Patti Callahan Henry, "The Idea of Love," and Jane Green, "Summer Secrets." 12:30 p.m. June 22. Luncheon. $30. Magnolia Hall, 108 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-516-9989, foxtalebookshoppe.com/events. Henry also appearing: 1:30 p.m. June 23. Luncheon. $40, includes signed book. RSVP. Gabriel's Desserts, 800 Whitlock Ave. N.W., #135, Marietta. 770-427-4848, bookexchangemarietta.com/Events.html. 7:15 p.m. June 23. Launch. Free. Decatur Library Auditorium, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. 404-370-3070, Ext. 2285; georgiacenterforthebook.org/Events/show.php?id=793. In Callahan's new novel, a screenwriter follows two flops by "stealing" a love story from some unsuspecting townspeople. In Green's, a young woman struggles with addiction.
Claire Bidwell Smith, "After This." 7:15 p.m. June 22. Talk, signing. Free. Decatur Library Auditorium, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. 404-370-3070, Ext. 2285; georgiacenterforthebook.org/Events/show.php?id=790. Smith works with mediums, psychics, religion and science in exploring the afterlife.
Annie Barrows, "The Truth According to Us." 7 p.m. June 23. Reading, signing. Free. Barnes & Noble Buckhead, 2900 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-261-7747, store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/85804. Barrows' novel, set in 1930s West Virginia, focuses on a girl, her aunt and a writer who changes their destiny.
Wendy Wax, "A Week at the Lake." 6:30 p.m. June 23. Launch. Free. FoxTale Book Shoppe, 105 E. Main St., Woodstock. 770-516-9989, foxtalebookshoppe.com/events. Also appearing: 8 p.m. June 22. Signing. $25, includes book, wine. Vino Venue, 4478 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody. bookmiser.net. Wax's novel celebrates secrets and the bonds of friendship between three women.
Elizabeth Varon, "Appomattox: Victory, Defeat and Freedom at the End of the Civil War." 8 p.m. June 23. Talk, signing. $10. RSVP. Atlanta History Center, 130 W. Paces Ferry Road N.W., Atlanta. 404-814-4150, atlantahistorycenter.com/programs/lectures. Varon examines the debate after Robert E. Lee's surrender over what it meant and what kind of nation would emerge from the Civil War.
Garry Jones, "Patient vs. Doctor: Misdiagnosis." 5:45 p.m. June 23. Reading, signing. Free. Atlanta-Fulton Public Library Southwest Branch, 3665 Cascade Road, Atlanta. 404-699-6363, afpls.org/southwest-branch6. Some 12 million U.S. adults who seek outpatient medical care are misdiagnosed each year.
Patrick J. Sloyan, "The Politics of Deception: JFK's Secret Decisions on Vietnam, Civil Rights, and Cuba." 7 p.m. June 25. Talk, signing. Free. Carter Presidential Library & Museum Theater, 441 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta. 404-865-7100, jimmycarterlibrary.gov/events. Sloyan shows how President John F. Kennedy attempted to manage world events, control public opinion and forge his legacy.
Jessica Handler, "Braving the Fire: A Guide to Writing About Grief and Loss." 7 p.m. June 25. Workshop. $30 with book; $20 without. Reservations required. A Cappella Books, 208 Haralson Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-681-5128, acappellabooks.com/event/writing-workshop-jessica-handler. Handler will help participants explore strategies for strong literary writing, discuss cross-disciplinary research in creating trauma narratives, and conduct writing exercises.
Robert Beachy, "Gay Berlin: Birthplace of a Modern Identity." 8 p.m. Jun 25. Talk, signing. $10. Atlanta History Center, 130 W. Paces Ferry Road N.W., Atlanta. 404-814-4150, atlantahistorycenter.com/tags/lectures. A look at how 19th century Berlin was a place of tolerance that encouraged the exploration of sexual identities.
Born Under a Bad Sign: Southern Gothic Literature Realized. 7 p.m. June 27. Readings. $15 online, $20 at the door. Villa de Grip, 320 N. Highland Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-577-5319, freshtix.com/events/transgression—-born-under-a-bad-sign-southern-gothic-literature-realized. Laura Relyea and John Carroll curate a new reading series focusing on interpretations of Southern classics by such names as William Faulkner, Tennessee Williams, Eudora Welty and Harper Lee.
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