Danielle Hanson, "Ambushing Water." Hanson employs a vocabulary of diverse images — slugs, animals, flowers, constellations and emotions — to make the world new. 2 p.m. May 21. Reading. Free. Tall Tales Book Shop, Toco Hill Shopping Center, 2105 LaVista Road NE, Atlanta. 404-636-2498, talltalesatlanta.com/events.html.
Scott Turow, "Testimony." Best-selling author Turow returns with a gripping legal thriller about an American prosecutor's investigation of a refugee camp's mystifying disappearance. 7 p.m. May 21. Reading, talk, signing. $30-$40 includes copy of book. SCADshow, 173 14th St. NE, Atlanta. 404-253-2740, acappellabooks.com/pages/events/129/scott-turow-testimony.
Nathan Hill, "The Nix." A college professor and stalled writer whose mother abandoned the family when he was a boy must come to her aid when she commits a crime that electrifies the nightly news and inflames a politically divided country. 7 p.m. May 22. Talk, signing. $10. Margaret Mitchell House, 979 Crescent Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-814-4150, atlantahistorycenter.com/programs/nathan-hill-the-nix.
John T. Edge, "The Potlikker Papers: A Food History of the Modern South." Edge offers a people's history that reveals how Southerners shaped American culinary identity and how race relations impacted Southern food culture over six revolutionary decades. Along the way, he profiles extraordinary figures in Southern food, including Colonel Sanders, Mahalia Jackson, Edna Lewis and Sean Brock. 7 p.m. May 22. Reading, discussion, Q&A, signing. $45 includes copy of book and tastings from local eateries. Highland Inn Ballroom, 644 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta. 404-681-5128, acappellabooks.com/pages/events/142/john-t-edge-the-potlikker-papers-a-food.
Chuck Klosterman, "X." One of the sharpest and most prolific observers of our times rounds up his favorite pieces, both original and some with previously unpublished passages and digressions. Subjects include "Breaking Bad," Lou Reed, zombies, Kiss, Jimmy Page, steroids, Mountain Dew, the Beatles, Usain Bolt and Eddie Van Halen, among many others. 7:15 p.m. May 22. Talk, signing. Free. Decatur Library Auditorium, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. 404-370-3070, ext. 2285, georgiacenterforthebook.org/Events/show.php?id=956.
Richard Russo, "Trajectory." The New Englanders in Russo's new collection of short fiction bear little resemblance to the blue-collar citizens from many of his novels; these characters are successful, middle-aged or older professionals whose trajectory involves weathering a crisis and gamely enduring. 7 p.m. May 23. Talk, signing. $10. Margaret Mitchell House, 979 Crescent Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-814-4150, atlantahistorycenter.com/programs/richard-russo-trajectory.
Mark Pendergrast, "City on the Verge: Atlanta and the Fight for America's Urban Future." Atlanta-born Pendergrast ("For God, Country & Coca-Cola") uses the Beltline saga to explore issues of race, education, public health, transportation, business, philanthropy, urban planning, religion, politics and community. 7 p.m. May 23. Talk, signing. Free. Carter Presidential Library & Museum, 441 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta. 404-865-7100, jimmycarterlibrary.gov/events/. Also appearing: 7 p.m. May 24. Talk, signing. Free. Atlanta Beltline Partnership Office, 112 Krog St., Suite 14, Atlanta. 404-446-4404, http://cityontheverge.com/events. And 7 p.m. May 25. Reading, signing. Free. Tall Tales Book Shop, Toco Hill Shopping Center, 2105 LaVista Road NE, Atlanta. 404-636-2498, www.talltalesatlanta.com/events.html.
Man Martin, "The Lemon Jell-O Syndrome." A man who can't seem to walk through doors consults a neurologist who prescribes a series of daily tasks: compliment a stranger, do good deeds, and remember that every day is a Good Day. Martin will discuss writing, literature and the meaning of life with book critic Teresa Weaver. 7:15 p.m. May 23. Reading, talk, signing. Free. Decatur Library Auditorium, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. 404-370-3070, ext. 2285, georgiacenterforthebook.org/.
Molly Brodak, "Bandit," and Cory Martin, "Love Sick." Brodak's stunning, gut-punch story of family and memory explores the narratives we tell ourselves and a father's responsibility for his children. In Martin's smart and witty account of dating while navigating a life of uncertain health, she tackles her fears head-on with humor and grace. 7:15 p.m. May 25. Discussion, reading, signing. Free. Decatur Library Auditorium, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. 404-370-3070, ext. 2285, georgiacenterforthebook.org/Events/show.php?id=954.
Marian Thomas, "I Believe in Butterflies." Atlanta author Thomas follows three women as they navigate life's often rocky terrain in search of hope, courage and love. 4 p.m. May 27. Reading, signing. Free. Tall Tales Book Shop, Toco Hill Shopping Center, 2105 LaVista Road NE, Atlanta. 404-636-2498, talltalesatlanta.com/events.html.
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