Chapter 16

The Provenance is Part of the Story

Today we’re celebrating Parnassus Books as the store celebrates its fifth anniversary

By Serenity Gerbman | November 16, 2016

In 2011, Karen Hayes and Ann Patchett opened Parnassus Books, which celebrates its fifth anniversary today. During that time, the Nashville store has doubled its space, bought a bookmobile, and brought authors, hundreds of them, to town. And they’re just getting started. Drop by the store today for special anniversary discounts, giveaways, prizes—and birthday cake.

Things Change, and Often for the Better

Bestselling author Debbie Macomber talks with Chapter 16 about A Girl’s Guide to Moving On

By Serenity Gerbman | February 23, 2016

February 23, 2016 In A Girl’s Guide to Moving On, bestselling author Debbie Macomber continues to explore the experiences of women whose lives take an unexpected turn. Macomber recently answered questions via email in advance of her appearance at the Nashville Public Library on February 24, 2016, at 6:15 p.m.

No Strangers

A new spiritual practice for novelist River Jordan leads to a surprising memoir

By Serenity Gerbman | July 30, 2014

July 30, 2014 When she faced the prospect of sending both of her sons into war zones—one to Iraq, the other to Afghanistan—River Jordan conceived of a unique way to calm her fears: every night she would say a prayer for someone she didn’t know. Along the way, her project became an Internet phenomenon. Jordan will appear at the Southern Festival of Books in Nashville October 10-12, 2014. All festival events are free and open to the public.

Brad Thor, Nashvillian

A bestselling author of thrillers makes the move to Music City

By Serenity Gerbman | June 2, 2014

June 2, 2014 Brad Thor routinely hits the top of the bestseller lists with immensely popular spy novels featuring counterterrorism agent Scott Horvath. The tech-savvy writer stays connected to his fans via social media, so it’s no surprise that he recently chose to make a big announcement via Twitter: he is moving to Nashville from Chicago, citing high crime and taxes as his primary reasons for leaving Illinois.

A Prize-Winning "Start"

Elizabeth Spencer’s new story collection, Starting Over has won the Rea Award

By Serenity Gerbman | April 22, 2014

April 22, 2014 We won’t condescend to Elizabeth Spencer by counting her age (which is ninety-two) as the most extraordinary element of her recent productivity. Any working writer of any age would live for years like the one Spencer is having, which includes a prestigious award and a critically acclaimed new collection of stories, slyly titled Starting Over.

Here to Tell the Story

John Jeremiah Sullivan reports an early story of the blues

By Serenity Gerbman | April 21, 2014

April 21, 2014 While the book world is consumed with questions about its future, it seems important to take a step back now and again and remind ourselves that what really matters, more than anything, is that there are people in this world with stories to tell, and that we are here to pay attention. There are arguably few writers in the last decade who have done more to adhere to this code than John Jeremiah Sullivan.

Tias and Primas: On Knowing and Loving the Women Who Raise Us

By Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez, illustrated by Josie Del Castillo
Seal Press
304 pages
$30

“Within these pages, I found my abuela, my tías and my primas — laughing, crying, and nodding alongside me. This book is a gift of understanding, and loving one’s family, even when our families are complicated and painful. It’s a beautiful reminder of the power of storytelling and the profound connection of kinship.”

~ Paola Mendoza, author, organizer and filmmaker