Bart Ehrman to read at Blue Ridge Books
Author Bart D. Ehrman will read from his latest book, God’s Problem: How the Bible Fails to Answer Our Most…
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A Southern siren among Manhatten’s literati
In A Ticket to the Circus: A Memoir (978-1-4000-6794-7, $26), Norris Church Mailer gives an account of her marriage to…
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Thomas Rain Crowe to Read from New Poetry Collection
Tuckasegee poet Thomas Rain Crowe will be at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 8,…
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Sentimental story is also very memorable
The Memory of Running is a “road book.” In some respects it resembles what critics in the 19th century called…
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Poet captures WNC culture in new book
Jackson County resident Thomas Crowe will read from and sign copies of his new collection of poems, Crack Light, at…
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Author discusses adventure on the Appalachian Trail
Jennifer Pharr Davis will discuss her book, Becoming Odyssa: Epic Adventures on the Appalachian Trail, at 6 p.m. on Saturday,…
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Biography recounts the life of a quiet hero
In “Twelfth Night,” Shakespeare wrote: “Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have…
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Library launches website
The Friends of the Macon County Public Library (FOL) have unveiled a new informational web site, MaconLibraryFriends.org. The site showcases…
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Teens invited to voice their views
The teen friends of the library meeting will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 24, at Marianna Black…
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Book discussion looks at our influence on the planet
Ahead of Western Carolina University’s upcoming literary festival, the Macon County Public Library will host a book discussion on Alan…
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Stephen King collection gets the thumbs-up
At the conclusion of this collection of four novellas: Full Dark, No Stars, Stephen King adds an “Afterword.” In acknowledging…
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Mystery author gives reading
Author Leanna Sain will give a reading at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville from 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 26.…
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Poems, nonfiction readings at City Lights in Sylva
City Lights Bookstore in Sylva will feature local authors of poetry and nonfiction in the coming week. Coffee with the…
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Hiking the Pacific Coast Trail with Skywalker
Some The Smoky Mountain News readers may remember a review here several seasons ago of Bill Walker’s Skywalker: Close Encounters…
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Library offers books for sale
Western Carolina University’s Hunter Library will have hundreds of books, DVDs, CDs and other media on sale from 9 a.m.…
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Love, devotion and a restless journey
The great kite of the crucified Christ loomed and caused the crowd to vibrate. Like a pyre before him, the…
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Spiritual connections explored by local author
Jody Kraner (aka JadriAnna Lee), author of Northern Lights: A Journey to Insight, will appear for a reading and discussion…
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Battling weight problems and ensuing baggage
Though heroin and cocaine are dangerous and illegal, both drugs carry with them a cachet, the dark romance of, say,…
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Read Across America
As part of the celebration of Read Across America, Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville is hosting two events that emphasize…
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Wayne Caldwell wins Wolfe award
The WNC Historical Association and the Thomas Wolfe Memorial will host Western North Carolina author Wayne Caldwell from 2-4 p.m.…
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Book group to begin
Gary Carden has announced the first meeting of a book discussion group which will begin with a meeting at 5…
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Vampire saga lacks traditional horror appeal
For quite some time now, the literary genre known as “science fiction/horror” has been undergoing radical changes. The “creatures of…
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WCU to host literacy conference
Educators from throughout the region are invited to attend a one-day conference focusing on literacy hosted by Western Carolina University’s…
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A novel that sparkles with quality writing
In Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand (ISBN 978-1-4000-6893-7, 2010, $25), first-time novelist Helen Simonson has created a superb portrait of life…
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Ron Rash returns to City Lights with new paperback edition
City Lights welcomes Ron Rash back to the store at 2 p.m. on Feb. 13 to celebrate the release in…
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New book looks at remarkable work of therapy dogs
Author Deanna Klingel of Sapphire Valley will be at City Lights Bookstore at 2 p.m. on Feb. 12 to discuss…
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Area storytellers featured in new book
In view of the fact that Southern Appalachia is acknowledged to be a massive reservoir of traditional storytelling, Saundra Kelley’s…
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Author recounts unique parenting journey
Some novels call to mind certain family members. There are the wise old stories that remind us of our grandparents,…
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Rash commemorates paperback release
Local author Ron Rash will hold a reading at City Lights in Sylva to celebrate the paperback release of his…
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WCU professor co-authors book about rising sea levels
A book co-authored by Western Carolina University professor Rob Young about the global threat to coastal communities posed by rising…
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Cancer survivor to talk at Jackson Library
In May 2008, Jane SpottedBird was diagnosed with stage IV cancer. Her doctor gave her 6 to 12 months to…
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A grisly war novel that stands apart
“It took Karl Marlantes 30 years to write his thunderous, brutally granular account of scorched-earth combat in Vietnam. Matterhorn was…
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WCU professor co-authors book about rising sea levels
A book co-authored by Western Carolina University professor Rob Young about the global threat to coastal communities posed by rising…
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Haywood author to read from new novel ‘Sweetie’
Kathryn Magendie, an author from Haywood County, will be at City Lights book store in Sylva to read from her…
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Revisiting one of the last raids of the Civil War
Anyone who has driven state roads between Asheville and Winston-Salem has quite possibly seen those state historical markers commemorating the…
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Program focuses on African-Americans and their history in Jackson County
Victoria Casey McDonald, a local writer and historian, will present a program about African-Americans in Jackson County at the Jackson…
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This is quality Southern writing
How many times have you heard the lament, “They don’t write southern novels the way they used to”? This statement…
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A cautionary tale of the dangers of excess
“The rich are different from you and me,” F. Scott Fitzgerald once famously said to Ernest Hemingway, to which Hemingway…
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Group to discuss ‘Time and Again’ at public library
The next Book Ends book discussion group will be held at the Jackson County Public Library on Thursday, Jan.13. The…
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In new novel, outlook is grim without technology
Let me begin this review by confessing that I never heard of E.M.P. (Electromagnetic Pulse), and I was distressed to…
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Elderly Brothers ring in New Year’s at Legion
The Elderly Brothers will perform on New Year’s Eve at American Legion Post 47 in Waynesville. The Elderly Brothers have…
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Gary Carden to present Old Christmas Traditions program at library
Storyteller and author Gary Carden will present a program titled “Old Christmas Traditions” at 7 p.m. on Jan. 4 at…
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Pride of the Mountains is California-bound
Nearly 400 members of Western Carolina University’s Pride of the Mountains Marching Band will travel to Pasadena, Calif., to march…
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Waynesville Inn to play host to second-annual Winterfest
Haywood County residents looking to brave the ice and leave their firesides this January can find an afternoon of respite…
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Leavitt creates emotional story, realistic characters
In her previous novels — two of which, Coming Back To Me and Girls In Trouble, have been reviewed here…
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Swain library to hold meeting for teenagers
The teen friends of the library meeting will be held at the Marianna Black Library at 3:30 on Thursday, Dec.…
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A dark story about death, love and loss
Dear readers, if you decide to purchase this amazing novel, please consider the following advice: forget George Romero and the…
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A bunch of possibilities for your book lover
To buy affordable holiday gifts for men past the age of 30 can be difficult. When confronted with men who…
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Bookstore program to help children in need
City Lights Bookstore has started the 12th year of its annual Holiday Giving Tree, a program designed to put books…
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Donation to Jackson County library makes a perfect gift
Library lovers and history buffs from all over have a singular opportunity this year to combine giving Christmas presents to…
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