<strong>CLARA SNOOK: </strong>Author will discuss and sign her book, &ldquo;Roots & Wings of Love.&rdquo; 1 p.m. Oct. 18, Barnes & Noble, Oak Park Mall, 11323 W. 95th, Overland Park. Free. <a href="http://www.bn.com">www.bn.com</a> (913-541-1505) </p><p><strong>RICHARD SERRANO: </strong>Journalist will give talk based on his book, &ldquo;My Grandfather&rsquo;s Prison: Death and Deceit in 1940s Kansas City.&rdquo; 2 p.m. Oct. 18, Kansas City Public Library, 14 W. 10th. <a href="http://www.kclibrary.org">www.kclibrary.org</a> (816-701-3407) </p><p><strong>CHRISTINA PACOSZ: </strong>Poet will read. 7 p.m. Oct. 18, the Writers Place, 3607 Pennsylvania. <a href="http://www.writersplace.org">www.writersplace.org</a> (816-753-1090) </p><p><strong>JOHN BESH: </strong>Chef will present dinner featuring dishes from &ldquo;My New Orleans: The Cookbook.&rdquo; Co-sponsored by Rainy Day Books. 6:30 p.m. Oct. 19, Jasper&rsquo;s, 1201 W. 103rd. $75, includes signed copy of book. <a href="http://www.jasperskc.com">www.jasperskc.com</a> (816-941-6600) </p><p><strong>VIRGIL DEAN: </strong>Author will discuss and sign his book, &ldquo;John Brown to Bob Dole: Movers and Shakers in Kansas History.&rdquo; 6:30 p.m. Oct. 20, National Archives at Kansas City, 400 W. Pershing. www.archives .gov/central-plains/kansas-city (816-268-8010) </p><p><strong>THE WRITERS PLACE POETRY READING SERIES: </strong>Brian Daldorph, Bill Bauer. 7 p.m. Oct. 20, Johnson County Library-Central Resource, 9875 W. 87th, Overland Park. <a href="http://www.writersplace.org">www.writersplace.org</a> (816-753-1090 or 913-495-9107) </p><p><strong>MICHAEL CHABON: </strong>Author will discuss and sign his book, &ldquo;Manhood for Amateurs.&rdquo; Sponsored by Rainy Day Books. 7 p.m. Oct. 20, Unity Temple on the Plaza, 707 W. 47th. $25.99. www.rainydaybooks .com (913-384-3126) </p><p><strong>RON SMITH: </strong>Historian will discuss his new book, &ldquo;Thomas Ewing Jr.: Frontier Lawyer and Civil War General.&rdquo; 6:30 p.m. Oct. 21, Kansas City Public Library, 14 W. 10th. <a href="http://www.kclibrary.org">www.kclibrary.org</a> (816-701-3407) </p><p><strong>CHESLEY BURNETT SULLENBERGER III: </strong>Pilot will discuss and sign his new book, &ldquo;Highest Duty.&rdquo; 7 p.m. Oct. 21, Unity Temple on the Plaza, 707 W. 47th. $25.99. <a href="http://www.rainydaybooks.com">www.rainydaybooks.com</a> (913-384-3126) </p><p><strong>DAVID SEDARIS: </strong>Humor writer will autograph books after performance. 8 p.m. Oct. 21, Midland theater, 1228 Main. $37.50-$77.50. <a href="http://www.rainydaybooks.com">www.rainydaybooks.com</a> (816-283-9921) </p><p><strong>REBECCA K. O&rsquo;CONNOR: </strong>Author will give multimedia presentation based on her memoir, &ldquo;Lift.&rdquo; 7 p.m. Oct. 22, the Book Barn, 410 Delaware, Leavenworth. (913-682-6518) </p><p><strong>JOHN FERLING: </strong>Historian will give talk based on his new book, &ldquo;The Ascent of George Washington: The Hidden Political Genius of an American Icon.&rdquo; 6:30 p.m. Oct. 22, Kansas City Public Library Plaza Branch, 4801 Main. www.kclibrary .org (816-701-3407) </p><p><strong>LATINO WRITERS COLLECTIVE: </strong>Readings as part of university&rsquo;s Ethnic Voices Poetry Series. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 22, Park University, McCoy Meetin&rsquo; House, 8700 N.W. River Park, Parkville. <a href="http://www.park.edu/ethnicpoetry/2009-2010.html">www.park.edu/ethnicpoetry/2009-2010.html</a> (816-584-6818) </p><p><strong>TRENTON LEE STEWART: </strong>Author will discuss and sign his book, &ldquo;The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner&rsquo;s Dilemma.&rdquo; 6:30 p.m. Oct. 22, Village Presbyterian Church, Friendship Hall, 6641 Mission; 7 p.m. Oct. 23, Reading Reptile, 328 W. 63rd. www.rainy daybooks.com and www.reading reptile.com (913-384-3126 and 816-753-0441) </p><p><strong>SPECIAL MEMOIR READING: </strong>Writers Charline Schmelzer Franz and Charles Gusewelle. 7 p.m. Oct. 23, the Writers Place, 3607 Pennsylvania. <a href="http://www.writersplace.org">www.writersplace.org</a> (816-753-1090) </p><p><strong>ARLIVIA WHITE: </strong>Author will discuss and sign her book, &ldquo;Ministry Behind Closed Doors.&rdquo; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 24, Jubal&rsquo;s Manner Coffee House, 3945 Main. (816-255-3945) </p><p><strong>JASPER J. MIRABILE JR.: </strong>Chef will discuss and sign his book, &ldquo;Jasper&rsquo;s Kitchen Cookbook.&rdquo; 1 p.m. Oct. 24, Barnes & Noble, Oak Park Mall, 11323 W. 95th, Overland Park. <a href="http://www.bn.com">www.bn.com</a> (913-541-1505) </p><p><strong>DONALD GILMORE: </strong>Author will sign and discuss his book, &ldquo;Riding Vengeance with the James Gang.&rdquo; 1 p.m. Oct. 24, Barnes & Noble, Country Club Plaza, 420 W. 47th. <a href="http://www.bn.com">www.bn.com</a> (816-753-1313) </p><p><strong>LORI GIVAN: </strong>Author from Lee&rsquo;s Summit will discuss and sign &ldquo;Stillness, Storms and Second Chances.&rdquo; 1-3 p.m. Oct. 24, Borders, 12055 Metcalf, Overland Park. <a href="http://www.borders.com">www.borders.com</a> (913-663-2356) </p><p><strong>ALL ABOUT BUMPS IN THE NIGHT AND OTHER FRIGHTS: </strong>Authors Linda Madl, Barbara Baldwin, Lee Killough and Sheri L. McGathy will talk about ghosts and other haunting tales. 2 p.m. Oct. 24, Johnson County Library-Spring Hill, 109 S. Webster, Spring Hill. <a href="http://www.jocolibrary.org">www.jocolibrary.org</a> (913-261-2319)