Gordon L. Jones, "Confederate Odyssey." 7:15 p.m. Dec. 1. Reading, signing. Free. Decatur Library Auditorium, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. 404-370-8450, Ext. 2225; georgiacenterforthebook.org/Events/show.php?id=749. Jones analyzes the George W. Wray collection — part of about 11,000 Civil War artifacts at the Atlanta History Center — to demonstrate how a slave-based economy on the cusp of industrialization attempted to fight an industrial war.
Robin Shipp, "Justice While Black." 7 p.m. Dec. 2. Talk, signing. Free. Carter Presidential Library & Museum Theater, 441 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta. 404-865-7100, jimmycarterlibrary.gov/events. Shipp's book is a guide for African-American families to understand the criminal justice system and its inequities.
Gary M. Segura, "Latino America: How America's Most Dynamic Population Is Poised to Transform the Politics of the Nation." 8 p.m. Dec. 2. Lecture, signing. $10. Atlanta History Center, 130 W. Paces Ferry Road N.W., Atlanta. 404-814-4150, atlantahistorycenter.com/visit/event/606?calendar=month. As Latinos displace non-Hispanic whites as the largest racial/ethnic group in California, with Texas to follow before 2020, Segura and co-author Matt Barreto show the extent to which Latinos already have transformed the U.S. politically and socially.
Renee Rosen, "What the Lady Wants." 3:30 p.m. Dec. 6. Reading, signing. Free. FoxTale Book Shoppe, 105 E. Main St., Woodstock. 770-516-9989, foxtalebookshoppe.com/events. Rosen's novel delves into retail tycoon Marshall Field's infamous love affair with socialite Delia Spencer, whom he married at age 70.
Sandy Althomsons, "Inside a Refugee Crisis: My Time in South Sudan." 7 p.m. Dec. 3. Reading, signing. Free. Carter Presidential Library & Museum Theater, 441 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta. 404-865-7100, jimmycarterlibrary.gov/events. Epidemiologist Althomsons shares stories from her time in South Sudan with Doctors Without Borders.
Jessica Handler, "Braving the Fire: A Guide to Writing About Grief." 7 p.m. Dec. 3. Workshop. $20, or $30 with a copy of the book. Limited space, RSVP required. A Cappella Books, 208 Haralson Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-681-5128, acappellabooks.com/event/writing-workshop-jessica-handler. Handler ("Invisible Sisters: A Memoir") will explore strategies for writing about loss, grief or trauma, and share writing exercises. Writers of all levels are welcome.
Kristin Russo and Dannielle Owens-Reid, "This Is a Book for Parents of Gay Kids." 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5. Reading, discussion, signing. Free. Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-524-0304, facebook.com/events/791107480921299. The co-founders of the blog Everyone Is Gay offer practical, straightforward advice on how to communicate with and better parent a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender child. Canadian author Vivek Shraya will read from his short-story collection, "God Loves Hair."
A Cappella Books' 25th anniversary celebration. 6 p.m. Dec. 5. Book release party, signings. Free. Carter Presidential Library & Museum Theater, 441 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta. 404-865-7100, acappellabooks.com/event/25th-anniversary-celebration. A Cappella will celebrate with an anthology of essays by 25 mostly local notables on books and bookstores. Contributors include Hank Klibanoff, John T. Edge, Hollis Gillespie, Thomas Mullen, Anthony Grooms, Susan Rebecca White, Jessica Handler and Charles McNair. Festivities begin at the Carter Center, then proceed to Manuel's Tavern for food and drinks.
