Elizabeth Musser, "The Long Highway Home." 7 p.m. Aug 30. Talk, signing. $10. Atlanta History Center, 130 W. Paces Ferry Road N.W., Atlanta. 404-814-4150, atlantahistorycenter.com/visit/event/1097?calendar=month. Musser's novel follows a terminally ill woman back to the refugee center she helped start in Austria.

25th MJCCA Book Festival (Nov. 5-20). Tickets go on sale Sept. 1. Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. 678-812-4005, atlantajcc.org/bookfestival. The various events will include meet-and-greets, book signings, a community read, panel discussions and activities for children and teens.

Sonny Seals and George Hart, "Historic Rural Churches of Georgia." 8 p.m. Sept. 1. Launch, talk, signing. $10. Atlanta History Center, 130 W. Paces Ferry Road N.W., Atlanta. 404-814-4150, atlantahistorycenter.com/program/sonny-seals-and-george-hart-historic-rural-churches-georgia. Atlantans Seals and Hart have researched some of Georgia's most historic and architecturally significant rural churches. Dan Roper will moderate.

Highlights: AJC Decatur Book Festival:

Robert Olen Butler, "Perfume River." 10 a.m. Sept. 3. Talk, signing. Free. Decatur Recreation Center Studio, 231 Sycamore St., Decatur. 404-377-0494, decaturbookfestival.com/sessions/view/57606bbda939303b35e528c2. Butler takes up some of the same themes as his first book ("A Good Scent From a Strange Mountain") in this examination of family ties and the legacy of the Vietnam War.

Ron Rash, "The Risen." 11:15 p.m. Sept. 3. Talk, signing. Free. First Baptist Decatur Sanctuary, 308 Clairmont Ave., Decatur. 404-373-1653, decaturbookfestival.com/sessions/view/57606bbda939303b35e528a4. From the author of "Serena" comes a tale of two brothers whose lives are altered by the events of the summer of 1969 — and the secrets that surface decades later. In conversation with Teresa Weaver.

Carol Anderson, "White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide." 1:45 p.m. Sept. 3. Talk, signing. Free. Decatur Presbyterian Sanctuary, 308 Clairmont Ave., Decatur. 404-373-1653, decaturbookfestival.com/sessions/view/57606bbca939303b35e5289c. Anderson looks at how social progress for African-Americans has been countered by deliberate and cleverly crafted opposition. In conversation with Brett Gadsden.

Frans de Waal, "Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are?" 4:15 p.m. Sept. 3. Talk, signing. Free. First Baptist Decatur Sanctuary, 308 Clairmont Ave., Decatur. 404-373-1653, decaturbookfestival.com/sessions/view/57606bbda939303b35e528e2. Emory University primatologist and ethologist de Waal explores the scope and depth of animal intelligence.

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Helen Gilbert places flowers on her brother Eurie Martin’s grave at Camp Spring Baptist Church in Sandersville. Her brother died eight years ago. Three former Washington County deputies are accused of causing his death and are set to stand trial Monday. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez