saturday/3

Michael Krasny. Author and host of KQED Radio’s “Forum” discusses “Spiritual Envy: An Agnostic’s Quest.” At Burlingame Hall, 501 Primrose Road, Burlingame. 7 p.m. $8-$10. www.shir-shalom.org.

David Misch. Author of “Funny: The Book” discusses the history of comedy. Part of Contra Costa Jewish Book Festival. At Congregation B’nai Shalom, 74 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. 7:30 p.m. $15, includes wine and dessert reception. www.jfed.org/bookfestival.

sunday/4

“The Best of My Story.” Readings by local contributors to book celebrating the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society’s 130-year anniversary. With refreshments and musical interlude. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 2 p.m. $18 suggested. www.paloaltojcc.org.

Lisa Alcalay Klug. Author discusses “Hot Mamalah: The Ultimate Guide for Every Woman of the Tribe.” At Congregation Beth Israel, 1630 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. 5 p.m. $5-$15. www.cbiberkeley.org.

Rabbi Harold Kushner. Bestselling author discusses “When Bad Things Happen to Good People.” At Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 7 p.m. Free. www.marinjcc.org.

monday/5

Deborah Strobin and Ilie Wacs. Sibling authors discuss “An Uncommon Journey,” their story of escaping the Holocaust and fleeing to Shanghai. At Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F. 6 p.m. $7-$20, members free. www.commonwealthclub.org.

wednesday/7

Matti Friedman. Author and Associated Press correspondent in Israel discusses “The Aleppo Codex: A Sacred Book’s Scandalous History,” about a 10th-century Hebrew Bible. At JCC of San Francisco, 3200 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. $10-$15. www.jccsf.org.

thursday/8

Alex Kershaw. Author discusses “The Liberator,” about a World War II soldier’s journey from the beaches of Sicily to Dachau. Part of Contra Costa Jewish Book Festival. At Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life, 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley. 7:30 p.m. Free. www.jfed.org/bookfestival.

“Literary Death Match.” Read-off judged by comedian Nato Green, author Ayelet Waldman and monologist Josh Kornbluth. At Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission St., S.F. 7 p.m. $10 (includes museum admission). www.thecjm.org.

sunday/11

Rabbi Sheldon Lewis. Author discusses “Torah of Reconciliation.” At Afikomen Judaica, 3042 Claremont Ave., Berkeley. 3 p.m. Free. www.afikomen.com.

“Napa Valley’s Jewish Heritage.” Book presentation and slide show by authors Henry Michalski and Donna Mendelsohn. At Congregation B’nai Israel, 1256 Nebraska St., Vallejo. 2 p.m. Free. (707) 676-6068.

monday/12

Racelle Rosett. Author discusses “Moving Waters,” about a Reform Jewish community in contemporary Hollywood. At Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. 7 p.m. Free. www.siliconvalleyjcc.org.

tuesday/13

“The Psychology of Jewish Humor.” Talk by psychologist Nily Shiryon. Part of Contra Costa Jewish Book Festival. At Reutlinger Community for Jewish Living, 4000 Camino Tassajara, Danville. 1:30 p.m. Free. www.jfed.org/bookfestival.

Doreen Carvajal. Author discusses “The Forgetting River,” about her search into the history of her Converso family. At Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 7 p.m. Free. www.bjesf.org /adults_events.htm.

thursday/15

Anne Cherian. Author discusses “The Invitation,” her novel set in contemporary California that explores identity. At Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 7 p.m. Free. www.bjesf.org/adults_events.htm.

“The Viagra Diaries.” Author and j. columnist Barbara Rose Brooker performs monologues from her book about love and aging. At Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., second floor, S.F. 5:15 p.m. $7-$20. www. commonwealthclub.org.