Who's in town

British author Zadie Smith appears in an onstage conversation discussing her latest book, “NW.” City Arts and Lectures presents the evening. [7:30 p.m., Nourse Theater, 275 Hayes St., S.F.]

Lectures

Olli Rehn: The European commissioner for economic and monetary affairs and the euro discusses the difficulties the European Union has faced and how it can make a strong recovery. [7 p.m., World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter St., S.F.]

Gurcharan Das: The Indian journalist discusses how India has historically had a weak state and a strong society, and how this could affect the country's recent economic growth. [6 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]

Simon Winchester : The journalist looks at some of the explorers and thinkers whose achievements helped unify the American states and created one cohesive nation. [Noon, Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]

Urban innovation: Entrepreneurs discuss how startup businesses, due to an agility unique to their size, are able to quickly tackle urban challenges. [6 p.m., SPUR, 654 Mission St., S.F.]

Literary events

John Freeman: The literary critic discusses “How to Read a Novelist.” [7 p.m., City Lights Books, 261 Columbus Ave., S.F.]

Santiago Roncagliolo: The Peruvian writer discusses “Hi, This Is Conchita.” [7:30 p.m., Booksmith, 1644 Haight St., S.F.]

Ingrid Carlberg: The Swedish author discusses “There Is a Room Waiting for You Here,” a biography of Raoul Wallenberg. [7 p.m., Jewish Community Center, 3200 California St., S.F.; RSVP (required): (415) 292-1233]

Mark Helprin: The best-selling author discusses “In Sunlight and in Shadow,” a novel. [7 p.m., Books Inc., 601 Van Ness Ave., S.F.]

At the colleges

Igor Siddiqui: The principal of ISSSStudio, an interior-design practice based in Brooklyn, discusses his evolving body of work. [7 p.m., California College of the Arts, 1111 Eighth St., S.F.]

At the public library

Hitchcock film: Program features a screening of “Rebecca” (1940), Alfred Hitchcock's atmospheric drama based on Daphne Du Maurier's novel. [6:15 p.m., Sunset Branch, 1305 18th Ave., S.F.]

Jayne Anne Phillips: The novelist talks about “Quiet Dell.” [7 p.m., Belmont Library, 1110 Alameda De Las Pulgas, Belmont]

Local activities

Tough fight: Muhammad Ali's fight to overturn a prison sentence for refusing to perform military service in Vietnam is detailed in the documentary “The Trials of Muhammad Ali.” [Opera Plaza Cinema, 601 Van Ness Ave., S.F.; (415) 771-0183]

Benefit reception: The International Rescue Committee's GenR group hosts its 2013 benefit reception, “Food Stories: From Burma to the Bay.” Local chefs, working with refugee farmers, take part. [5:30 p.m., Roe, 651 Howard St., S.F.]

Dance makers: West Wave Dance Festival presents “Make.Believe,” a night of contemporary ballet curated by Amy Seiwert and contributing artists and featuring works based on fairy tales and myths. [8 p.m., Z Space, 450 Florida St., S.F.]

Dining out

Papalote Mexican Grill: Tacos, quesadillas and burritos top the menu at the restaurant's two San Francisco sites. The carne asada burrito is recommended today. All burritos include rice, beans and salsa. [3409 24th St., S.F.; (415) 776-0106 and 1777 Fulton St., S.F.; (415) 970-8815]

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