monday/21

Alicia Silverstone

As if! Alicia Silverstone, a Bay Area native and daughter of British Jews, comes to San Francisco to talk about her No. 1 New York Times best-selling book, “The Kind Diet.” The star of 1995’s “Clueless,” a ’90s pop culture staple, Silverstone now espouses the benefits of vegetarianism and living an eco-friendly lifestyle. 7 p.m. Monday, April 21 at JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. $25. www.jccsf.org

thursday/24

“Belomor: Criminality and Creativity in Stalin’s Gulag.” Author Julie Draskoczy discusses the Soviet prison camp. At Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. 7 p.m. Free. www.jewishlearningworks.org/library.

wednesday/30

Perplexing mystery. Dara Horn, winner of two National Jewish Book Awards, discusses her novel, “A Guide for the Perplexed,” this year’s One Bay, One Book selection, in conversation with Robert Scoble, author of the blog Scobleizer. Q&A follows. 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 30, at Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. $8-$15. www.paloaltojcc.org. Also 7 p.m. May 1, in conversation with Lori Starr, executive director of the Contemporary Jewish Museum, at the Jewish Community Library, 1835 Ellis St., S.F. Free; RSVP requested. www.jewishlearningworks.org/library