Author appearances
• Author Alexander McCall Smith reads from and signs copies of "The Miracle at Speedy Motors" at 7 p.m. April 18 at Borders, 830 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago. (312) 573-0564.
• Libertyville resident and author Suzanne Slade signs copies of her latest picture book, "Animals Are Sleeping," from 10:30 to 11 a.m. April 18 at the Fremont Public Library, 1170 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. Copies of the book will be available for purchase. (847) 566-8702.
• Senior adviser to President Bill Clinton and Sen. Hillary Clinton Sidney Blumenthal speaks about his two new books, "The Strange Death of Republican America" and "The Rise of the Counter-Establishment: From Conservative Ideology to Political Power" at 2 p.m. April 19 at The Book Stall, 811 Elm St., Winnetka. (847) 446-8880.
• Meet Nicholas Perrin, author of "Lost in Transmission: What We Can Know About the Words of Jesus," as he discusses and signs copies of his book at 3 p.m. April 19 at Barnes & Noble, 351 Town Square, Wheaton. (630) 653-2122.
• Billy Pierce and Lew Freedman read from and sign copies of their new book "Then Ozzie Said to Harold: The Best Chicago White Sox Stories Ever Told," at 1 p.m. April 19 at Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. (630) 355-2665.
• "The Mayor's Tongue" author Nathaniel Rich reads from and signs copies of his new novel at 7:30 p.m. April 22 at Borders, 2817 N. Clark St., Chicago. (773) 935-3909.
• "Bulls Island" author Dorothea Benton Frank signs copies of her book at 7 p.m. April 22 at The Book Stall, 811 Elm St., Winnetka. (847) 446-8880.
• Meet children's book author Katharine Holabird as she takes part in a 25th anniversary celebration of her "Angelina Ballerina" books at 7 p.m. April 22 at Anderson's Bookshop, 5112 Main St., Downers Grove. (630) 963-2665.
• Meet the star of television's "Chelsea Lately," Chelsea Handler, as she discusses and signs copies of her book "Are You There, Vodka? It's Me Chelsea" at 7:30 p.m. April 24 at Borders, 1500 16th St., Oak Brook. (630) 574-0800.
-- Laura Stewart