Mary Kay Andrews, "Beach Town." 4 p.m. May 17. Signing, launch party. $35, includes a signed book. Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams at Avalon, 5185 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta. 678-248-5185, foxtalebookshoppe.com/mary-kay-andrews-book-launch. A struggling location scout discovers the perfect movie setting on an unspoiled patch of the Florida Gulf Coast. Can she convince the mayor to sacrifice his town for the movie's explosive finale?
An evening with Pat Conroy and friends. 7 p.m. May 18. Discussion, signing. Free. First Baptist Church of Decatur, 308 Clairmont Ave., Decatur. 404-373-1653, georgiacenterforthebook.org/Events/show.php?id=783. Conroy, editor-at-large for the University of South Carolina's Story River Books, will join four of the imprint's authors: John Lane, Bernie and Maggie Schein, and Mary Hood.
Sarah McCoy, "The Mapmaker's Children," Beatriz Williams, "The Secret Life of Violet Gray," and Karen White, "The Sound of Glass." 6:30 p.m. May 19. Reading, signing. Free. FoxTale Book Shoppe, 105 E. Main St., Woodstock. 770-516-9989, foxtalebookshoppe.com/events.
Alan Axelrod, "Lost Destiny: Joe Kennedy Jr. and the Doomed WWII Mission to Save London." 6:30 p.m. May 19. Reading, signing. Free. Carter Presidential Library & Museum Theater, 441 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta. 404-865-7100, jimmycarterlibrary.gov/events. Axelrod tells a story of heroism, the Kennedy dynasty that might have been, and the origin of today's military drones.
Lunch and Learn: Bob Kelley, "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention." Noon May 19. Talk, signing. Bring your own lunch. Free. Second Floor, DeKalb History Center Museum, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur. 404-373-1088, dekalbhistory.org/dekalb_history_center_events-programs.htm. Kelley traces the CDC's history through vintage photographs.
Cristina Henriquez, "The Book of Unknown Americans." 7 p.m. May 19. Talk, signing. $10. Reservations required. Margaret Mitchell House & Museum, 990 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-814-4150, atlantahistorycenter.com/upcoming-programs. In Henríquez' new novel (after "The World in Half"), immigrants from Latin America share stories of coming to the U.S. and their lives here.
Sally Mann, "Hold Still." 7 p.m. May 20. Talk, signing. $10. Reservations required. Atlanta History Center, 130 W. Paces Ferry Road N.W., Atlanta. 404-814-4150, atlantahistorycenter.com/upcoming-programs. In her memoir-scrapbook, photographer Mann traces themes of race, mortality and the landscape of the South through her family history.
John Connell, "Ruins of War." 7 p.m. May 20. Reading, signing. Free. A Cappella Books, 208 Haralson Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-681-5128, acappellabooks.com/event/john-connell-book-signing. In Atlanta native Connell's debut, a former homicide detective who was a U.S. soldier-POW tracks a killer stalking post World War II Munich.
Ruth Reichl, "Delicious! A Novel." 6 p.m. May 21. Talk, signing, dinner. $125, includes cocktails, three-course meal, signed copy of the book and admission to Bruce Munro light exhibit. Call 404-585-2061 to reserve seats. Linton's in the Garden, Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave N.E., Atlanta. acappellabooks.com/event/table-ruth-reichl. Also appearing: 3 p.m. May 21. Signing. Free. A Cappella Books, 208 Haralson Ave, Atlanta. 404-681-5128, acappellabooks.com/event/table-ruth-reichl. In the first novel by the best-selling food writer ("Comfort Me With Apples"), a New York food magazine staffer discovers letters written by a 12-year-old girl to legendary chef James Beard during WWII.
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