CHARLES WHEELAN

Monday, May 14th

12:00 pm at The University Club

Modeled on Charles Wheelan 's 2011 Class Day Speech at Dartmouth College, this collection of refreshingly honest advice and observations is the antidote to those cotton-candy platitudes that are all too familiar to anyone who's ever worn a mortarboard. In 101/2 Things No Commencement Speaker Has Ever Said, Wheelan offers up 10 head-turning aphorisms on happiness and success that anyone staring down the barrel of graduation needs to hear but probably hasn't heard yet. Celebrated New Yorker cartoonist Peter Steiner adds a touch of whimsy with his irreverent illustrations sprinkled throughout.

MATTHEW CORDELL

Tuesday, May 15th

4:00 pm at The Book Stall

Come and meet Matthew Cordell, one of our favorite picture book illustrators!

ROGER THUROW

Tuesday, May 15th

6:00 pm at Michigan Shores Club

Roger Thurow, a senior fellow for global agriculture and food policy at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, will be with us to discuss his new book, The Last Hunger Season. Join us for a cocktail reception as Thurow talks about the year he spent following the progress of a group of farmers in Kenya trying to change their way of farming - a daunting challenge considering that Africa's small farmers harvest only one-quarter the yields of Western farmers, half of which spoil before even getting to market.

FODOR'S SUMMER TRAVEL PARTY

Tuesday, May 15th

7:00 pm at The Book Stall

Join us for this not-to-be-missed event featuring Arabella Bowen, Fodor's Editor-in-Chief, and Fodor's publisher, Amanda D'Acierno, as they discuss various ideas for summer trips. We'll have a wine-tasting, food pairings and a basket full of goodies to give away. You won't want to miss this!

BEN PELLER

Wednesday, May 16th

7:00 pm at The Book Stall

Ben Peller, who has local roots, will be with us to discuss and sign his new novel, To Live and Love in L.A., the follow-up to To Live and Drink in L.A., again featuring protagonist Shawn Michals, a Midwestern transplant to Los Angeles.

PETER J. HATCH

Thursday, May 17th

1:30 - 3:00 pm at The Chicago Botanic Garden

Peter Hatch, the Director of Gardens and Grounds at Monticello, oversaw its vegetable garden’s restoration to a place that reflects Jefferson's genius and distinctly American attitude. Its impact on the culinary, garden and landscape history of the United States continues to the present. Graced with nearly 200 full-color illustrations, A Rich Spot of Earth is the first book devoted to all aspects of the Monticello vegetable garden. Hatch guides us from the asparagus and artichokes first planted in 1770 through the horticultural experiments of Jefferson's retirement years (1809–1826).

For reservations: Please call the CBG registrar’s office at 847.835.8261. Cost: $19 for members and $24 for non-members.

JENNIFER NIELSON

Thursday, May 17th

4:30 pm at The Book Stall

The False Prince, the first in a new trilogy by Jennifer Nielson, is perfect for ages 12 and up. It is the story of a boy who is plucked from an orphanage by an evil nobleman in order to pose as a the missing prince of the realm. But there are three other boys also vying for the dubious honor of being the false prince, and only one can actually be presented to the court. The remaining boys will know too much to be allowed to live. Replete with swordplay, intrigue, betrayal, and gallantry, this is an action-packed and surprising read.

STEVE LOWENSTEIN

Thursday, May 17th

7:00 pm at The Book Stall

From Aliyah to Megidoo and Netanyahu to Zionism, For the Love of Israel: The Holy Land: From Past to Present. An A-Z Primer for Hachamin, Talmidim, Vatikim, Noodnikim, and Dream, examines more than 3,000 years of this postage stamp sized land’s history. With the 26 letters of the alphabet paired with lighthearted text and colorful illustrations, this fun fact book explores the heart, soul and the foundation of the Jewish people and the land from where their ancient traditions, culture and values have come. Through Hebrew words, interesting facts, poignant quotes and profound teachings, each letter comes to life with a significant aspect of the land’s background.

