Laura Lane McNeal "Doll-Baby." 6:30 p.m. June 29. Talk, signing. Free. FoxTale Book Shoppe, 105 E. Main St., Woodstock. 770-516-9989, foxtalebookshoppe.com/events. In McNeal's debut novel, set in civil rights-era New Orleans, an orphaned girl sent to live with her eccentric grandmother finds refuge in the care of the African-American cook and learns that family can be found in the least expected places.
Jesse Goolsby, "I'd Walk With My Friends If I Could Find Them." 7 p.m. June 29. Talk, signing. Free. A Cappella Books, 208 Haralson Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-681-5128, acappellabooks.com/event/jesse-goolsby-book-signing. Three U.S. soldiers face an impossible choice in Goolsby's debut novel: risk death or commit a harrowing act of war. The aftershocks echo long after each returns home.
Jane Porter, "It's You," and Wendy Wax, "A Week at the Lake." 6:30 p.m. June 29. Signing. $7. RSVP. Book Exchange, 2956 Canton Road, Marietta. 770-427-4848, bookexchangemarietta.com. Porter also appearing: 7 p.m. June 30. Signing. Free. Bookmiser, 4651 Sandy Plains Road, Roswell. 770-993-1555, bookmiser.net/happenings2.html. In Porter's new novel, a woman leaves home in the wake of a tragedy to care for her ailing father and finds hope again in new friends — especially an elderly woman who's seen it all — and in the stories of the World War II generation. Wax's new novel celebrates the bonds of friendship between three women.
Becky Albertalli, "Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda," Katie M. Stout, "Hello, I Love You," Gina Ciocca, "Last Year's Mistake," and Melissa E. Hurst, "The Edge of Forever." 6:30 p.m. June 30. Signing. Free. FoxTale Book Shoppe, 105 E. Main St., Woodstock. 770-516-9989, foxtalebookshoppe.com/events. A not-openly-gay 16-year-old's secret is at risk when an email falls into the wrong hands in Albertalli's debut novel. A teen escapes to a boarding school abroad and falls for a Korean pop star in Stout's romantic tale. In Ciocca's romantic debut, two teens' friendship sours after a misunderstanding, only to blossom senior year. Hurst's time-travel mystery concerns a teen in 2013 who believes someone is following her, and a 17-year-old from the future who travels to the past only to find his dead father there to prevent a murder.
Stuart K Robinson, "It All Begins with 'I': The 'New Rules of Thinking' and the Simple Secrets to Living a Rich, Joyous and Fulfilled Life." 6:30 p.m. July 1. Talk, Q&A, signing. Free with purchase of the book on-site. Barnes & Noble Buckhead, 2900 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-261-7747, store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/4859792. Robinson explains the futility of trying to alter the system, your boss, your significant other or your life when the best way to effect change is to adjust yourself.
On sale: Elvis Costello, "Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink," and Patti Smith, "M Train." Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-524-7354, variety-playhouse.com. Two rock legends will hit Atlanta this fall to talk about their upcoming memoirs. Costello appears Oct. 19 in conversation with Chuck Reece, editor of the online magazine the Bitter Southerner. On Nov. 12, Smith takes the same stage to read from and discuss her follow-up to "Just Kids." Costello tickets are $32 ($35 the night of the show) and include a signed book. Smith tickets are $29 ($32 the night of the show) and include a signed book. Tickets are available at the Variety Playhouse box office or website.
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