Book Reviews

In Rita Sims Quillen’s Wayland, a mysterious stranger invades the lives of a family in Depression-era Appalachia. Quillen will discuss the novel at Union Ave. Books in Knoxville on March 1.

The true story of Bass Reeves, an enslaved Arkansan who became a frontier lawman, is the inspiration for Sidney Thompson’s historical novel Follow the Angels, Follow the Doves. The first volume in a planned trilogy, the book relates Reeves’ early years, before his legendary career as a U.S. marshal. Sidney Thompson will discuss Follow the Angels, Follow the Doves at Novel in Memphis on March 6.

In Susan Beckham Zurenda’s debut novel, Bells for Eli, narrator Delia Green describes her close relationship through the years with her cousin Eli, whose family lives across the street in the small town of Green Branch, South Carolina. Their bond endures in the wake of an accident that changes both their lives forever. Zurenda will discuss Bells for Eli at The Arts Building in Chattanooga on March 2.

In The Splendid and the Vile, bestselling author Erik Larson explains how Winston Churchill inspired the British people to keep fighting through the dark days when Britain stood alone against the Nazis. Larson will appear at the Bijou Theater in Knoxville on February 25.

In Dailiness: Essays on Poetry, Mark Jarman considers canonical and contemporary writers while reflecting on the kinship of prayers and poems.

Staten Island Stories, the debut story collection from Vanderbilt M.F.A. grad Claire Jimenez, depicts the diverse lives of the forgotten borough. Jimenez and poet Cara Dees will discuss their work at Vanderbilt University in Nashville on March 20.