This week’s literary events

Brad Watson, “Miss Jane.” 6 p.m. Aug 2. Signing. Free. A Cappella Books, 208 Haralson Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-681-5128, acappellabooks.com/pages/events. In a novel inspired by his own great-aunt, Watson explores the life of a woman born in rural, turn-of-thecentury Mississippi with a genital birth defect that prevents her from playing the traditional role of a woman in that time — wife and mother. Emily Giffin,“First Comes Love.” 7 p.m. Aug. 2. Reading, signing. Free. FoxTale Book Shoppe, 105 E. Main St., Woodstock. 770-516-9989, foxtalebookshoppe.com/ events. Giffin (“Something Borrowed”) returns with a novel about two sisters forced to come to terms with a family tragedy. Rolonda Watts, “Destiny Lingers.” 7 p.m. Aug. 2. Signing. Free. Barnes & Noble Buckhead, 2900 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-261-7747, stores.barnesandnoble.com/event. This romance novel by Watts, host of the podcast “Rolonda on Demand,” involves an investigative reporter who has yet to uncover the truth of her own life. Jesmyn Ward, “The Fire This Time: A New Generation Speaks About Race” with Carol Anderson, Jericho Brown and Kevin Young. 7 p.m. Aug. 3. Discussion, readings, signing. Free. Carter Presidential Library & Museum Theater, 441 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta. 404-865-7100, jimmycarterlibrary.gov/ events. A collection of essays and poems that takes James Baldwin’s 1963 examination of race in America,“The Fire Next Time,” as a jumping off point. Joining Ward (“Salvage the Bones”) will be Atlantabased contributors Anderson, Brown and Young. Amanda Pullen,“Baggage Check.” 1 p.m. Aug. 6. Signing. Free. FoxTale Book Shoppe, 105 E. Main St., Woodstock. 770-5169989, foxtalebookshoppe. com/events. The third installment in the Marriage Pact series, about a group of Atlanta 30-somethings, follows a woman forced to face hard truths about her family and past. Jaguar Cypher Poetry Crew open mic. 4 p.m. Aug. 6. Readings. Free. Barnes & Noble Edgewood, 1217 Caroline St., Atlanta. 404-522-0212, stores. barnesandnoble.com/ event/9780061770443-5. All genres are welcome at this event for high school students.