Sharyn McCrumb, "Prayers the Devil Answers." 2 p.m. May 29. Talk, signing. Free. Eagle Eye Book Shop, 2076 N. Decatur Road, Decatur. 404-486-0307, eagleeyebooks.com. McCrumb explores the ties between a reluctant female sheriff and a condemned man in her new Depression-era novel.
Joseph Ellis, "The Quartet: Orchestrating the Second American Revolution, 1783-1789." 8 p.m. May 31. Talk, signing. $10. Atlanta History Center, 130 W. Paces Ferry Road N.W., Atlanta. 404-814-4150, atlantahistorycenter.com/visit/event. Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Ellis tells why the 13 colonies, having just fought off a distant centralized governing power, decided to subordinate themselves anew.
Gregg Shapiro, "How to Whistle," with Bucky Motter. 7:30 p.m. May 31. Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-524-0304, charisbooksandmore.com/event. Join Shapiro and Motter, a veteran of the Atlanta music scene, for an evening of storytelling and song. Shapiro's story collection features gay men who are full of surprises.
Karen White, "Flight Patterns," and Susan Sands, "Love, Alabama." 6:30 p.m. May 31. Talk, signing party. $7. RSVP by May 30. Book Exchange, 2956 Canton Road, Marietta. 770-427-4848, bookexchangemarietta.com. Local authors write about homecoming: White's latest novel tells of a woman returning to the family she left behind. In Sands' second novel, a TV chef who rescues the family business unexpectedly rekindles an old romance.
Tom Glavine, "Inside Pitch: Playing and Broadcasting the Game I Love." 7 p.m. June 1. Signing. Free with purchase of the book; signing-line wristbands issued beginning at 9 a.m. Barnes & Noble Edgewood, 1217 Caroline St., Atlanta. 404-522-0212, barnesandnoble.com/event. Glavine tells the story of his 22-season Hall of Fame baseball career, including a look at the Braves' glory years.
Collin Kelley, "Leaving Paris," and Erica Wright, "The Granite Moth." 7:15 p.m. June 2. Talk, readings, Q&A. Decatur Library Auditorium, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. 404-370-3070, Ext. 2285; georgiacenterforthebook.org/events. In Kelley's conclusion to his Venus Trilogy, Paris teeters on the brink of chaos. Wright's private detective is on the trail of a deadly gangster. They'll discuss the process of creating a mystery.
Sally Kilpatrick, "Better Get to Livin'." 6:30 p.m. June 2. Launch party. Free. RSVP. Gabriel's Desserts, 800 Whitlock Ave., Marietta. 770-427-4848, bookexchangemarietta.com. In the third book by Kilpatrick ("The Happy Hour Choir"), a woman who works at a funeral home encounters dozens of ghosts — all hoping she can help them move on.
Paul Brandus, "Under This Roof: The White House and the Presidency: 21 Presidents, 21 Rooms, 21 Inside Stories." 7 p.m. June 2. Reading, signing. Free. Carter Presidential Library & Museum Theater, 441 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta. 404-865-7100, jimmycarterlibrary.gov/events. Brandus weaves together stories of presidents, their families — and the White House itself.
Martha Hall Kelly, "Lilac Girls." 7 p.m. June 2. Signing. Free. Barnes & Noble Buckhead, 2900 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-261-7747, stores.barnesandnoble.com/event. The world of a New York socialite posted at the French consulate is forever changed when Hitler sets out to conquer Europe.
Andi Dorfman, "It's Not Okay: Turning Heartbreak Into Happily Never After." 7:30 p.m. June 2. Talk, Q&A, signing, refreshments, cash bar. Free with RSVP. Big Sky Buckhead, 3201 Cains Hill Place N.W., Atlanta. 678-812-4000, atlantajcc.org/pldb-live. Dorfman, a finalist on "The Bachelor" Season 18 and star of "The Bachelorette" Season 10, dishes on living out a love story on camera, and offers advice for moving on after a breakup.