TEEN SUMMER READING PREVIEW

Hosted by Robert McDonald

Saturday, May 19th

3:00 pm at The Book Stall

Join us to hear some of our teen reviewers talking about books they are loving. Robert will discuss some of the titles and we will host special guest-star authors and we will be serving up refreshments, prizes and tons of book giveaways. Please spread the word - the event is free but we do ask for you to RSVP to us (847) 446.8880. Teen readers, educators and fans of young adult literature will not want to miss is. Ages 12 to adult welcome.

ANN PATCHETT

Sunday, May 20th

2:00 pm at Wilmette Jr. High Auditorium

620 Locust Road, Wilmette

Don't miss this opportunity to meet Ann Patchett, one of today's most popular authors and hear her discuss and sign her latest, best-selling novel,  State of Wonder. This book is the Wilmette Public Library's "One Book, Everybody Reads" selection.

KYLE CRAMER

Monday, May 21st

7:00 pm at The Book Stall

Kyle Cramer, a Chicago native and current North Shore resident, talks about his new book, American Frankenstein: How the United States Created a Monster!, the premise of which is that African Americans were created as an aberration of American citizenry - relegated to a marginal existence in their homeland and condemned to a persistent socioeconomic struggle in the greatest country on earth.

JOEL PECKHAM

Tuesday, May 22nd

7:00 pm at The Book Stall

On February 7, 2004, Joel Peckham and his Iranian-American wife, Susan Atefat Peckham, were driving from Aqaba to Amman, Jordan before the start of their Fulbright teaching fellowships. With them were their two sons and Susan's mother. Suddenly, partway through the drive, a sand truck careened off the road and into their car, killing Joel's wife and their eldest son, Cyrus. Joel was left temporarily crippled and suffering from intense neuropathy. Resisting Elegy is the result of this experience and its aftermath.

CHARLOTTE ADELMAN and

BERNARD L. SCHWARTZ

Wednesday, May 23rd

1:30 pm at The Chicago Botanic Garden

The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants

This brand-new book is a welcome guide for gardeners whose styles range from formal to naturalistic but who want to create an authentic sense of place with regional natives.

For reservations: Please call the CBG registrar’s office at 847.835.8261. Cost: $5

CHARLES WHEELAN

Thursday, May 24th

7:00 pm at The Book Stall

Modeled on Charles Wheelan 's 2011 Class Day Speech at Dartmouth College, this collection of refreshingly honest advice and observations is the antidote to those cotton-candy platitudes that are all too familiar to anyone who's ever worn a mortarboard. In 101/2 Things No Commencement Speaker Has Ever Said, Wheelan offers up 10 head-turning aphorisms on happiness and success that anyone staring down the barrel of graduation needs to hear but probably hasn't heard yet. Celebrated New Yorker cartoonist Peter Steiner adds a touch of whimsy with his irreverent illustrations sprinkled throughout.

JONATHAN HAIDT

Friday, May 25th

7:00 pm at The Winnetka Congregational Church, 725 Pine Street, Winnetka

In his new book, The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt explores the origins of divisions in the country and points the way to mutual understanding. Haidt, a psychology professor at the University of Virginia, shows what the different sides are right about, and why we need the insights of liberals, conservatives and libertarians to flourish as a nation.

Open to the public.

REBECCA MAKKAI

Tuesday, May 29th

7:00 pm at The Book Stall

Local author and elementary school teacher, Rebecca Makkai, talks about her debut novel, The Borrower. It is the story of a children's librarian and a 10 year-old boy who is obsessed with reading.

JOHN McEVOY

Wednesday, May 30th

6:30 pm at The Book Stall

Evanston author John McEvoy, former editor and senior correspondent for Daily Racing Form, returns to the world of thoroughbred horse racing in his latest Chicago-set novel, Photo Finish , featuring adventurous protagonist Jack Doyle, whose challenge this time is horse drugging.