Author appearances

• New York Times best-selling author Nick Hornby will discuss and sign copies of his new book "Slam," his foray into the young adult genre, at 7 p.m. Oct. 19 at Borders, 1500 16th St., Oak Brook. (630) 574-0800.

• Children's author Peter Welling signs copies of his new book "Darlene Halloween and the Great Chicago Fire" at noon Oct. 20 at Barnes & Noble, 47 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. (630) 579-0200.

• Best-selling children's author Brian Jacques will discuss and sign copies of his new book "Eulalia!" at 7 p.m. Oct. 24 at Borders, 1 N. La Grange Road, La Grange. Due to the expected crowd size, wristbands will be required for entry and will be available at 10 a.m. on the day of event. (708) 579-9660.

• Meet the president's daughter, Jenna Bush, author of the new book "Ana's Story," at a reading and book signing at 7 p.m. Oct. 25 at the 95th Street Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Drive, Naperville. In "Ana's Story," Bush shares the lessons she learned from a 17-year-old mother with HIV while she was serving UNICEF in Latin America and the Caribbean. Tickets are required for this event, which is sponsored by Anderson's Bookshops. Admission is $25 and includes a copy of the book. Call to register. (630) 355-2665.

• Kevin Davis, author of "Defending the Damned: Inside Chicago's Cook County Public Defender's Office," will take part in a panel discussion with members of the Cook County Public Defender's Office Murder Task Force from 5 to 6 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Chicago Bar Association Headquarters, 321 S. Plymouth Court, Chicago. A reception and book signing will follow. The events take place in the Philip H. Corboy Room. Free and open to the public. (919) 260-4863 or (773) 743-4186.

-- Laura Stewart