David Sedaris, "Theft By Finding Diaries (1977–2002)." The best-selling author ("Me Talk Pretty One Day"), humorist and NPR contributor will offer a selection of all-new readings and recollections. 7 p.m. Oct. 22. Discussion, Q&A, signing. $45.50-$60.50. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. NE., Atlanta, 404-881-2100, foxtheatre.org
David DiBenedetto and John Huey, "S Is for Southern: A Guide to the South, from Absinthe to Zydeco." This Gun & Garden encyclopedia of Southern life, culture, and history, includes 100 essays from notable Southerners, including Rick Bragg on Harper Lee, Jessica B. Harris on field peas, and Jason Isbell on the Atlanta Braves. 6 p.m. Oct. 23. Launch party. $40. Atlanta History Center, 130 West Paces Ferry Road NW., Atlanta, 404-814-4150, atlantahistorycenter.com
Roddy Doyle, "Smile." Doyle ("Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha") returns with a haunting novel in which an unexpected pub encounter leads a man to review his years at a Catholic school for boys, and the uncomfortable memories he has until now been able to forget. 7 p.m. Oct. 23. Reading, discussion, Q&A, signing. Free. SCADshow, 173 14th St. NE., Atlanta, 404-253-2740, scadshow.com
Carapace: Left Behind. Tell your 5-7 minute story together about being deserted, dumped, discarded, forsaken—or about when you left something or someone behind. 7 p.m. Oct. 24. Storytelling. Free. Manuel's Tavern, 602 North Highland Ave., Atlanta, 404-525-3447, manuelstavern.com/
Richard Rothstein, "The Color of Law." Rothstein provides a national perspective on the history of state-sponsored residential segregation, showing how the process of segregation began with explicit racial zoning. 7 p.m. Oct. 24. Lecture, signing. Free. Carter Presidential Library & Museum, 441 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta, 404-865-7100, jimmycarterlibrary.gov
Ron Chernow, "Grant." Chernow's definitive biography is a grand synthesis of painstaking research and literary brilliance that makes sense of all sides of Grant's life, explaining how this simple Midwesterner could at once be so ordinary and so extraordinary. 8 p.m. Oct. 24. Talk, signing. $10. Atlanta History Center, 130 West Paces Ferry Road NW., Atlanta, 404-814-4150, atlantahistorycenter.com
Founders Lecture: James Meredith, "Public Education: The Critical Civil Rights Issue of Our Time." Civil rights pioneer and author Meredith, the first African-American to enroll at the University of Mississippi, orchestrated the 1966 March Against Fear, a 220-mile walk intended to encourage blacks to register and vote. Meredith's most recent book, "A Mission from God: A Memoir and Challenge for America," reflects on his personal life but also challenges Americans to overhaul the public education system so all people can overcome poverty. 6:30 p.m. Oct. 25. Lecture. Free. Georgia State University, Centennial Hall Auditorium, 100 Auburn Ave. NE., Atlanta, 404-413-2000, news.gsu.edu
Dr. Maurice J. Hobson, "The Legend of the Black Mecca." Using vivid primary sources and oral histories from Atlanta's underbelly, Georgia State assistant professor Hobson argues that Atlanta's political leadership has governed by bargaining with white business interests to the detriment of ordinary black Atlantans. 7 p.m. Oct 25. Lecture, free. Auburn Avenue Research Library, 101 Auburn Ave. NE., Atlanta, 404-730-4001, Ext. 100, afpls.org
Celeste Headlee, "We Need To Talk." Public radio celebrity and host of the show "On Second Thought," Headlee offers simple tools that can improve anyone's communication. 7 p.m. Oct. 25. Talk, signing. Free. Eagle Eye Book Shop, 2076 N. Decatur Road, Decatur, 404-486-0307, eagleeyebooks.com
Michel Stone, "Border Child." A couple crossing from Mexico to the United States in pursuit of the American Dream endure every parent's worst fear when their infant daughter vanishes. 7 p.m. Oct. 25. Reading, talk, signing. Free. The Wrecking Bar, 292 Moreland Ave. NE., Atlanta, 404-221-2600, acappellabooks.com
Thomas Mullen, "Lightning Men." In Mullin's gripping follow-up to "Darktown," a white cop and two black officers have their hands full when black families move into formerly all-white neighborhoods in 1950s-era Atlanta, setting racial tensions to simmering. 2 p.m. Oct. 28. FoxTale Book Shoppe, 105 E. Main St., Woodstock, 770-516-9989, foxtalebookshoppe.com
