Author events taking place locally through Thursday

■ Rafael Ocasio, “Folk Stories from the Hills of Puerto Rico.” In this exciting new anthology, Ocasio has gathered together generations of folktales that give readers a window into the imaginations and aspirations of Puerto Rico’s peasants, the Jíbaro. 7:30 p.m. today. Talk on Crowdcast. Free. Charis Books & More. charisbooksandmore.com/

■ Ed Southern, “Fight Songs.” Southern’s wry and witty commentary on college sports in the complicated social landscape of the South explores the connections and contradictions between the teams we root for and the places we plant our roots; between the virtues that sports are supposed to teach and the cutthroat business they’ve become. 7 p.m. Tuesday. In-store discussion. Free. A Cappella Books, 208 Haralson

Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-6815128. acappellabooks.com/ events.php

■ Aurielle Marie, “Gumbo Ya Ya.” Marie’s stunning debut is a cauldron of hearty poems exploring race, gender, desire, and violence in the lives of Black gxrls, soaring against the backdrop of a contemporary South. 7 p.m. Wednesday. Talk on Crowdcast. Free. Charis Books & More. charisbooksandmore.com/

■ Rick Bragg, “The Speckled

Beauty.” In this warmhearted and hilarious story of how his love for a badly behaved, half-blind stray dog transformed his life, Bragg captures the extraordinary, sustaining devotion between two damaged creatures who need each other to heal. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Talk. $29 plus fee includes pre-signed copy of book. First Baptist Church of Decatur, 308 Clairemont Ave., Decatur. A Cappella Books. acappellabooks.com/events.php

■ Chris Wallace, “Countdown bin Laden.” Celebrated journalist and Fox News Sunday anchor Wallace delivers a thrilling new account filled with intrigue, cinematic action, and fresh reporting about the race to apprehend and bring to justice the mastermind of the most consequential terrorist attack in American history. 8 p.m. Thursday. Talk, Q&A on Zoom. $11 or $36 with copy of book. Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta. atlantajcc.org