondly, one hell of a Ben Affleck movie." How's that for an endorsement? Dwight Garner's words from the New York Times.

Between my Irish heritage, my college visits to BU to see my best friend, and my two trips to Lowell, Mass. in the summer of 2009 to see my boyfriend when he was working on The Fighter, I have a major soft spot for Beantown (and its surroundings). I also love a good memoir.

Author Andre Dubus III will be at Book Soup next week to present and sign Townie. I'd order it on Amazon right now if I wasn't so interested in what he'll have to say (and I really want a signed copy).

March 14 at 7:00 p.m. event free. book is $25.95.

Book Soup is located at 8818 Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. Info: booksoup.com, (310) 659-3110.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: Jake Guevara / The New York Times

Advance Notice. Steve Lopez at Book Soup.

Steve Lopez, one of L.A.'s most popular columnists (who I'm lucky enough to run into at the supermarket sometimes), has a new book out--a compilation of his best columns over the years.

Lopez was portrayed by Robert Downey, Jr. in Joe Wright's 2009 film The Soloist.

He'll be a Book Soup two weeks from tonight to discuss and sign Dreams and Schemes: My Decade of Fun in the Sun (he joined the Los Angeles Times in May 2001).

January 27 at 7:00 p.m.

Book Soup is located at 8818 Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. Info: (310) 659-3110, booksoup.com

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: Paramount Pictures via northbynorthwestern.com

Do It. Craig Semetko signing Unposed.

This new book, Unposed, from photographer Craig Semetko, is a great Christmas gift idea for the photography lover in your life--or for your own coffee table.

To make it extra-special, get it signed on Saturday afternoon at Book Soup, where Semetko will be discussing and signing.

Saturday December 4 at 1:00 p.m.

Book Soup is located at 8818 Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. Info: booksoup.com, (310) 659-3110.

Unposed book is $49.95

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: teneues.com

Do It. Lorin Stein and David Ulin at Book Soup.

This Saturday evening, Lorin Stein of the Paris Review will be in conversation with David Ulin of the Los Angeles Times at Book Soup.

They'll discuss the present tense of the Review, and the role of print journalism in today's world.

As many of you readers know, we BEAT girls met at the Los Angeles Times, so we can tell you first-hand that David Ulin is fabulous and definitely worth seeing at an event such as this.

A couple interviews from the journal worth reading even if you can't attend: Hunter S. Thompson, The Art of Journalism No. 1 (Fall 2000), and R. Crumb, The Art of Comics No. 1 (Summer 2010).

Book Soup is located at 8818 Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. Saturday October 9 at 5:00 p.m. Event is free, and the current issue of the Paris Review is $12.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: theparisreview.org

Advance Notice. Lisa Birnbach at Book Soup.

If you decided to pick up a copy of True Prep--or you're planning on it--you can now get a signed copy. Author Lisa Birnbach will be at Book Soup on Saturday September 25 presenting and signing True Prep: It's a Whole New Old World. If you're a die-hard Official Preppy Handbook fan, I bet (but can't say for sure!) she'd sign that too, especially if you are getting the new book.

Book Soup is located at 8818 Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. Info: booksoup.com, (310) 659-3110.

September 25 at 4:00 p.m.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: laobserved

Advance Notice. David Lynch at Book Soup.

On Monday August 16, David Lynch (Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, Mulholland Dr., Inland Empire) will be at Book Soup signing his new book, Dark Splendor. He'll also sign another piece of memorabilia with the book, if you like. The filmmaker has always been an artist also in other mediums, and this book is a compilation of his work.

If you can't make it to Book Soup, check out the book on Amazon.

Monday August 16 at 7:00 p.m. Book Soup is located at 8818 Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: ninthlink.com

Do It. Fifth Avenue, 5 a.m. book signing at Book Soup.

If you, like me, love Breakfast at Tiffany's, this book is for you. It also might be of interest if you're a fan of film, curious about how films get made, and/or enjoy Truman Capote and/or Audrey Hepburn.

On Monday (July 26) night at Book Soup, author Sam Wasson will be discussing and signing Fifth Avenue, 5 a.m. at 7:00 p.m.

The newly released book has been getting a lot of positive attention, including some from the New York Times.

Book Soup is located at 8818 Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood. Event July 26 at 7:00 p.m.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: harperstudio

Do It. Mary McNamara at Book Soup.

Los Angeles Times television critic Mary McNamara (and author of Oscar Season) will be at Book Soup tonight at 7:00 p.m., presenting and signing her new book, The Starlet.

The 320 page paperback sounds like a fun book to bring to the beach, if you like reading about the drama of young Hollywood. The longtime Times staffer is a talented writer who's sure to bring a level of quality to the subject matter of affairs on set, murder, and drug addiction. There's some Oscar winning in there too, for good measure. Publishers Weekly called it a "seriocomic romp".

