Rick Ankiel, "The Phenomenon." St. Louis Cardinals prodigy Ankiel tells the story of losing his once-in-a-generation ability to pitch due to a mysterious anxiety disorder — and how he regained it. 7 p.m. May 1. Reading, discussion, signing. Free. Manuel's Tavern, 602 North Highland Ave., Atlanta, 404-525-3447, acappellabooks.com/pages/events/139/rick-ankiel-the-phenomenon
Dr. Willie Parker, "Life's Work: A Moral Argument for Choice." An outspoken reproductive justice advocate, Parker makes a powerful Christian case for championing reproductive rights. Cecille Richards, president of Planned Parenthood, calls his book "a beacon of hope and a call to action." 7 p.m. May 1. Talk, signing. Free. Carter Presidential Library & Museum, 441 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta, 404-865-7100, jimmycarterlibrary.gov/events/
John Sandford, "Golden Prey." In Pulitzer Prize-winner Sandford's 27th Prey series thriller, Lucas Davenport's first case as U.S. Marshall sends him into uncharted territory: Biloxi, Mississippi. 7 p.m. May 1. Talk, signing, silent auction, wine bar. Free. Norcross Cultural Arts & Community Center, 10 College St., Norcross, 770-978-5154, gwinnettpl.org/calendar/john-sandford-author-talk-and-signing/
Gail Caron Levine, "The Lost Kingdom of Bamarre." In this prequel to Newbery Honor-winning Levine's "The Two Princesses of Bamarre," a teenage princess discovers she was lowborn and must fight to overcome deeply rooted prejudice in her country. 6 p.m. May 2. Talk, signing. Free. Atlanta-Fulton Public Library, Roswell Branch, 115 Norcross St., Roswell, 770-640-3075, afpls.org/roswell-branch6
Karen White, "The Night the Lights Went Out." In her latest novel, White ("Flight Patterns") follows a young single mother who discovers that the nature of friendship is never what it seems. 6:30 p.m. May 3. Signing. $5. Book Exchange, 2932 Canton Road, Marietta, 770-427-4848, bookexchangemarietta.com/
Danielle Hanson, "Ambushing Water." Hanson employs a vocabulary of diverse images — slugs, animals, flowers, constellations and emotions — to acutely observe the world as she makes it new. 7 p.m. May 3. Reading, discussion, signing. Free. A Cappella Books, 208 Haralson Ave. NE, Atlanta, 404-681-5128, acappellabooks.com/events.php
Time Marches Forward: Historical Romance Writer's Panel. Five bestselling writers of historical romance — Lenora Bell, Lorraine Heath, Beverly Jenkins, Cathy Maxwell, Megan Frampton, and Julia Quinn — will talk about the evolution of the genre with Avon Impulse author Charis Michaels. 6 p.m. May 4. Reception, discussion. $10. Margaret Mitchell House, 979 Crescent Ave. NE, Atlanta, 404-814-4150, atlantahistorycenter.com/programs/category/author-programs
Stephen Tobolowsky, "My Adventures With God." From character actor Tobolowsky ("Thelma and Louise," "Groundhog Day") comes a collection of funny, introspective stories about a boy growing up in the wilds of Texas, finding and losing love, and losing and finding himself through the prism of the Torah and Talmud. 7:30 p.m. May 4. Talk, signing. $18. Marcus Jewish Community Center, Zaban Park, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody, 678-812-4000, atlantajcc.org
Ace Atkins, "Little White Lies." In the latest entry to Robert B. Parker's iconic Spenser detective series — which Atkins started writing after Parker's death in 2010 — Spenser and sidekick Hawk follow a grifter's trail of smoke and mirrors. 7:30 p.m. May 5. Signing. Free. Aurora Theatre, 128 E Pike St., Lawrenceville, 678-226-6222, gwinnettpl.org/calendar/ace-atkins-as-robert-b-parker-book-talk-and-signing/
Anna Schachner, "You and I and Someone Else." The daughter of a traveling carnival worker finds in motherhood the perfect chance to encourage her dying father to live and to rectify her unhappy childhood. North Carolina native Schachner lives in Atlanta and edits the Chattahoochee Review. 2 p.m. May 6. Reading, signing. Free. FoxTale Book Shoppe, 105 E. Main St., Woodstock, 770-516-9989, foxtalebookshoppe.com/events/
Daniel Cowan, "Somewhere Called Now." The debut sci-fi novel and original soundtrack from three-time Grammy nominee Cowan tell the story of four college students who uncover a plot by an international terrorist organization to go back in time and take over the world. 12 p.m. May 6. Reading, live music, signing. Free. Posman Books, 675 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta, 470-355-9041, posmanbooks.com/organizer/posman-books-at-atlanta-3/
