Author appearances

• Author Michael Wiley reads from and signs copies of his new mystery, "The Last Striptease," at 7 p.m. Dec. 14 at Anderson's Bookshop, 5112 Main St., Downers Grove. (630) 963-2665. He also appears at 2 p.m. Dec. 16 at Centuries and Sleuths bookstore, 7419 W. Madison St., Forest Park. (708) 771-7243.

• Carolyn Crimi, author of "Henry and the Buccaneer Bunnies," reads from and discusses her book from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 15 at Barnes and Noble at the Promenade Bolingbrook, 631 E. Boughton Road, Suite 100, Bolingbrook. (630) 783-0009.

• Michelle Larks, author of "Keeping Misery Company," discusses and signs copies of her book from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 15 at Barnes and Noble at the Promenade Bolingbrook, 631 E. Boughton Road, Suite 100, Bolingbrook. (630) 783-0009.

• Meet Chet Spiewak, author of "An Ornaments' Tale," as he discusses and signs copies of his book from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 15 at Barnes and Noble, 1550 W. 75th St., Downers Grove. (630) 663-0181. From 4 to 6 p.m. that day, he appears at Barnes and Noble at the Promenade Bolingbrook, 631 E. Boughton Road, Suite 100, Bolingbrook. (630) 783-0009.

• Former major league baseball pitcher and manager Tommy Lasorda signs copies of "I Live for This!" at 2 p.m. Dec. 15 at Borders Books and Music, 1540 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg. (847) 330-0031. Lasorda also appears at 2 p.m. Dec. 16 at Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. (630) 355-2655.

• "Person of Interest" author Theresa Schwegel discusses and signs copies of her book at 7 p.m. Dec. 18 at Read Between the Lynes, 129 Van Buren St., Woodstock. (815) 206-5967.

• Celebrity chef Rachael Ray signs copies of "Just In Time" at 12:30 p.m. Dec. 19 at Borders Books and Music, 150 N. State St., Chicago. (312) 606-0750.