Author Author: Literary events for week of Dec. 1

For more events or to list author events in our calendar, visit the Press Democrat's events listings at pressdemocrat.com

SUNDAY (Dec 1)

Sim Van der Ryn, "Designs for an Empathic World," 1 p.m., In Design for an Empathic World Van der Ryn shares his thoughts and experience about the design of our world today. With a focus on the strengths and weaknesses in our approach to the design of our communities, regions, and buildings he looks at promising trends and projects that demonstrate how we can help create a better world for others and ourselves. Architects, urban designers, and students of architecture will all enjoy this beautifully illustrated book drawing on a rich and revered career of a noted leader in their field. Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera. (415) 927-0960, bookpassage.com.

MONDAY (Dec 2)

Casey Fitzsimmons and Haiku poet Kate Godsey, A-Muse-ing, 6:45 p.m., Aqus Cafe, 189 H Street, Petaluma. Open mic sign-ups at 6:30 p.m. For updates: facebook.com/RivertownPoetsAMuseingMondays

MONDAY (Dec 2)

Amy Tan, "The Valley of Amazement,"7 p.m., Amy Tan's The Valley of Amazement is a sweeping, evocative epic of two women's intertwined fates and their search for identity, that moves from the lavish parlors of Shanghai courtesans to the fog-shrouded mountains of a remote Chinese village. Spanning more than forty years and two continents, The Valley of Amazement resurrects pivotal episodes in history: from the collapse of China's last imperial dynasty, to the rise of the Republic, the explosive growth of lucrative foreign trade and anti-foreign sentiment, to the inner workings of courtesan houses and the lives of the foreign "Shanghailanders" living in the International Settlement, both erased by World War II. Copperfield's Books, 140 Kentucky St., Petaluma. 762-0563, copperfieldsbooks.com.

TUESDAY (Dec. 3)

Gary Vaynerchuck, "Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook," 7:30 p.m., When managers and marketers outline their social media strategies, they plan for the "right hook"—their next sale or campaign that's going to knock out the competition. Even companies committed to jabbing—patiently engaging with customers to build the relationships crucial to successful social media campaigns—want to land the punch that will take down their opponent or their customer's resistance in one blow. Right hooks convert traffic to sales and easily show results. Except when they don't. Thanks to massive change and proliferation in social media platforms, the winning combination of jabs and right hooks is different now. Vaynerchuk shows that while communication is still key, context matters more than ever. It's not just about developing high-quality content, but developing high-quality content perfectly adapted to specific social media platforms and mobile devices—content tailor-made for Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and Tumblr. Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera. (415) 927-0960, bookpassage.com.

THURSDAY (Dec 5)

Mark Nepo, "Reduced to Joy," 7 p.m., Mark Nepo is emerging as one of the truly significant writers and thinkers of today. Nepo has a singular way of distilling great truths down to their essence. Moreover, during his cancer journey, Nepo relied on the power of expression and the writing process to keep him tethered to life. In Reduced to Joy, Mark Nepo explores the places where pain and joy are stitched to resilience, uncovering them with deep wisdom, poetic passages and personal revelations. Nepo reminds us all of the secret and sacred places within, forgotten in the noise and chatter of our busy distracted 21st Century lives. Reduced to Joy is a lesson in stillness, in standing in the mystery and, above all, in the work of love. Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera. (415) 927-0960, bookpassage.com.

FRIDAY (Dec 6)

Michael Connelly, "The Gods of Guilt," 6 p.m., Mickey Haller gets the text, "Call me ASAP - 187," and the California penal code for murder immediately gets his attention. Murder cases have the highest stakes and the biggest paydays, and they always mean Haller has to be at the top of his game. When Mickey learns that the victim was his own former client, a prostitute he thought he had rescued and put on the straight and narrow path, he knows he is on the hook for this one. He soon finds out that she was back in LA and back in the life. Far from saving her, Mickey may have been the one who put her in danger. Haunted by the ghosts of his past, Mickey must work tirelessly and bring all his skill to bear on a case that could mean his ultimate redemption or proof of his ultimate guilt. Dinners to Die For, Fountaingrove Inn, 101 Fountaingrove Parkway, Santa Rosa, copperfieldsbooks.com.

SATURDAY (Dec 7)

Ed Rosenthal, "Protect Your Garden," 4 p.m., What's happening in your garden? Have the aphids landed on your rosebuds? (Maybe you're still wondering what those tiny green bugs are.) Is there mold or brown spots on the leaves of your plants? Has there been a deer sighting? Gardeners are in a constant struggle against the inevitable parade of adversaries that threaten your favorite plants. Now there's a new gardening tool to help you win the fight. Ed Rosenthal's troubleshooting guide is here to show exactly what's plaguing your plants. The book divides problems into four color-coded sections—pests, diseases, nutrient deficiencies, and environmental stresses—and it's filled with photos of insects, infections, and leaf damage—the things you don't necessarily plan for or want to see. Then it goes on to present eco-friendly solutions—safe for you, your family, and the planet. Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera. (415) 927-0960, bookpassage.com.

To submit book events for consideration in this column, contact Sara Peyton at sara.peyton@gmail.com at least three weeks in advance of the event.