Lawrence Jackson, “My Father’s Name: A Black Virginia Family After the Civil War.” 3 p.m. June 30. Discussion and signing. Free. Reservations required; reserve online at myfathersname.eventbrite.com. Auburn Avenue Research Library, 101 Auburn Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-730-4001, Ext.100; www.afpls.org/aarl. In this moving historical memoir, Emory professor Jackson recounts his family history, recalling both the horror of slavery and the later struggles for post-bellum freedom. Jackson also will discuss the detailed genealogical research that enabled him to trace his family history to his grandfather’s grandfather, a man who was born or sold into slavery.
Jen Sincero, “You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life.” 7 p.m. July 1. Reading, discussion and signing. Free. Highland Inn Ballroom, 644 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta. 404-681-5128, www.acappellabooks.com. In her refreshingly blunt how-to guide, success coach Sincero (“Don’t Sleep With Your Drummer”) serves up 27 easy-to-digest chapters of hilarious and inspiring stories, life-changing insights and easy exercises.
Douglas Kennedy, “Five Days.” 7 p.m. July 1. Lecture and signing. $10. Alliance Française d’Atlanta Midtown, Colony Square, Plaza Level, Suite 561, 1197 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-875-121, www.afatl.com. Kennedy (“The Moment”) asks fundamental moral questions in his new novel, written from the perspective of a 41-year old woman who is beginning to re-evaluate her small-town life and make significant choices that could reinvent her future.
Curtis Sittenfeld, “Sisterland.” 7:15 p.m. July 1. Talk and signing. Free. Decatur Library Auditorium, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. 404-370-8450, Ext. 2225; www.georgiacenterforthebook.org. In the new novel by Sittenfeld (“American Wife”) about the fine line between truth and belief, identical twin sisters have had psychic visions since they were very young. Estranged as adults, the sisters are brought back to their hometown of St. Louis on the eve of a disaster.
Karin Slaughter, “Unseen.” 3 p.m. July 6. Discussion and signing. Free. Barnes & Noble, 5141 Peachtree Parkway, Norcross. 770-209-4244, http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/store/2070. At a daylong book fair beginning at 9 a.m. customers who mention the Gwinnett County Public Library while checking out can benefit the library with their purchases. Also appearing: 7 p.m. July 8. Talk and signing. $10. Reservations requested. Margaret Mitchell House & Museum, 990 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-814-4150, www.margaretmitchellhouse.com. Best-selling author Slaughter sets the latest volume of her long-running Georgia-based series in Macon, where GBI agent Will Trent goes undercover to infiltrate a crime ring, not realizing girlfriend Sarah Linton is involved in the same case.
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