sunday/9
Michael Krasny. Discussing “Let There Be Laughter,” his new book about Jewish humor. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 5:30 p.m. $15-$25. www.tinyurl.com/krasny-ofjcc. Additional Krasny events at www.tinyurl.com/krasny-talks
thursday/13
Naomi Seidman. Professor of Jewish culture in conversation about her new book, “The Marriage Plot, or How Jews Fell in Love with Love, and with Literature.” At Graduate Theological Union, 2400 Ridge Road, Berkeley. 5:30 p.m. Free. www.gtu.edu/events
friday/14
Imagining the future: Jamie Metzl’s promotional tour for his new sci-fi novel “Eternal Sonata” is bringing him to the Bay Area for a couple of talks, including a gallery chat at the Contemporary Jewish Museum about futurism and filmmaker Stanley Kubrick. Metzl himself is a futurist, social scientist, commentator and former Clinton administration official (among many other things) whose latest novel is a thriller about technology and geopolitics.
12:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14 at Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission St., S.F. Included with museum admission. www.thecjm.org. Also Saturday, Oct. 15 at JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. 7:30 p.m. $8. www.jcceastbay.org