Megan Volpert, "Only Ride," and Brock Guthrie, "Contemplative Man." 7:30 p.m. May 25. Readings. Free. Highland Inn Ballroom, 644 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta. 404-681-5128, meganvolpert.com/events.html. Two Southern poets share their most recent work.
Kate Sweeney, "American Afterlife: Encounters in the Customs of Mourning." 2 p.m. May 25. Reading and signing. Free. Historic Oakland Cemetery, 248 Oakland Ave. S.E., Atlanta. 404-688-2107, oaklandcemetery.com, americanafterlifebook.com. Oakland Cemetery has its own chapter in Sweeney's new book of essays about America's quirky memorial traditions.
Carapace. 7:30 p.m. May 27. Oral storytelling. Free. Manuel's Tavern, 602 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta. 404-525-3447, manuelstavern.com. Build a story, 5 to 7 minutes long, around any form of bad behavior — yours or someone else's.
Jessica Handler, "Braving the Fire: A Guide to Writing About Grief and Loss." 6 p.m. May 29. Writers workshop. $30, includes a copy of the book. Reservations required. Manuel's Tavern, 602 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta. 404-681-5128, acappellabooks.com/event/writing-workshop-jessica-handler. Memoirist and writing instructor Handler will explore strategies for strong literary writing, discuss cross-disciplinary research in creating trauma narratives, and start some writing exercises. Open to writers of all levels.
Benjamin Ross, "Dead End: Suburban Sprawl and the Rebirth of American Urbanism." 7 p.m. May 29. Reading and signing. Free. Manuel's Tavern, 602 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta. acappellabooks.com/event/benjamin-ross-book-signing. Ross looks at the history of suburbanization and urban decline/revival, analyzes contemporary planning, and offers suggestions on how to effect lasting change.
John Warley, "A Southern Girl." 6 p.m. May 30. Signing. Free. FoxTale Book Shoppe, 105 E. Main St., Woodstock. 770-516-9989, foxtalebookshoppe.com/events. Set in Charleston's tradition-loving South of Broad neighborhood, Warley's novel spins a tale of international adoption, and of families lost and found anew.
Craig Johnson, "Any Other Name." 12:15 p.m. May 30. Discussion and signing. Free. Booth Western Museum, 501 Museum Drive, Cartersville. 770-387-1300, boothmuseum.org, acappellabooks.com/event/craig-johnson-book-signing. Best-selling author Johnson's Walt Longmire mystery series is the basis of the hit A&E drama "Longmire."
Vicky Alvear Shecter, "Curses and Smoke: A Novel of Pompeii." 7 p.m. May 30. Reading and signing. Refreshments. Free. Little Shop of Stories, 133A E. Court Square, Decatur. 404-373-6300, littleshopofstories.com/events.php. If you've participated in a summer camp at Little Shop, chances are you've met Shecter, author of "Cleopatra's Moon," storyteller extraordinaire, and expert on all things Greek, Roman and Egyptian. Her newest young-adult novel tells a story of love and duty set against the backdrop of an about-to-erupt Mount Vesuvius.
Jodi Helmer, "Farm Fresh Georgia." 6 p.m. May 31. Reading, signing and dinner. Gato, 1660 McLendon Ave., Atlanta. 404-371-0889, eatmespeakme.com/information. Helmer's book reflects agri-tourism trends in the South and the nation. A Cappella Books, chef Jarrett Stieber, Atlanta farm Love Is Love and Georgia Organics will join together for the dinner, which begins at 6:30 p.m.; guests may order a la carte off a custom menu. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Love Is Love and Georgia Organics.
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