William J. Morton, "Andrew Ellicott: The Stargazer Who Defined America." 7:15 p.m. Aug. 3. Talk, signing. Free. Decatur Library Auditorium, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. 404-370-3070, Ext. 2285; georgiacenterforthebook.org/Events/show.php?id=803. Astronomer-surveyor Ellicott
ventured into unknown territory, dealing with hostile Indians and Spanish spies, when was sent in the late 1700s to mark the new U.S. boundary from the Mississippi River to the Atlantic Ocean.
Paula McLain, "Circling the Sun." 7 p.m. Aug 5. Talk, signing. $10. Reservations required. Margaret Mitchell House & Museum, 990 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-814-4150, atlantahistorycenter.com/program/mmh-lecture-paula-mclain-circling-sun. McLain ("The Paris Wife") returns with a novel set in 1920s Kenya, where a circle of expats includes record-setting aviator Beryl Markham, safari hunter Denys Finch Hatton and "Out of Africa" author Isak Dinesen.
Linda Kelly, "Deadheads: Stories From Fellow Artists, Friends & Followers of the Grateful Dead." 7 p.m. Aug. 6. Signing. Free. A Cappella Books, 208 Haralson Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-681-5128, acappellabooks.com/event/linda-kelly-book-signing. Kelly looks at one of rock 'n' roll's most beloved bands through the voices of the Grateful Dead's fans.
Tiyi M. Morris, "Womanpower Unlimited and the Black Freedom Struggle in Mississippi." 7:15 p.m. Aug. 6. Talk, signing. Free. Decatur Library Auditorium, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. 404-370-3070, Ext. 2285; georgiacenterforthebook.org/Events/show.php?id=805. Morris looks at the Jackson, Miss.–based organization's role in sustaining the civil rights movement in that state.
Melanie Sumner, "How to Write a Novel." 5 p.m. Aug. 8. Launch party. Free. FoxTale Book Shoppe, 105 E. Main St., Woodstock. 770-516-9989, foxtalebookshoppe.com/events. Georgia native Sumner ("Ghost of Milagro Creek") spoofs how-to books in this story about a 12-year-old girl trying to rescue her family by penning a best-selling novel.
Don Reichardt and Joyce Oscar, "The Blue Wall." 2 p.m. Aug. 8. Talk, signing. Free. Atlanta-Fulton Public Library, Roswell Branch, 115 Norcross St., Roswell. 770-640-3075, afpls.org/roswell-branch6. From two former local journalists comes a second mystery about an Atlanta newspaper reporter with a penchant for getting into trouble.
Sheila E., "The Beat of My Own Drum." Noon Aug. 8. Doors open at 11 a.m. Signing. Free with purchase of the book. Barnes & Noble Edgewood, 1217 Caroline St., Atlanta. 404-522-0212, store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/store/2204. Singer-drummer-percussionist Sheila E.'s memoir is a fascinating walk through some of the biggest moments in Latin and pop music from the 1970s and '80s as well as a look at music's healing powers.
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