ORANGE COUNTY BOOKS & AUTHORS

Gordon Chappell, director of landscape at Colonial Williamsburg, will speak at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda.

Chappell, author of “The Gardens of Colonial Williamsburg,” will present a slide show on the flowers and gardens at the historical site. He’ll sign books at 11:30. A VIP luncheon, with Christmas menu favorites from Williamsburg, will be held at 12:30.

Lecture, $8; luncheon, $45. For reservations, call (714) 993-5075.

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Dawn Kohler of Laguna Niguel will sign “A New Dawn Rising: One Woman’s Spiritual Odyssey,” which chronicles her three years of therapy for childhood sexual abuse, at Barnes & Noble, Irvine Spectrum, 31 Fortune Drive. Saturday, 2 p.m. (949) 453-1037.

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Journalist Tom Nolan will discuss and sign “Ross MacDonald,” his acclaimed biography of the late Santa Barbara mystery writer, at 1 p.m. Saturday at Coffee, Tea & Mystery, 13232 Springdale St., Westminster. (714) 898-2583.

Also Coming Up:

* Mimi Latt, author of “Ultimate Justice,” will be interviewed by Barbara DeMarco Barrett on “Writers on Writing” on KUCI (88.9 FM) in Irvine. 4 p.m. today.

* Stella Togo Crawley will discuss and sign “In Honor of Women” at Barnes & Noble in Metro Point, 901 South Coast Drive, Costa Mesa. 7 p.m. Friday. (714) 444-0226.

* Ken Ready will discuss “Smashing Out of the Comfort Zone,” an audio book, at Borders Books and Music, 429 Associated Road, Brea. 7 p.m. Friday. (714) 672-0120.

* Daniel L. DeGoede and Danae Drews will sign “Belief Therapy: A Guide to Enhancing Everyday Life” at Barnes & Noble in Fashion Island, 953 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. 2 p.m. Saturday. (949) 759-0982.

* Martin Dugard will sign “Knockdown: The Harrowing True Account of a Yacht Race Turned Deadly” at Super Crown, 1835 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa. 4 p.m. Saturday. (714) 979-0123.

* David LaMont Lee will sign “Merchant Marine Days: My Life in World War II” at Barnes & Noble, 26751 Aliso Creek Road, Aliso Viejo. 2 p.m. Saturday. (949) 362-8027.

* Audrey Pavia, former editor of Horse Illustrated, will sign “Horses for Dummies” at Borders Books and Music, 429 Associated Road, Brea. 7 p.m. Saturday. (714) 672-0120.

* Ken Ready will discuss and sign “Smashing Out of the Comfort Zone,” an audio book, at Borders Books and Music, 1890 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa. 3 p.m. Saturday. (714) 631-8661.

* Veterinarian Elaine Wexler-Mitchell will discuss and sign “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to a Healthy Cat” at Borders Books and Music, 1890 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa. 3 p.m. Sunday. (714) 631-8661.

* Violet P. Woodhouse will discuss and sign “Divorce & Money: How to Make the Best Financial Decisions During Divorce” at Barnes & Noble in the Marketplace, 13712 Jamboree Road, Irvine. 7 p.m. Monday. (714) 508-9707.

* An open-mike night will be held at Barnes & Noble in MainPlace, 2800 N. Main St., Santa Ana. 7 p.m. Tuesday. (714) 667-0313.

* Poets Katya Giritsky and Clay Leeds will read at Alta Coffee House & Roasting Co., 506 31st St., Newport Beach. 8 p.m. Wednesday. (949) 675-0233.

* Dr. Marc Rose will speak and sign “Save Your Sight” at Barnes & Noble in Metro Point, 901 South Coast Drive, Costa Mesa. 7 p.m. Wednesday. (714) 444-0226.

* Sarah Andrews will sign “Bone Hunter” at Book Carnival, 348 S. Tustin Ave., Orange. 6 p.m. Wednesday. (714) 538-3210.

Send information about book-related events at least 10 days before event to: Dennis McLellan, O.C. Books & Authors, Southern California Living, The Times, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Or e-mail to dennis.mclellan@latimes.com.