Atwood to read 'The Year of the Flood'

• Acclaimed author Margaret Atwood will present a 70-minute dramatic reading from her new novel, "The Year of the Flood," backed by a troupe of actors and a choir, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6., at the Merle Reskin Theatre, 60 E. Balbo Ave., Chicago. Tickets cost $20. (312) 922-1999.

• Author and journalist Julia Keller discusses and signs copies of her new young adult fiction title, "Back Home: Dad's War is Over, But the Battle's Just Begun," at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at Centuries and Sleuths bookstore, 7419 W. Madison St., Forest Park. (708) 771-7243.

• Juliette Miranda, author of the memoir "Morning Neurosis," discusses, reads from and signs copies of her book from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at Barnes and Noble, 590 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg. (847) 310-0450.

• Meet Heather Vogel Frederick, author of the popular "Mother-Daughter Book Club" series, as she discusses and signs copies of the newest title in the series, "Dear Pen Pal," at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at the Book Stall, 811 Elm St., Winnetka. (847) 446-8880. Vogel Frederick will also discuss and sign copies of "Dear Pen Pal" at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at Anderson's Bookshop, 5112 Main St., Downers Grove. (630) 963-2665.

• Meet "Doubleback" author Libby Fischer Hellmann as she discusses and signs copies of her book at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at Centuries and Sleuths bookstore, 7419 W. Madison St., Forest Park. (708) 771-7243.

• Meet Kate Jacobs, author of The New York Times best-selling novel "The Friday Night Knitting Club," as she discusses and signs copies of her book at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Warren-Newport Public Library, 224 N. O'Plaine Road, Gurnee. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Registration is required for the event. (847) 244-5150.

• Author Jeffrey Haas will discuss his new book, "The Assassination of Fred Hampton: How the FBI and the Chicago Police Murdered a Black Panther," at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, at Barbara's Bookstore, 1100 Lake St., Oak Park. (708) 848-9140. He'll also appear at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, at the Book Stall, 811 Elm St., Winnetka. (847) 446-8880.

• Former worldwide head of television for the William Morris Agency, current chairman of the Miss America Organization and author Sam Haskell will discuss and sign copies of his new book, "Promises I Made My Mother," from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, at the Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Copies of his book will be available for purchase at the event. Registration is required. To register, send an e-mail to infodesk@eapl.org or visit eapl.org. (847) 438-3433.

• Andrea Jones, author of "Hook & Jill," a "grown-up" rendering of the Peter Pan story, reads from her book at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, at Borders Books and Music, 1660 S. Randall Road, Geneva. (630) 262-8747.

• Historian and author Dominic Pacyga will discuss and read from his book "Chicago: The Biography" at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, at Borders Books and Music, 1500 16th St., Oak Brook. (630) 574-0800.

• National Book Award finalist Bonnie Jo Campbell will read from her latest book, "American Salvage," and other works at the Elgin Community College Writers Center reading series at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Visual and Performing Arts Center at Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. The event is free and open to the public. Copies of Campbell's books will be available for sale at the event. A pre-reading dinner with Campbell will be at 5:30 p.m. For dinner reservations or information, contact Rachael Tecza at rtecza@elgin.edu or (847) 214-7578.