Finish Out Summer With Local Authors : Titles cover World War II, history of the West, a biography and mysteries.

With another six weeks of summer to enjoy, think about relaxing at the beach, under a tree or on the patio with an armful of books.

Suggested titles, all written by Ventura authors, include “Combat He Wrote” by Lt. Col. Charles S. Hudson and Ross Olney; “Patsy, The Life and Times of Patsy Cline” by Margaret Jones; “The Santa Fe Trail” by David Lavender; “Custer and the Cheyenne” by Louis Kraft; “Tracking the Vanishing Frogs” (now out in paperback) by Kathryn Phillips; and the first two titles in Sharan Newman’s medieval mystery series, “Death Comes as Epiphany” and “The Devil’s Door.”

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Local poet Joan Raymond will read at 8 tonight at Cafe Voltaire, 34 N. Palm St., Ventura. Sign-ups for open readings begin at 7:30 p.m. Call 641-1743 for details.

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Jackson Wheeler, Phil Taggart and Gauvin will perform their poetry at 8 p.m. Friday in the Gay and Lesbian Community Center, 1995 E. Main St., Ventura.

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Meredy Maynard will sign her young adult novel, “Dream Catchers,” at 1 p.m. Saturday at Barnes & Noble, 4360 E. Main St., Ventura.

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Poets who would like an opportunity to read their own work or from their favorite poetry are welcome at the open readings sponsored by Friends of the Simi Valley Library at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the library, 2969 Tapo Canyon Road. Donation of a used book in good condition for the library bookstore will be welcomed, but is not required.

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Phyllis Gebauer, who conducts fiction workshops at UCLA and the Santa Barbara Writers Conference, will address members and guests of the Ventura County Writers Club at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Orchid Professional Bldg., 816 Camarillo Springs Road, Camarillo. Gebauer, whose novel “The Pagan Blessing” has been optioned by a film producer, will discuss the difficulties in marketing fiction and screenplays. Non-member fee is $5. Call 482-5648.

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The 4.5-square-mile city of Ojai was incorporated on Aug. 5, 1921. Humans have lived in the area at least 7,000 years, according to geological records. Books about Ojai include “Portrait of a Community” by Ellen Malino James and “The Ojai Valley, An Illustrated History” by Patricia Fry.