To The Last Man: A Novel of the First World War by Jeff Shaara (Ballantine; $27.95). The superb war novelist has tackled the Civil War, Revolutionary War and now moves on to the bloody battlefields and treacherous trenches of World War I as America joins France and Britain in their fight against Germany. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Books & Co., Town and Country Shopping Center, 350 E. Stroop Road, Kettering; (937) 298-6540; and 7 p.m. Thursday, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Rookwood Pavilion, Madison and Edwards roads, Norwood; (513) 396-8960.
A Wish to Be a Christmas Tree by Colleen Monroe, illustrated by Michael Glenn Monroe (Gale; $16.95). A children's picture book (recommended for ages 4-8) about how woodland creatures help a forlorn pine tree that is always overlooked at Christmas. Michael Monroe will draw and discuss the book, which was written by his wife, 4 p.m. Thursday, Blue Marble Children's Bookstore, 1356 S. Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas; (859) 781-0602.
Keys to Uncomfortable Living by Bob Woodiwiss (Emmis; $14.99). The local humorist, ad man and former City Beat columnist weighs in on family, technology, romance and other aspects of modern life in a debut book subtitled "An Indulgence of My Peculiarities, An Indictment of Yours." He has appearances scheduled all month starting 7 p.m. Friday, Barnes & Noble, the Streets of West Chester, 9455 Civic Centre Blvd., West Chester Township; (513) 755-2258; and 7 p.m. next Tuesday, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Rookwood Pavilion, Madison and Edwards roads, Norwood; (513) 396-8960.
18th Annual Buckeye Book Fair will feature more than 100 Ohio authors, illustrators and photographers - all willing to autograph their work, which makes it more than worth the long trek up north. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Fisher Auditorium, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Ohio State University, Wooster. Admission: $2, free for children, students and senior citizens. For more information and directions, visit www.buckeyebookfair.com.
Sara Pearce
