New Southern Voices Series: Susan Rivers, “The Second Mrs. Hockaday”
7 p.m. Jan. 31. Talk, signing. Free. Margaret Mitchell House, 979 Crescent Ave. NE, Atlanta, 404-814-4150, http://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/programs/category/author-programs
By the time a Civil War soldier returns from the front lines after two years, his new bride is bound for jail, accused of having borne a child in his absence and murdering it. Inspired by a true incident, Rivers’ first novel unfolds with gripping intensity.
Jonathan Rabb, “Among the Living”
7:15 p.m. Jan. 31. Talk, signing. Free. Decatur Library Auditorium, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur, 404-370-3070, Ext. 2285, http://www.georgiacenterforthebook.org/Events/show.php?id=923
Rabb’s moving novel follows a Holocaust survivor’s unconventional journey back to Jim Crow-era Savannah, where he finds echoes of his recent past in the lives of the black family who work for his family.
Thomas Friedman, “Thank You for Being Late: An Optimist’s Guide to Thriving in the Age of Accelerations”
7:30 p.m. Feb. 1. Talk, signing. $24. MJCCA - Marcus Jewish Community Center, Zaban Park, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody, 678-812-4000, https://www.acappellabooks.com/pages/events/80/thomas-friedman-thank-you-for-being-late
Friedman exposes the tectonic movements that are reshaping the world today and explains how to get the most out of them and cushion their worst impacts. His book will change the way you understand the news, your work, your kids’ education, and the moral and geopolitical choices our country has to navigate.
Lisa Gardner, “Right Behind You”
7 p.m. Feb. 1. Reading, signing. Free. Norcross Cultural Arts & Community Center, 10 College St., Norcross, 770-978-5154, http://www.gwinnettpl.org/calendar/2017-02-01/
A young girl whose brother once saved her life now wonders if he could be the killer on the loose that her new family — a retired FBI profiler and his partner — is hunting down.
David Raney, Memoir Writing Workshop
11 a.m. Feb. 1. Workshop. Free. Gwinnett Library Peachtree Corners Branch, 5570 Spalding Drive, Peachtree Corners, 770-978-5154, http://www.gwinnettpl.org/calendar/2017-02-01/
Raney will present the best way to begin or to develop your personal writing, what makes writing a memoir different from journaling or biography, and how to write and edit a legacy memoir.
Kendal Weaver, “Ten Stars: The African American Journey of Gary Cooper — Marine General, Diplomat, Businessman and Politician”
7 p.m. Feb. 1. Talk, signing. Free. Carter Presidential Library & Museum Theater, 441 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta, 404-865-7100, http://www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov/events/
Cooper, an African-American born to an Alabama family that challenged the rule of segregation, went on to become the U.S. Marines’ first black commander of a combat infantry company in Vietnam, the Corps’ first black general from infantry, an Alabama state legislator and governor’s cabinet official, an Air Force civilian four-star who promoted the Tuskegee Airmen, and the first black U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica.
Timothy Tyson, “The Blood of Emmett Till”
8 p.m. Feb. 2. Talk, signing. $10. RSVP. Atlanta History Center, 130 West Paces Ferry Road N.W., Atlanta, 404-814-4150, http://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/programs/category/author-programs
Tyson (“Blood Done Sign My Name”) uses a range of sources — including the only interview ever given by storekeeper Carolyn Bryant, along with her unpublished memoir — to tell the definitive story of Emmett Till, murdered in 1955 after allegedly flirting with a white woman.
Tantrum: Kate Tuttle, Susan Rebecca White, and Megan Sexton
7 p.m. Sat. Feb. 4. Storytelling. Free. Kavarna Bar/Coffeeshop, 707 East Lake Drive, Decatur, 404-371-1113, http://www.kavarnadecatur.com/site/
Stories of parenting adventures from local authors, with Parental Moments of Glory a-plenty. Leave the kids at home with a baby sitter and come on out!
Amber Brock, “A Fine Imitation,” Beatriz Williams, “Wicked City,” and Karen White, “The Guests on South Battery”
1 p.m. Feb. 4. Talk, signing. Free. FoxTale Book Shoppe, 105 E. Main St., Woodstock, 770-516-9989, http://www.foxtalebookshoppe.com/events/
The authors will discuss their latest novels and take questions from the audience, focusing on the similarities and differences in their books, their publishing journeys, writing methods and more.
