Chapter 16
A Community of Tennessee Writers, Readers & Passersby

St. Jeter the Kitty Cat, Pray for Us

Sometimes transcendence comes during a marathon of potty breaks and toddler demands

There are certain things in life that are inevitable, which means that over time, the Litany will likely get longer. If the tradition continues for my daughters, well into their adulthood, it’s very possible that I, should they choose to promote me, may make the Litany myself.

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Coal Country Maelstrom

To the Bones sets a satisfying thriller in small-town Appalachia

In To the Bones by Southern author Valerie Nieman, the dystopian horror is a chilling reminder of what can arise from the vast distances between human beings, as well as the vast mysteries within an individual.  

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Broken Lives

Don Winslow’s action-filled collection is layered with emotion

In his new novella collection, Broken, Don Winslow takes a breather from the intensely dark depictions of violence in his Cartel crime trilogy, but he still provides plenty of action to satisfy readers

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A Meditation on Memory

Newbery Medalist Lois Lowry explores human connectedness in On the Horizon

In On the Horizon, her new novel in verse for young readers, Newbery Medalist Lois Lowry reflects on World War II by drawing on her childhood memories of life in Honolulu and Japan.

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Lois Lowry Broadens Her Horizons

After two Newbery Medals and more than 40 books, Lois Lowry writes her first book in verse

In On the Horizon, acclaimed children’s author Lois Lowry explores the history of World War II through the stories of those who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor and the bombing of Hiroshima. Chapter 16 talked with Lowry about writing in verse for the first time, what she thought of the film adaptation of The Giver, what surprises her about children’s literature after decades in the field, and more.

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Dog in the Bottoms

A four-legged role model shows me how to live in the moment

Each time I regain consciousness, I look for Zo’s white tail. Usually, I spot it flicking back and forth — ahead of me, to the left, to the right, sometimes behind. If I don’t see that waving beacon, I call. Soon I hear, then see her racing toward me at full speed, 45 pounds of solid enthusiasm.

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