Mary J. Messer, author of the Appalachian memoir Moonshiner’s Daughter, will read from her book and answers questions from the audience from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec 10 at the Penland & Sons Department Store in Marshall.

Messer’s memoir, set in Haywood County as well as northern Virginia and New York City, tells of her life as the middle daughter of an abusive moonshiner and his mentally ill wife, the incredible hardship her mother and the four children suffered at her alcoholic father’s hands, as well as the trauma the children suffered from the cruelty of other youth and adults as they struggled to grow up.

The event is free, and copies of her book will be available for purchase and author signing.

828.649.2811 or www.moonshinersdaughter.com.