By Lori Bartlett
Daily Press staff writer

CITYWIDE — Beatniks, book-lovers and paperback writers in the Santa Monica area have a bevy of choices when it comes to picking a venue to sip their mocha soy chai non-fat lattes and ruminate on the world of print.

A visit to one of the numerous local book boutiques offers a physically relaxing, yet mentally stimulating weekend activity. In addition, area booksellers often feature readings, signings and even live music to entice folks to stop and stay awhile.

Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center offers free workshops this weekend and throughout the fall. Tonight at 7:30 p.m., poet and fiction novelist Eileen Myles is joined by poet and editor Michael Friedman for a workshop. On Saturday, a professor of Chicano studies at UC Berkeley, Alfred Arteaga, will read from his latest book, “Frozen Accident.” Juan Felipe Herrera, whose “Cinnamon Girl: Letters Found Inside a Cereal Box” won the 2006 America’s Book Award, will join him for a 7:30 p.m. workshop. Then, on Sunday at 4 p.m., members of Cathy Colman’s writing workshop will read some of their works.

The Beyond Baroque bookstore is open limited hours on Fridays, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and during events. The store offers books by local artists, as well as classics. Beyond Baroque is located at 681 Venice Blvd. For more information, call (310) 822-3006.

On the Third Street Promenade, pop down to Borders on Sunday for a little live music. Aloe Blacc’s performance features a blend of Latin and soul music from a SoCal native. Blacc’s set is supporting his latest release, “Shine Through.” His diverse guitar melodies begin at 2 p.m. at the Borders located at 1415 Third Street Promenade. For information, call (310) 393-9290.

Just down the street, Barnes & Noble is a popular spot for author signings to support their literary endeavors. On Wednesday, cooking enthusiasts can get educated as well as a signed copy of “The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook.” Author Chris Kimball will discuss the more than 1,200 recipes for classic American family fare at noon. Barnes & Noble is located at 1201 Third Street Promenade. For more information, call (310) 260-9110.

Two independent art and design bookstores are just around the corner from the massive chains. One, located between Borders and Barnes, is Acana: Books on the Arts. The store specializes in rare and out-of-print books for art, architecture, design and photography. Arcana is located at 1229 Third Street Promenade.

Around the corner, Hennessey + Ingalls stands as the largest art and architecture bookstore in the western U.S. The store boasts a strong selection of books in art and art history, all phases of architecture, photography, interior design, graphic design and landscaping. The store is located at 214 Wilshire Blvd.

Equator Books in Venice features collectible books in specialty categories such as surf and skate, music, prostitution and call girls, black studies, circus freaks, bullfighting, and drugs and crime, in addition to books in the more common areas of art, photo, literature, design, architecture and poetry. The store also features a permanent gallery space with rotating exhibits.

Equator is located on the Abbot Kinney strip, between Venice Boulevard and Main Street at 1103 Abbot Kinney Blvd. For information on the store or gallery events, call (310) 399-5544 or log on to www.equatorbooks.com.

Also in Venice, get bookish on Ocean Front Walk at Small World Books, which features fiction and non-fiction titles, as well as poetry and science-fiction. The store touts itself as the local small town bookstore. Small World is located near the beach, 1047 Ocean Front Walk.

So whether it’s a quick stop at the big chains, buying a book on a specific subject or supporting the small-town bookseller and coffee shop, the greater Santa Monica area has many options for escaping into the world of words.