Author appearances
• "Thee Cups of Tea" author Greg Mortenson speaks about building schools to promote peace through books, not bombs, at the "Promoting Literacy ... Promoting Peace" gala running from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 3, at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare, 9300 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont. Mortenson will discuss his newest book "Stones into Schools." Actress America Ferrera of television's "Ugly Betty," a supporter of Mortenson's mission, will also be appearing. Tickets begin at $150. Proceeds go toward building and sustaining schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Seating is limited. For reservations, call or visit ikat.org/cai-annual-fundraiser. (630) 929-3592.
• Stephen Fried, author of "Appetite for America: How Visionary Businessman Fred Harvey Built a Railroad Hospitality Empire that civilized the Wild West," will discuss and sign copies of his book at 7 p.m. Monday, April 5, at the Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St., Chicago. (312) 642-4600 or chicagohistory.org.
• Meet author Elizabeth Berg as she discusses and signs copies of her book "The Last Time I Saw You" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 6, at the Warren-Newport Public Library, 224 N. O'Plaine Road, Gurnee. Copies of Berg's book will be available for purchase. Reservations are required for this free program. (847) 244-5150.
• Meet author and co-founder of the Kids Love Comics organization Jimmy Gownley, as he reads from and signs copies of his new "Amelia Rules" title, "The Tweenage Guide to Not Being Unpopular" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 6, at Anderson's Bookshop, 5112 Main St., Downers Grove. (630) 963-2665.
• Meet "Will Grayson, Will Grayson" authors John Green and David Levithan as they read from and sign copies of their book at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 6, at Naperville North High School, 899 N. Mill St., Naperville. Tickets are required and may be obtained by either purchasing a copy of "Will Grayson, Will Grayson" at Anderson's Bookshop at 123 W. Jefferson Ave. in Naperville, or by purchasing a $5 event ticket. Call Anderson's for information. (630) 420-6480.
• Author Lucille O'Neal and her son, NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal, will sign copies of Lucille's new book, "Walk Like You Have Somewhere To Go," at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 7, at Borders Books and Music, 830 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago. (312) 573-0564.
• Meet author Alice Wood as she reads from and signs copies of her book, "Wealth Watchers: A Simple Program to Help You Spend Less and Save More," as she reads from and signs copies of her book at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 7, at Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. (630) 355-2665.