Author appearances: Kate Hudson talks, signs 'Pretty Happy' in Naperville

• David Axelrod, political analyst, former chief strategist for Barack Obama's 2008 and 2012 political campaigns and the institute director at the Institute of Politics at the University of Chicago, discusses his book “Believer: My Forty Years in Politics” in a conversation with Steve Edwards, executive director of the Institute of Politics at the University of Chicago, at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15, at the Highland Park Public Library, 494 Laurel Ave., Highland Park. Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event. (847) 432-0216 or hplibrary.org.

• Author Bob Shea signs copies of his children's book “Ballet Cat: Dance! Dance! Underpants!” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, at Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. For a place in the signing line, purchase a copy of Shea's book from Anderson's. (630) 355-2665 or andersonsbookshop.com.

• Author Peter Slevin discusses his book “Michelle Obama: A Life” at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, at the Highland Park Public Library, 494 Laurel Ave., Highland Park. Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event. (847) 432-0216 or hplibrary.org.

• Award-winning Chicago author Joe Meno reads from his latest novel, “Marvel and a Wonder,” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, in the Footlik Theater at Oakton Community College, 1600 E. Golf Road. The event is free and open to the public and is part of the college's Chicago Writers Series. Meno is a winner of the Nelson Algren Literary Award, a Pushcart Prize and the Great Lakes Book Award. Meno's plays have been produced in Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Charville, France. For information, call Lynn Woodbury at (847) 635-1953 or email woodbury@oakton.edu.

• Best-selling children's author Sara Pennypacker signs copies of her new book, “Pax,” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, at Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. To reserve a place in the signing line, purchase a copy of “Pax” from Anderson's. (630) 355-2665 or order online at andersonsbookshop.com.

• Golden Globe Award-winning actress Kate Hudson introduces and signs copies of her new book, “Pretty Happy,” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, in Wentz Hall on the campus of North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Hudson will speak about her book and will take questions from the audience. Then she will sign copies of “Pretty Happy.” Tickets are available at katehudsonandersons.brownpapertickets.com. Guests will receive copies of their books at the event. Books will not be available for pick up prior to the event. Books purchased at other vendors are not permitted in the signing line. The event is sponsored by Anderson's Bookshop of Naperville. (630) 355-2665 or andersonsbookshop.com.

• Ira Sukrungruang, author of “Southside Buddhist,” “Talk Thai: The Adventures of Buddhist Boy” and other titles, will read from his works and answer questions from the audience in a program at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, in Room C003 in Building C at the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. Sukrungruang, who is an associate professor of creative writing at the University of South Florida, will conduct a workshop for writers from 3 to 4:15 p.m. Wednesday in Room T347 in Building T of the CLC campus. Both events are free and open to the public. For details, contact Robin Kacel, English instructor at CLC, at (847) 543-2561 or email rkacel@clcillinois.edu.