Chapter 16
A Community of Tennessee Writers, Readers & Passersby

Fryin’ Up an Identity

Mary Liza Hartong’s debut queer romance novel captures West Tennessee living

In her debut romance novel, Love and Hot Chicken, Mary Liza Hartong presents Southern love and queer romance at its finest. Hartong will discuss the book at Parnassus Books in Nashville on February 20.

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Good Troubler

Raymond Arsenault offers the first comprehensive biography of civil rights icon John Lewis

John Lewis: In Search of the Beloved Community, by historian Raymond Arsenault, captures the storied life of Rep. John Lewis from his childhood in Alabama through the Nashville sit-ins, the Freedom Rides, Bloody Sunday, and his long political career.

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Recipes for Survival

Chantha Nguon’s Slow Noodles turns dark history into hope

Chantha Nguon’s Slow Noodles: A Cambodian Memoir of Love, Loss, and Family Recipes is a story of survival that explores what’s necessary for a person — and a country — to endure unimaginable adversity. Chantha Nguon and Kim Green will appear in Nashville at Julia Martin Gallery on February 20 and The Bookshop on February 21.

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Good Fortune

It was a weirdly specific message to get from a cookie

FROM THE CHAPTER 16 ARCHIVE: Divorce is an ugly business — at least it was for me. I felt as though everything in my life was broken: my home, my family, even my sanity. I didn’t know it then, but far from being over, my life was about to get interesting.

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Looking Back on 50 Years of Tennessee Books

50 Books / HT50, Part 6: 2000-2005

The books in this installment of the 50 Books / HT50 series are a varied lot — two novels, one nonfiction book, and two poetry collections, including a Pulitzer Prize winner. All the authors have strong ties to the South, however, and two are Tennessee natives.

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Deception, War, … Murder?

Gerry Wilson’s debut novel explores the insidious nature of generational lies

Gerry Wilson delivers a vibrant debut novel, That Pinson Girl, on the impact of generational trauma, lies, and secrecy. Wilson will discuss the book at Novel in Memphis on February 20.

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