There's a saying that goes, “You know you're from California when you were born somewhere else.” Speaking as a fourth-generation Southern Californian — can you all go home now? Author Mark Arax traveled four years to learn all he could about the lesser-known parts of the Golden State for West of the West: Dreamers, Believers, Builders, and Killers in the Golden State. The collection includes “The Summer of the Death of Hilario Guzman,” about an immigrant family from Oaxaca; “Home Front,” about right-wing Christians and Jews; and his award-winning piece “The Legend of Zankou.”

Wed., April 8, 7:30 p.m., 2009

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.