Our things literary.
Karen E. Bender explores the power people assume and the last refuges of the powerless in her story collection, The New Order, out today from Counterpoint Press. Separated by fear, the characters in the 11 tight stories feel a lot like us. They scurry for safety in a world in which cars are "big enough… Continue reading ★ Stories of the Day: Karen E. Bender explores THE NEW ORDER
Robert Anthony Siegel effectively recounts the close distance at which we live our lives in his memoir Criminals: My Family's Life on Both Sides of the Law (Counterpoint, 2018). With episodes spanning from youth to recent adulthood, the family dynamics captured may seem extreme on the surface, but they also portray the type of awakenings we… Continue reading ★ CRIMINALS’ Robert Anthony Siegel on structure and compassion in memoir
Everyday assumptions are challenged and opinions are expressed in the editorial page of the Roanoke Times. This week we'll take a look at it: what is its purpose and how does it accomplish it? Our Newspaper: Your Voice will be a casual conversation with The Roanoke Times' Dwayne Yancey, editor of the editorial page. The event… Continue reading ★ Tuesday, 10/30: Editorial Page Q & A with the Roanoke Times’ Dwayne Yancey
Last night's sold-out On the Beat panel discussion at Roanoke's Jefferson Center covered opioid abuse, the effect of economic transitions on rural America, and the role of journalists in telling specific stories that help us make sense of broader issues. The Virginia Humanities event was sponsored by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the Pulitzer Prizes… Continue reading ★ Getting the story and acting on it: Responding to On the Beat
Tim Thornton, the 2018 Writer by Bus, will read tonight (Tuesday, 10/23) from his Writer by Bus chapbook at the Raleigh Court Branch Library's Write Night. An open mic will be held after the reading. View Tim's work on the project's Facebook page. The library is at 2112 Grandin Road, S.W. Applications are being accepted until Dec.… Continue reading ★ Writer by Bus reading tonight at Write Night
Join prominent journalists for a discussion on their work and the role of print media in the fostering an informed citizenry. On the Beat: Local Journalism, Truth, and Democracy. is presented by Virginia Humanities, the Virginia Center for the Book, and With Good Reason Radio, with support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and in partnership with The… Continue reading ★ On the Beat: MACY, HESSE, and EYRE to appear Tues. Oct. 23
Hear Sunil Yapa, author of Your Heart is a Muscle the Size of a Fist, at the following free events this week. Reading - Thursday, 10/4 at 8:15 in the Visual Arts Center, Hollins University Q & A - Friday, 10/5 at 11:00 in the Wyndham Robertson Library, Hollins University Talk - "Radical Empathy" -… Continue reading ★ Free Roanoke Valley Reads Events tonight and Friday
To mark the 2018 Roanoke Valley Read selection, Your Heart is a Muscle the Size of a Fist, BOOK CITY ★ Roanoke will be giving away 5 copies signed by the author to local readers. There are three ways to win: Sign up using the form below. Sign up for Book City Roanoke updates at Book No… Continue reading ★Win a signed copy of YOUR HEART IS A MUSCLE THE SIZE OF A FIST
Here's the scoop on October's Roanoke Valley Reads events. Asterisked events include the author. Get a preview: Hear Sunil Yapa with Roanoke's Brad Stephens on Big Ideas for Better Places podcast. THURSDAY, OCT 4 Thursday, October 4, 8:15 PM - Sunil Yapa Reading* at Hollins University, Francis J. Neiderer Auditorim, Richard Weatherill Visual Arts Center. Enjoy the long tradition of literature… Continue reading ★ Understanding, Empathy, and Action: October’s Roanoke Valley Reads Events
This FIVE ON edition focuses on the theme of welcoming. The books are sure to inspire new connections and an appreciation for the many volunteers and organizations who make a habit of extending themselves. Marking Roanoke Welcoming Week (Sept. 14-23), the list was compiled by Roanoke Public Libraries Director Sheila Umberger and Stephanie Holladay, executive director of Blue… Continue reading ★ FIVE ON Welcoming: New homes and the paths to them (Adult titles)
BOOK CITY ★ Roanoke 