Literary Friday
Announcements
Beehive Coffee & Books, Monroeville, Alabama’s adorable independent book and coffeeshop, is closing its doors. We’re so sorry to hear the news and wish Christie the best. Below are a few photos from our 2010 trip there. Visit the shop’s Facebook page to post condolences and well wishes.
Literary News
With Johnny Depp’s Help, Woody Guthrie Novel to Arrive in 2013 in The New York Times. Finished in 1947, the novel follows a West Texas couple in their efforts to rebuilt adobe homes.
Would Harper Lee think we are wusses? Al.com writer Frances Coleman reminds us that, in Maycomb, people knew how to deal with the heat of summer and wonders why we’ve become so whiny about it now. (Harper Lee is pictured on the right.)
Melanie Mills: The Agent Who Lived the Plot of My Novel in The Huffington Post. A Myrtle Beach literary agent’s story takes on the plot of one of her clients and involves faked death, real estate fraud and murder.
(Non)Required Reading
The Southern Foodways Alliance’s “Cornbread Nation: The Best of Southern Food Writing Vol. 6” book club will be reading and discussing stories from the book for the next few weeks. Join the conversation on their Facebook page.
Lost endings to “The Great Gatsby” from Slate magazine, following the revelation that Hemingway may have produced as many as 47 endings to “A Farewell to Arms.” Click here to read them and find out who has more.
Book Giveaways
We’re still getting books in for our summer giveaway. This week, Mary Kay Andrews’ “Spring Fever,” Matt Bondurant’s “The Wettest County in the World” and the 20th anniversary edition of Dorothy Allison’s “Bastard Out of Carolina” arrived. Who’ll be taking these books home?
- “Spring Fever” is going to Sue Mastrario, who bookmarked our Summer Reading List so she can keep reading all summer.
- Liesl Wiederkehr is getting “The Wettest County in the World” for commenting on our list and tweeting about it.
- Jennifer Riley also gets a copy of “The Wettest County in the World” for commenting on our list and keeping in touch on Twitter.
We’re still looking for a good home for “Bastard Out of Carolina.” Comment on today’s Literary Friday and tell us why this book should go home with you, and you’ll be entered to win!
Wiley Cash’s “A Land More Kind Than Home,” one of our summer reads, is being given away on Goodreads. Enter before July 23.
Literary Events
Featured Event: Heirloom Book Co. in Charleston will be the host of a special dinner July 17, marking the first public domain traveling dinner concept from The FourCoursemen. A James Beard-nominated dining series and a former Cooking Channel television show, The FourCoursemen cook sustainable, five-course dinners in a shotgun house in Athens, Georgia. Creator Damien Schaefer is now taking the concept on the road. Chef Kevin Johnson of The Grocery has been chosen as the first guest chef and will collaborate on a seasonal, multi-course meal at Heirloom. At $100 a person, guests can dine among the book company’s collection of rare, out-of-print books and Southern cookbooks, along with vintage first editions. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Slow Food Charleston, and seats can be reserved by calling 843-722-6377. Don’t live near Charleston? Schaefer plans to visit different cities and towns with his dinner concept, so be on the lookout for a public domain dinner near you.
Karen White will be signing books at 5 p.m. today at Lemuria Books in Jackson, Mississippi, followed by signings in Roswell, Georgia, July 17 and in Atlanta July 18.
In what could be called a triple-threat of a booksigning, Kimberly Brock will sign copies of “The River Witch” at Malaprop’s in Asheville, North Carolina, July 14 at 7 p.m., accompanied by special guests Erika Marks (author of “Little Gale Gumbo”) and Anna Kline & the Grits And Soul Band.
Also on July 14, see Wendy Wax at Barnes & Noble in Alpharetta, Georgia. She’ll be signing books from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
New Orleans’ own running of the bulls and Ernest Hemingway celebration takes place through July 15, with a Hemingway Celebration & Talent Contest at 12 Bar on Fulton Sunday. The bar will be serving a tapas brunch menu and specialty drinks. There’s no fee or cover charge to attend.
This is the last week to see Birmingham Public Library’s exhibit, “Eudora Welty – Exposures and Reflections,” which includes 40 photographs and excerpts from the Mississippi author’s short stories and novels. It’s on display through July 20 on the fourth floor.
Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival is offering a “Summer Ticket Special” of $395, which includes a VIP all-access pass to next year’s event March 20-24. A $500 value, the pass includes access to literary panels, master classes, theater events, musical performances, culinary presentations and private parties. Offer ends August 31.
New in Southern Voice
“The Appropriators,” a story about a friend stealing another friend’s laugh while on a New Orleans swamp tour by Brad Koski.
Don’t miss the Literary Friday Pinterest board here.
kathryn Magendie / July 13, 2012
I have that book but hope it finds a good home soon!
Jennifer Riley / July 13, 2012
Oooh, that is the one book I wanted! “Bondurant” is a name I’m familiar with from my hometown, so thanks, Matt, for writing the book, thanks for the research, the time, the care, the thought. Our local indie newpaper has a story about ‘shiners, so timing is perfect.
Angela Newsom / July 13, 2012
Just finished “The River Witch”. Great summer read! The rest of my summer reading has been “Sea Change”, “Porch Lights” and “Spring Fever”. Now, if I could win “Bastard out of Carolina”—I’d be tickled pink!! Have seen the movie, but never read the book and would love too!