Village Books struggles to get by in the little shopping district of Pacific Palisades, but things seem especially grim on that street this year. The bookstore has loyal fans, though, and next Wednesday Tom Hanks will be on hand at 7 p.m. to sign merchandise purchased in the store. They're billing it as a way to "help the bookstore stay in business."

In the neighborhood: Diesel Books has opened not far away in Brentwood Country Mart, with ex-Dutton's people on staff.