While 826 L.A.'s associated Time Travel Marts won't hurtle you back in time to save Margaret Cho from being bullied, they're really good at wonderfully warping the written word — and today's celebration of the release of The Best of McSweeney's Internet Tendency is replete with food, drink and books for sale. It's also an excuse for like-minded McSweeney's maniacs to get together to confer and hobnob with their fellow literates. Readers unveiling passages from the new book include Parks & Recreation writer Megan Amram, globe-trotting journalist and Groundlings offspring Kate Hahn, wide-eyed comic Ellie Kemper, letterpress fiend Alyssa Lang, Bob's Burgers gag writer Wendy Molyneux, and cake-loving chortle scribbler Sarah Walker. And if any of it seems like even the vaguest waste of time, come on! Just look at where you are. Don't be a brick. Mar Vista Time Travel Mart, 12515 Venice Blvd., Mar Vista; Sun., Dec. 8, 6 p.m.; free with pre-order of the book ($20), otherwise $10. (310) 915-0200, 826la.org.

Sun., Dec. 8, 6 p.m., 2013

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