THE IDEAS EXCHANGE
ROCK, COMEDY AND HEALTH MERGE THIS YEAR
Spotlighting t wo of today’s most relevant and inspiring authors — Carrie Brownstein and Arianna Huffington — the L. A. Times’ popular Ideas Exchange series continues at the Festival of Books with t wo ticketed discussions hosted by notable Times journalists on April 10.
The Ideas Exchange i s an opportunit y to see the authors up close and hear the personal stories behind their most recent books — and leave with a signed copy to take home, which is included with each tic ket.
The conversations are i nformal as well as in- depth, a window into the minds and lives of prominent personalities. Past guests i nclude best- selling author and popular TED talk speaker Malcolm Gladwell and Shonda Rhimes, producer of “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal” and other hit TV series.
“The Ideas Exchange is our speaker series featuring some of today’s most interesting and inspiring figures engaging in dynamic conversations with Los Angeles Times journalists, offering fresh insights on a topic of interest,” said Maret Orliss, associate director of events, programming for the L. A. Times.
Here’s the lineup:
Sunday, 11 a. m. Carrie Brownstein in Conversation With Lorraine Ali
A pioneering guitarist in the i conic feminist punk- rock band Sleater- Kinney — as well as co- writer and co- star of TV’s quirk y “Portlandia” — Brownstein will discuss her recent memoir, “Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl.” The well- reviewed memoir has been called a candid, funny and deeply personal stor y of chasing her dreams, and finding
her calling, through rock music during the Pacific Northwest’s grunge revolution in the early ’ 90s. Aside from her firsthand stories of the groundbreaking era and hit ting the big time with Sleater- Kinney, “Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl” i s an i ntimate stor y of her escape from a turbulent family li fe and search for a sense of identity and redemption. Along the way, Brownstein discusses the excitement and contradictions within the era’s booming music subculture, including experiences that helped inspire the obser vational satire of IFC net work’s “Portlandia.” Senior Calendar writer Lorraine Ali, who covers all things pop culture for The Times, will lead the conversation.
Sunday, 3 p. m. Arianna Huffington in Conversation With Robin Abcarian
Huffington will discuss her latest book, “The Sleep Revolution,” a thorough examination of our current sleep- deprivation crisis and its profound consequences in society, negatively impacting health, relationships, job performance and more. The author, co- founder of the Huffington Post, asserts that only by completely rethinking our relationship with sleep can we take back control of our lives. Sleeping is not wasted time, Huffington asserts, but rather an essential part of a balanced, healthy life. And in today’s stressed, digitally connected world, a good night’s sleep is more important than ever.
“The Sleep Revolution” makes its case with current scientific studies as well as deeply personal insight, examining the effects of sleep deprivation and delving into what happens to our minds and bodies when we sleep. Huffington also offers practical science- based advice on how to create effective and positive sleep patterns. Leading the conversation will be Robin Abcarian, columnist and blogger for the L. A. Times, who writes frequently on California culture and politics.