Author retells the amazing journey of Nell Doerr

AT BOOKWORKS: Thomas Fox

Averill will sign and discuss “Found Documents from the Life of Nell Johnson Doerr” at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 31.

Not just epistolary, this novel is archival, told entirely through journals, letters, photos, drawings, notes and clippings left behind by Nell Doerr, who lived in Lawrence, Kan., from

1854 to 1889. The novel tells the story of her two stillborn babies, her move to Kansas, the loss of her husband in Quantrill’s Raid, and her discovery, while hiding in her basement, of the fossils of prehistoric creatures in the foundation rock.

Patricia Pollard will sign “Long Time Lost,” a memoir of childhood and motherhood in Taos, at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 2.

Pollard bares her soul in this account of her jagged progress from the alienation she felt as an adopted child to unwanted motherhood and the constrictions of stepmotherhood.

Bookworks is at 4022 Rio Grande NW. Call 344-8139.

AT TREASURE HOUSE BOOKS

& GIFTS: Sue Houser will sign “The Corn Whisperer” from 1 to 3 p.m. today.

Illustrated by Ramon Shiloh, the book is a trio of stories about the ancient healing ways of the Southwest. Centered on life at various pueblos, the book opens with young Charlie telling his single mom he is worried about staying with her father, Grandfather Joe, the storyteller.

Ross Van Dusen will sign his latest children’s book, “The Crocka Dog in the Evil Forest,” from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 2.

Treasure House Books and Gifts is at 2012 South Plaza NW in Old Town. Call 242-7204.

AT COLLECTED WORKS: The Young Adult Books Club will read “The Chaos of Standing Still” by Jessica Brody at 6:30 p.m. today.

Michelle Kuo will sign “Reading With Patrick,” a memoir about race, inequality and literacy, at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 30.

Collected Works is at 202 Galisteo St., Santa Fe. Call 505-988-4226.