Ann B. Ross, "Etta Mae's Worst Bad-Luck Day." 7:15 p.m. Aug. 25. Talk, signing. Free. Decatur Library Auditorium, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. 404-370-8450, Ext. 2225; georgiacenterforthebook.org/Events/show.php?id=716. Ross returns with another adventure set in Miss Julia's Abbotsville. This time, she writes from the perspective of Etta Mae Wiggins, whose wild goose chase takes readers from the mansions of Abbotsville to her trailer park home.
Carapace: Turning point. 7:30 p.m. Aug. 26. Oral storytelling. Free. Manuel's Tavern, 602 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta. 404-525-3447, manuelstavern.com. This monthly storytelling series wants your five- to seven-minute story about an event or realization that changed your future. More information and storytelling tips at facebook.com/events/1452996624976644.
Rebecca Makkai, "The Hundred-Year House." 6-9 p.m. Aug. 27. Dinner, Q&A, signing, reading. $89 for dinner and a copy of the book. Reading is free. Westside Provisions District, 1100 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta. 404-872-7538, westsidepd.com/news-and-press/news/events/sundown-series. The setting for Makkai's new novel is the turn-of-the-century estate of a quirky old-money family. The narrative moves backward in time to lead the reader on a literary scavenger hunt while unearthing the truth about the family and its house. JCT Kitchen chef E.J. Hodgkinson will prepare a three-course, prix fixe meal served at 6 p.m. in the lower courtyard at 1198 Howell Mill Road. Call 404-355-2252 for reservations. Reading starts at 8 p.m.
Randy Susan Meyers, "Accidents of Marriage." 6:30 p.m. Aug. 27. Signing. Free. FoxTale Book Shoppe, 105 E. Main St., Woodstock. 770-516-9989, foxtalebookshoppe.com/events. Meyers' new novel tells of life inside an abusive marriage.
Fall book preview. 7:15 p.m. Aug. 27. Discussion. Free. Decatur Library Auditorium, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. 404-370-8450, Ext. 2225; georgiacenterforthebook.org/Events/show.php?id=719. A presentation by America's biggest publishers about fall's hottest new books.
Fiona Zedde, "Desire at Dawn," and Sheree L. Greer, "Let the Lover Be." 7 p.m. Aug. 30. Discussion, signing. $5 suggested donation. Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-524-0304, charisbooksandmore.com/event/fiona-zedde-and-sheree-l-greer-present-blood-and-wine-tour. Greer and Zedde will discuss their new works and life as writers.
"Best American Poetry" launch: Jericho Brown and Patricia Lockwood. 3 p.m. Aug. 30. Free. Decatur Recreation Center Gym, 231 Sycamore St., Decatur. decaturbookfestival.com/2014/schedule/event-details.php?id=746. The foremost annual anthology of contemporary American poetry returns. Lockwood ("Motherland, Fatherland, Homelandsexuals") and Brown ("The New Testament") will read from the anthology and from their own new books.
What's the Point of Book Reviews: Valerie Boyd, Tray Butler, Lev Grossman, Parul Kapur Hinzen and Kate Tuttle. Noon Aug. 31. Panel discussion. Free. Marriott Conference Center Ballroom A, 130 Clairmont Ave., Decatur. decaturbookfestival.com/2014/schedule/event-details.php?id=777#sthash.AJdIoM4o.dpuf. Join five critics as they discuss reviewing and talk about the book review's relevance today.
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