The AJC Decatur Book Festival may be 13 years old now, but unlike some difficult teens we’d rather not name, it aims to please.
And please and please and please. With some 430 authors spread across two days and 17 different stages, there's a lot to take in. Here are some highlights of Saturday's schedule (see decaturbookfestival.com for a complete listing of author appearances).
"Homey Don't Play That! The Story of 'In Living Color' and the Black Comedy Revolution." David Peisner turns exclusive interviews into a compelling tale of the groundbreaking hit TV show that influenced and reflected pop culture. 10 a.m., Decatur Library.
“Quackery: A Brief History of the Worst Ways to Cure Everything.” From Tobacco Smoke Enemas to Goat Testicle Implants, Dr. Lydia Kang’s book lives up (down?) to its title. 11:15 a.m., Marriott Conference Center B.
“Pieces of Her.” Best-selling Atlanta novelist Karin Slaughter’s latest is about a woman who finds everything she thought she knew about her mother shattered by an act of violence. 1:45 p.m., Decatur Presbyterian Sanctuary.
“An American Odyssey: The Life and Work of Romare Bearden.” Biographer and current Spelman College President Mary Schmidt Campbell on the life and work of the celebrated muralist and collage artist. 1:45 p.m., Marriott Conference Center B.
"Varina." Charles Frazier, author of the Civil War-era classic "Cold Mountain," is back with this novel about Jefferson Davis' second wife. 3 p.m., First Baptist Decatur Sanctuary.
"A Very Stable Genius." Learn what makes the AJC's own genius, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist Mike Luckovich, tick. His new book covers the political career of President Donald Trump. 3 p.m., Marriott Conference Center A.
"What Falls Away: When Communities Experience Collective Loss." Writers Rebecca Makkai and Hannah Pittard explore collective grief in their novels about real-life events affecting, respectively, Chicago and Atlanta. 4:15 p.m., First Baptist Decatur Carreker Hall.
“The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin.” Documentary screening, followed by Q&A with “Tales of the City” author Maupin. 7 p.m., Decatur Public Library.
The following authors will appear at the AJC tent to sign books: Kenny Leon, 10 a.m.; Mike Luckovich, noon; Karin Slaughter, 3:30 p.m.
EVENT PREVIEW
AJC Decatur Book Festival
Author presentations begin at 10 a.m. Saturday (street festival 10 a.m.-6 p.m.). Various venues, downtown Decatur. See DBF Festival Map for parking locations, take MARTA to the Decatur station or use the free bike valet on North McDonough Street, in front of the DeKalb County Courthouse. decaturbookfestival.com.
