Our things literary.
Book No Further will celebrate Small Business Saturday (November 25) with a local author signing from 10 AM to 4 PM. An annual event the Saturday following Thanksgiving, Shop Small Saturday was begun by American Express in 2010. Momentum has built, and by last year, the national effort brought out an estimated 112 million shoppers.… Continue reading ★ Local authors, local impact: Shop Small Saturday (Nov. 25) at Book No Further
Roanoke-based biographer and independent curator Heath Hardage Lee focuses her biographies and exhibitions on hidden stories of women whom history has overlooked or forgotten. The subject of her first book, Winnie Davis: Daughter of a Lost Cause (Potomac Books, 2014), was Varina Anne "Winnie" Davis, the daughter of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. It's easy to see… Continue reading ★ A remembrance for Veterans’ Day: Biographer Heath Hardage Lee on The League of Wives
The Roanoke Public Library will host a reading by Newberry Medal-winning author Matt de la Peña to celebrate the renovation and expansion of the Williamson Road Branch Library. The New York Times bestselling author has published children's picture books and novels for young adults. In addition to the reading at the Williamson Road Branch (Wednesday,… Continue reading ★ Newberry Medal winner Matt de la Peña on understanding ourselves and others through books
Last night's Finding Roanoke conversation (on chapter four of Dar Williams' What I Found in a Thousand Towns) probed Roanoke's transformations over decades, asking questions such as: How do we thoughtfully and inclusively continue the successful revitalization efforts begun decades ago with Center in the Square? Who historically has gotten pushed aside in the wake of… Continue reading ★ FIVE ON better understanding the experience of race in Roanoke
Taking a road trip? Queue up recent episodes of some of these popular literary podcasts for interviews, readings, and discussions of work from your favorite authors. Bookworm ★ He’s one of the best readers in the country, and in a half-hour format, Michael Silverblatt goes deep with authors, often enlightening them on their own work. The show,… Continue reading ★ Our favorite literary podcasts
How do we talk with each other about important issues? Katherine Devine pulled this book group together after a conversation with Delegate Sam Rasoul. Now, we're happy to announce that the group has grown and enjoys the support of a great partner: Roanoke County Public Library. New Connections: Let's Talk is an ongoing discussion series. We… Continue reading ★ New Connections Book Club: Let’s Talk
Roanoke County has welcomed a new Director of Library Services. Shari Henry relocated for the position from Northern Virginia, where she was most recently division chief of materials management for the Arlington Public Library. She’s active in the Virginia Library Association and currently chairs the Intellectual Freedom Committee. She graciously filled us in on some… Continue reading ★ New Roanoke County library chief Shari Henry on the marketplace of ideas
On a recent Sunday afternoon a group of seven people gathered at Sweet Donkey to discuss Johnathan Haidt’s The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion (Pantheon, 2012). Roanoke artist Katherine Devine put the call out for anyone interested in discussing the book after a conversation with Delegate Sam Rasoul. “He said […]
People often say that they would read if they only had the time. Not so for a local book group whose name reflects this particular challenge. These ladies are busy, but they commit to reading just the same. The "Too Much on My Plate Book Club” has been meeting for 15 years. The original members… Continue reading ★ Too much on their plates? It doesn’t stop these readers
With the joy and risk that come with engaging diverse perspectives, public book groups spark important community conversations while enriching the reading experience. Certainly that was the case for the dozen or so people gathered at the Salem Public Library recently for a well organized review of The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat by Edward Kelsey… Continue reading ★ The risk and reward of the public book discussion: On the Salem Library Book Group
BOOK CITY ★ Roanoke 