Bad poetry reading at Book Soup

Great poetry is transcendent, but Pamela August Russell proves the other side of the coin also has its charms in reading from her new collection, “B Is for Bad Poetry,” a bent look at modern life featuring original works with such titles as “Nietzsche and the Ice-Cream Truck” and “A Beginner’s Guide to Mediocrity.” It may not be Whitman, but Russell’s verses are often a whole lot funnier. Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 2 p.m. Sat. (310) 659-3110.