Book Soup is located at 8818 Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: Simon & Schuster

Advance Notice. Seth Grahame-Smith at Book Soup.

Mark your calendars ... March 2 at 7:00 p.m., Los Angeles-based author Seth Grahame-Smith will be presenting and signing his new book, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, at L.A.'s best bookstore, Book Soup.

Our 16th president stood 6'4", so he'd probably have made a fine vampire hunter if he wasn't so busy being honest and freeing slaves. Just as Jane Austen's Elizabeth Bennet seemed feisty enough to be a believable zombie slayer, I buy that Abe would be capable of some serious ass-kicking.

Grahame-Smith is currently best known for his bestselling Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, which started the trend for such books as Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters, and the upcoming Jane Slayre, among many others (and even more to come, I'm sure).

Also upcoming at Book Soup--Ed Ruscha. More on that event later!

Book Soup is located at 8818 Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood. The event is free; the book costs $21.99.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: www.hachettebookgroup.com

Do It. Patti Smith book talks/signings.

This week, Patti Smith is making her rounds to present and sign her new book, Just Kids, at Los Angeles' finest bookstores, Book Soup and Skylight Books. She'll be on the Sunset Strip at Book Soup tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m., and at Skylight Books on Vermont on Saturday at 5:00 p.m.

The book is about her youth in New York (hence the title "Just Kids") and relationship with the late, great photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. Based on the excerpt I read in Rolling Stone, it's engrossing. It's inspiration for young people struggling to pursue creative endeavors.

I'm really excited to meet the "Godmother of Punk" and see what she's like in person. The Rock-and-Roll Hall of Famer is definitely one of those people who has stayed cool as she ages. As someone who knew Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Allen Ginsberg, Smith must have a ton of great memories, many of which are recorded in the book.

If you can't make it to the signings, order the book on Amazon!

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: www.rotatingcorpse.com

Do It. Sexy book signings.

I just got back from Boston, land of au naturel beauties donning weather-appropriate, reasonable footwear. I watched them trudge through the ice and snow to their top-ranking universities where they crank out theses about Important Academic Topics. I listened to them talk in coffee shops about professors and studying in Italy and political issues in Latin America. I noticed how dorky their knit panda-bear hats and mismatching outfits really are*. It is certain that these young ladies will contribute great things to this country one day. I observed them, like the alien outsider I now am, and admired.

But what about that rare breed of woman who dares to follow--and successfully hikes--the fabeled, less traveled road? Well, they end up here, in Los Angeles. They bypass internships and take out loans for headshots. Their contributions to society are controversial, glossy, and visceral. But these women are also smart. They know how to market themselves, become great businesswomen. And then they write books, too. Ones that sell, suckas.

They're not rocket scientists. They're porn stars. God love them.

In the great literary tradition of Jenna Jameson (How To Make Love Like a Porn Star was the single best book I read my freshman year of college. Sorry, The Illiad), TWO of these lovely ladies have in-store appearances to promote their latest works at local book stores tonight.

Tera Patrick--who has a degree in Biology--just released her tell-all, Sinner Takes All: A Memoir of Love and Porn, on the 5th and will be hanging out for an intimate reading at Book Soup in West Hollywood.

Burlesque icon and fetish film star Dita Von Teese will be at Daily Planet on Franklin to discuss Dita: Stripteese, a trio of flip books documenting her famous acts--including the legendary Martini Glass Dance. A show-all, if you will.

Both start at 7pm, so choose wisely. My vote is for Patrick. Her title has the more clever pun.

*This is kind of cruel. But after 9 months here, the "collegiate cool" style was so glaringly ridiculous. Really? A beanie with ears? You're twenty.

-- Heather Robertson

Photo credit: booksoup.com

Check It. Watch, Listen, Read.

DVD – A Christmas Tale (2008)

The Criterion Collection DVD release of last year’s A Christmas Tale. Catherine Deneuve stars as the matriarch of a troubled family, together at Christmastime. Criterion describes the French film as "an inventive, magical drama that's equal parts merriment and melancholy." The disc includes a new, restored high-definition digital transfer, two documentaries, and the original theatrical trailers. Also included: a booklet featuring an essay by critic Phillip Lopate.

CD – Alison Iraheta’s Just Like You

The youngest, and perhaps most talented “American Idol” Season 8 finalist releases her debut album today with Jive. Iraheta’s standout performances from the season included a beautiful duet of “Time After Time” with Cyndi Lauper and rocking out to “Slow Ride” with Adam Lambert.

BOOK – My Nepenthe: Bohemian Tales of Food, Family, and Big Sur by Romney Steele

A book about food (with recipes) and family by the granddaughter of the owners of the famous Big Sur restaurant Nepenthe.
Author event tonight, December 1, at Book Soup. 7:00 p.m.

Book Soup is located at 8818 Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins