Literary Friday, Edition 113

Interview, Chat & Giveaway With Patti Callahan Henry

An exploration of denial, white lies and secrets, Alabama author Patti Callahan Henry’s new book The Stories We Tell features a Savannah family that appears to be the image of happiness. When husband Cooper gets into a car accident with wife Eve’s sister, Willa, Eve must face some hard truths to figure out whose story to believe. “Stories are an integral part of our lives and how we understand the world,” says Henry in our interview with her this week. You can also find a playlist for the book, including The Civil Wars, Johnny Cash and Lucinda Williams, there. 

We’ll ask Patti to reveal more of her storytelling secrets, fascination with memories and her own journey while writing this book during out Twitter chat with her today from 1-2 CST (2-3 EST) using the hashtag #southernlit. Or, just sign into our chatroom here for an easy way to participate. We also have a giveaway for The Stories We Tell going on through Monday. Comment on Henry’s interview for the chance to win!

Literary News 

We review The Mockingbird Next Door, Chicago journalist Marja Mills’ book about forging a friendship with Alice and Harper Lee and getting the elusive author to open up about writing, her friendship with Truman Capote and life in a small town.

The Mockingbird Next Door also made Garden & Gun’s Summer Reading List, along with The Stories We Tell and several of our other favorites.

Visit Georgia’s oldest bookstore tucked away in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.

Toast Hemingway during his birthday week with the recipe for the Papa Doble, his legendary take on the daiquiri.

Cormac McCarthy also celebrates a birthday this week, and Flavorwire ranks his greatest books.

(Non)Required Viewing

Filmed in New Orleans, “Hateship Loveship,” based on the short story by Alice Munro and starring Kristen Wiig and Guy Pearce, is On Demand now.

Literary Events 

Birmingham Public Library’s monthly Bards and Brews will take place August 1 at Avondale Library with open mic poetry and beer from Avondale Brewery. 

The library also hosts artist Debra Riffe’s “Every Line Tells a Story” exhibit of linoleum block relief prints during Birmingham Art Crawl August 7. The exhibit will be up through August 26. 

The Decatur Book Festival is scheduled for August 29-31 in Decatur, Georgia, with keynote speaker Joyce Carol Oates. See the full schedule, including Ron Rash, Emily Giffin and Pat Conroy, here.

Save the Date for the Eat Drink Read Write Festival in Birmingham October 3-10, featuring the area’s best food and beverage offerings served up with a literary twist and including our own Editor Erin Z. Bass. 

The 26th Annual Southern Festival of Books is scheduled for October 10-12 in Nashville, Tennessee. This year’s theme is “A Celebration of the Written Word,” and the extensive list of authors confirmed is out now.

The Texas Book Festival in Austin will take place October 25-26 with authors Martin Amis, Ziggy Marley and Hector Tobar.

New in Southern Voice 

Unpleasantries, a story about a woman who gets even using a pair of day of the week underwear by Erin Pounders.

To find out more about your favorite Southern authors’ haunts and hangouts, download the Deep South Literary Trail App, available direct from iTunes and for Android and perfect for those summer road trips.