Gin Phillips, "Fierce Kingdom." In Phillips's gripping new novel, a woman's routine trip to the zoo with her son becomes an electrifying race to escape a sniper, using survival skills she never realized she had: the everyday routines of motherhood. 6:30 p.m. July 25. Talk, reading, Q&A, signing. Free. FoxTale Book Shoppe, 105 E. Main St., Woodstock, 770-516-9989, foxtalebookshoppe.com
Carapace: Sour Grapes. Bring a true story five to seven minutes long about your best sour-grapes experience: is there a job you wanted but didn't get, a person you still want but wish you didn't? 7 p.m. July 25. Storytelling. Free. Manuel's Tavern, 602 N. Highland Ave. Atlanta, 404-525-3447, manuelstavern.com/
Lawrence Wright, "The Terror Years: From Al-Qaeda to the Islamic State." Wright ("The Looming Tower") draws on previous articles for this unifying recollection of the roots of contemporary Middle Eastern terrorism, a study of how it has grown and metastasized, and where terrorism might take us yet. 8 p.m. July 26. Talk, signing. $10. Atlanta History Center, 130 West Paces Ferry Road NW., Atlanta, 404-814-4150, atlantahistorycenter.com
Vanessa Grubbs, "Hundreds of Interlaced Fingers: A Kidney Doctor's Search for the Perfect Match." Shaped by Grubbs's remarkable experiences as a doctor, a woman of color, a mother, and a kidney donor, her memoir is a love story, an exposé, and a call for us all to consider the dualities of both loving and letting go. 7 p.m. July 27. Signing. Free. Eagle Eye Book Shop, 2076 N. Decatur Road, Decatur, 404-486-0307, eagleeyebooks.com
Lauren Karcz, "The Gallery of Unfinished Girls." A stalled artist who sees curious signs that her creative block might be about to end, must eventually choose between a perfect world of art and truth and a much messier reality. 7:30 p.m. July 28. Launch, reading, Q&A, signing. Free. $5 suggested donation. Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave NE., Atlanta, 404-524-0304, charisbooksandmore.com
Joy Callaway, "Secret Sisters" and Ricki Schultz, "Mr. Right Swipe." Callaway ("The Fifth Avenue Artists Society") returns with an unforgettable historical novel based on the founding of the country's first sororities. Schultz's wry debut speaks to anyone who's ever been on a bad date. 2 p.m. July 29. Signing. Free. FoxTale Book Shoppe, 105 E. Main St., Woodstock, 770-516-9989, foxtalebookshoppe.com/events/
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