Author appearances

Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic and author Roger Ebert signs copies of his book “The Pot and How to Use It: The Mystery and Romance of the Rice Cooker and Great Movies III" at noon Friday, Oct. 22, at Borders Books and Music, 150 N. State St., Chicago. (312) 606-0750.

The Ela Area Public Library in Lake Zurich hosts an author event with New York Times best-selling author James Swanson at the Kemper Lakes Golf Club, 24000 N. Old McHenry Road, Kildeer. Swanson will read from his latest release, “Bloody Crimes: The Chase for Jefferson Davis and the Dead Pageant for Lincoln's Corpse,["] and take questions from the audience from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 23. The event includes a breakfast buffet and a copy of “Bloody Crimes.["] The cost is $30 per person. Register with the library by calling (847) 438-3433 or in person at the Ela Area Public Library at 275 Mohawk Trail in Lake Zurich. Swanson will also discuss his book from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, at the Vernon Area Public Library District, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. A book signing will follow the program. Books will be available for purchase at the event. The event is free and open to the public, but space is limited. Registration is required. Call or register in person at the adult services desk. (847) 634-3650 or vapld.info.

“Lucy["] author Laurence Gonzalez reads from and signs copies of his new novel at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, at Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. (630) 355-2665.

Young adult author Wendy Delsol reads from and signs copies of her debut novel, “Stork,["] at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, at the Book Stall, 811 Elm St., Winnetka. (847) 446-8880.

Chicago-area poet Gene McCormick will sign copies of his latest collections of stories and poems, “Livin' the Blues at Cranky Jack's Bar & Grill["] and “Naked Skeletons,["] from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, at Lin's Garden, 2400 E. Main St. #102, St. Charles. Free and open to the public. (630) 513-6060 or linsgarden.com.

Author Michael Hirsch discusses his book, “The Liberators: America's Witnesses to the Holocaust,["] at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24, at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie. Admission is free with paid $8-$12 museum general admission. Reservations are recommended. (847) 967-4889 or ilholocaustmuseum.org.

Stephanie Hemphill reads from and signs copies of her new book for young adults readers, “Wicked Girls,["] at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 25, at Anderson's Bookshop at 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. (630) 355-2665.

Award-winning author Fern Schumer Chapman, author of “Is It Night or Day?,["] headlines the College of Lake County Fall Reading Series at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, in room C003, at the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. Free and open to the public. (847) 543-2557 or clcillinois.edu.

Award-winning actress and New York Times best-selling author Marlo Thomas reads from and signs copies of her new book, “Growing Up Laughing,["] at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, at Borders Books and Music, 1500 16th St., Oak Brook. Wristbands to organize the book-signing line will be given out beginning at 9 a.m. on the day of the event. Call the store at (630) 574-0800 for details.

Herman Parish, author of many of the Amelia Bedelia books for children, takes part in a special storytime session at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, at the Book Stall, 811 Elm St., Winnetka. Parish will read from his latest book, “Amelia Bedelia's First Apple.["] Herman Parish took over the writing of the Amelia Bedelia books when his aunt, Peggy Parish, the original author of Amelia Bedelia tales, died in 1988. The storytime event is free and open to the public. (847) 446-8880. Parish will also sign copies of his book at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, at Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. Call (630) 355-2665.

Meet “Behemoth["] author Scott Westerfeld as he reads from and signs copies of his follow-up to “Leviathan["] at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, at Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. (630) 355-2665.

Author Faly Colaizzi signs copies of her book “Haunted Nights at Drumheller Castle, A St. Charles Tall Tale["] from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, at the Onesti Dinner Club, 18 N. 4th St., St. Charles. Visit drumhellercastle.com.

Australian author Gary Corby discusses and signs copies of his book “The Pericles Commission["] at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, at Centuries and Sleuths Bookstore, 7419 W. Madison St., Forest Park. (708) 771-7243.

Steven Warren Hill, author of several books on horror films including “Silver Screen Volume I: 40 Classic Horrors Films 1920-1941,["] discusses horror films and his writing and signs copies of his books at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, in Room A242, Building A, at Harper College, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine. Hill's presentation will include film clips. Hill is a Harper College alumnus. Free admission. Call (847) 925-6100 or visit harpercollege.edu.