In his collection of essays, Ephemeral by Nature, naturalist Stephen Lyn Bales is deeply philosophical about our burdened planet. He makes a convincing case for joy and curiosity despite—or perhaps because of—the transience of all living things.
With Unbroken Circle: Stories of Cultural Diversity in the South, editors Julia Watts and Larry Smith set out to collect essays and stories that reflect a more nuanced picture of Southern experience. Watts, along with several of the anthology’s contributing writers, will discuss Unbroken Circle at the East Tennessee History Center in Knoxville November 12 at 2 p.m.
Detective Joe “Preach” Everson never expected to return to his sleepy hometown, but it’s the perfect place to recuperate. Then the first murder victim is discovered. Layton Green will discuss Written in Blood at Union Ave. Books in Knoxville on November 12 at 2 p.m.
In her guide to creativity, Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert’s positivity is infectious not just because she’s funny, irreverent, and frank about her foibles, but because steely discipline and determination have been the mainstays of her creative life. The 2017 Nashville Public Library Literary Award honoree, Gilbert will give a free public lecture at Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville on November 11 at 10 a.m.
Alan Gratz’s new middle-grade novel, Ban This Book, is a powerful primer on the dangers of censorship and a heartwarming tribute to libraries and intellectual freedom, all in a fun-to-read package.
“Here’s the score,” writes Nashville author Jamie Blaine in his new memoir, Mercy Never Sleeps. “My social circle consists of junkies and schizophrenics, inmates, suicidal housewives, cops and ER docs, and convenience store clerks on graveyard shift. Am I lost? Or found?”
