Johanna Luthman, "Love, Madness, & Scandal: The Life of Frances Coke Villiers, Viscountess Purbeck." Luthman's biography of an aristocratic social rebel in 17th century England has it all: love, sex, forced marriage, elopement, kidnapping, jail-break, high-speed chases, and royal fury. 7:15 p.m. Aug. 7. Talk, signing. Free. Decatur Library Auditorium, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur, 404-370-3070, Ext. 2285, georgiacenterforthebook.org
Dan Zak, "Almighty: Courage, Resistance, and Existential Peril in the Nuclear Age." Zak, a reporter at The Washington Post, uses the story of the Y-12 protest (in 2012, three peace activists infiltrated a nuclear facility in Oak Ridge, TN)to explore America's national identity as a people whose culture is saturated with things nuclear. 7 p.m. Aug. 8. Lecture, signing. Free. Carter Presidential Library & Museum, 441 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta, 404-865-7100, jimmycarterlibrary.gov/events
Michele Moore, "The Cigar Factory: A Novel of Charleston." Moore's extensive historical research and interviews with her own family members add a layer of authenticity to her story of black and white families and friendships at a cigar factory between 1917 and 1946. 1 p.m. Aug. 9. Talk, discussion. Free. RSVP required. Second Floor Meeting Room, Atlanta-Fulton Central Library, 1 Margaret Mitchell Square, Atlanta, 404-730-1700, afpls.org/central-hq
Tayari Jones, "Atlanta Noir." Authors Jennifer Harlow, Sheri Joseph, Alesia Parker, and Gillian Royes will each read a selection from the long-awaited Atlanta version of this groundbreaking series. 7:30 p.m. Aug. 10. Reading, talk, signing. Suggested donation $5. Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, 404-524-0304, charisbooksandmore.com/event/atlanta-noir-book-party
Open Poetry Reading. The first 10 poets to sign up in advance by contacting ruth.windham@gmail.com may read for up to five minutes. 7:30 p.m. Aug. 10. Readings. $5. Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, 980 Briarcliff Road NE, Atlanta, 404-872-5338 ext. 228, callanwolde.org
Angela J. Davis, "Policing the Black Man: Arrest, Prosecution and Imprisonment." Law professor Davis presents an analysis of the key issues of the Black Lives Matter movement in this anthology, featuring essays by some of our most influential and respected criminal justice experts and legal scholars. 8 p.m. Aug. 10. Talk, signing. $10. Atlanta History Center, 130 West Paces Ferry Road NW, Atlanta, 404-814-4150, atlantahistorycenter.com/programs/category/author-programs. Also appearing: 7 p.m. Aug. 11. Discussion, signing. Free. Auburn Avenue Research Library, 101 Auburn Ave. NE, Atlanta, 404-730-4001, ext. 100, afpls.org/events-aarl
Ciara Knight, "Love in the Rockies." In the second novel in Knight's McKinnie Mail Order Brides series, a woman who survived General Sherman's march through Atlanta travels to Colorado to find a husband. 2 p.m. Aug. 12. Book launch. Free. FoxTale Book Shoppe, 105 E. Main St., Woodstock, 770-516-9989, foxtalebookshoppe.com/events
