Atomic Books, 3620 Falls Road, (410) 662-4444, atomicbooks.com. Carolyn Turgeon, editor in chief of “Faerie Magazine” discusses the new book, “The Faerie Handbook: An Enchanting Compendium of Literature, Lore, Art, Recipes, and Projects.” Nov. 30, 6 p.m.
Baltimore County Public Library Pikesville Branch, 1301 Reisterstown Road, (410) 887-1234, bcpl.info. Kathleen Waters Sander shares her latest book about the United States’ first railroad, “John W. Garrett And The Baltimore And Ohio Railroad.” Nov. 29, 2:30 p.m. Robert Kanigel, author of “The Man Who Knew Infinity,” among other books, discusses his career. Dec. 6, 2:30 p.m.
Bird In Hand, 11 E. 33rd St. (410) 814-0373, birdinhandcharlesvilage.com. Readings With Ralphie, a reading series organized by noted Baltimore writer Rafael Alvarez with Gerry Shields, author of “The Good of the Order: America’s Last 80 Years Through the Eyes of One Veterans Club.” Dec. 5., 7 p.m.
The Church of the Redeemer, 5603 N. Charles St., prattlibrary.org. Mark Bowden, author of the New York Times bestseller “Black Hawk Down,” discusses his latest, “Huế 1968,” about the centerpiece of the Tet Offensive during the Vietnam War. Nov. 29, 7 p.m.
Johns Hopkins University, Gilman 50 (Bowman Drive), Homewood Campus, 3400 N. Charles St. New Yorker music critic Alex Ross discusses his 20th century music history book, “The Rest Is Noise: Listening To The Twentieth Century.” Dec. 5, 6 p.m.
Maryland State Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped (LBPH), 415 Park Ave. Education writer and reporter John Merrow discusses his book, “Addicted To Reform: A Twelve-Step Program To Rescue Public Education.” Dec. 5, 6:30 p.m.