Mary Kay Andrews, "The Weekenders." 3 p.m. May 15. Launch party. $35, includes signed copy of the book, swag bag, food, drink. RSVP. 2nd Floor Gallery, Ponce City Market, 675 Ponce de Leon Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 770-516-9989, foxtalebookshoppe.com. A vacationer on a North Carolina island discovers her summer home is under foreclosure and her about-to-be ex-husband has disappeared.
Simon Sebag Montefiore, "The Romanoffs: 1613-1918." 7:15 p.m. May 16. Talk, signing. Free. Decatur Library Auditorium, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. 404-370-3070, Ext. 2285; georgiacenterforthebook.org/events. Montefiore ("Jerusalem: The Biography") examines Russia's ruthless imperial dynasty.
Rheta Grimsley Johnson, "The Dogs Buried Over the Bridge: A Memoir in Dog Years." 6:30 p.m. May 17. Reading, signing. Free. FoxTale Book Shoppe, 105 E. Main St., Woodstock. 770-516-9989, foxtalebookshoppe.com/events. Johnson uses dogs as metaphors for love, loss and life.
Patricia Engel, "The Veins of the Ocean." 7:15 p.m. May 17. Talk, signing. Free. Decatur Library Auditorium, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. 404-370-3070, Ext. 2285; georgiacenterforthebook.org/events. A young woman whose brother committed a shocking crime escapes to the Florida Keys, hoping to find freedom from the burden of guilt she carries.
Melissa Fay Greene, "The Underdogs: Children, Dogs, and the Power of Unconditional Love." 7 p.m. May 17. Reading, signing. Free. SCADshow, 173 14th St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-253-2740, acappellabooks.com/event. Also appearing: 7:30 p.m. May 19. $15. Marcus Jewish Community Center, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. 678-812-4000, atlantajcc.org/pldb-live. Greene ("No Biking in the House Without A Helmet") writes about dogs that help children and adults deal with grief; emotional, physical and cognitive disability; and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Sherman Alexie, "Thunder Boy Jr." 7 p.m. May 18. Signing. Free. Tickets for signing line with purchase of the book from Little Shop of Stories. Decatur Library Auditorium, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. 404-370-3070, Ext. 2285; georgiacenterforthebook.org/events. In Alexie's new children's book, Thunder Boy Jr. wants his own name.
Richard Zacks, "Chasing the Last Laugh: Mark Twain's Raucous and Redemptive Round-the-World Comedy Tour." 7 p.m. May 18. Talk, signing. $10. Margaret Mitchell House, 979 Crescent Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-249-7015, atlantahistorycenter.com/program. At age 60, broke and miserable, Twain embarked on a five-year lecture tour.
Ted Geltner, "Blood, Bone and Marrow: A Biography of Harry Crews," with Michael Connelly. 6 p.m. May 18. Launch party. Free. Wrecking Bar Brewpub @ the Marianna, 292 Moreland Ave. N.E., Atlanta. acappellabooks.com/event. Geltner has written the first full-length biography of the legendary author of "A Feast of Snakes."
Bronwen Dickey, "Pit Bull: The Battle Over an American Icon." 7 p.m. May 19. Reading, signing. Free. Carter Presidential Library & Museum Theater, 441 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta. 404-865-7100, jimmycarterlibrary.gov/events. Dickey offers a clear-eyed portrait of the much-misunderstood pit bull.
Martha Lemasters, "The Step: One Woman's Journey to Finding Her Own Happiness and Success During the Apollo Space Program." 2 p.m. May 21. Talk, signing. Free. Barnes & Noble, Mansell Crossings SC, 7660 Northpoint Parkway, Alpharetta. 770-993-8340, barnesandnoble.com/event. Lemasters, who worked her way up from secretary to public relations writer, recounts her time on the team behind the Apollo program.
