Chapter 16
A Community of Tennessee Writers, Readers & Passersby

A New Disequilibrium

Former Nashvillian David Arnold returns to Music City to launch his third YA novel

David Arnold’s depiction of teen life is heavily seasoned with dialogue in which teens have their say—in authentic, funny voices—about the absurdities of the now. Arnold will discuss The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik at Parnassus Books in Nashville on May 22 at 6:30 p.m. He will appear in conversation with novelists Courtney J. Stevens and Jeff Zentner.

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Her Father’s Words

Tara Westover’s memoir is an excruciating account of her escape from fundamentalism

Tara Westover’s Educated joins the ranks of fearless modern-day memoirs of abuse and adversity such as Cheryl Strayed’s Wild and Jeannette Walls’s The Glass Castle. Westover will appear at Lipscomb University in Nashville on May 21 at 6:30 p.m.

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How Much Damage Did I Do?

In Warlight, Michael Ondaatje delivers a literary mystery and a meditation on the power of memory

“In 1945 our parents went away and left us in the care of two men who may have been criminals.” Thus begins Michael Ondaatje’s newest novel, an engrossing literary mystery with echoes that hearken back to The English Patient. Ondaatje will discuss Warlight at Parnassus Books in Nashville on May 19.

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Learning the Value of a Dollar

Dollar General CEO Cal Turner Jr. traces the humble beginnings of a multi-billion-dollar company

In My Father’s Business, Cal Turner Jr. shares his family’s incredible success story and the leadership lessons he’s learned along the way. Turner will appear in conversation with Dave Ramsey on May 18 at Lipscomb University in Nashville.

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Idler’s Manifesto

Alan Lightman makes the case for slow living with In Praise of Wasting Time

With In Praise of Wasting Time, Memphis native Alan Lightman delivers an eloquent argument for the necessity of idleness.

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The Power of Belief

Teens confront the issue of sexual abuse in Ashley Herring Blake’s latest YA novel

In her new YA novel, Girl Made of Stars, Ashley Herring Blake addresses complex cultural issues in the context of the everyday drama of high school. Blake will appear at Parnassus Books in Nashville on May 18 in conversation with novelist Lily Anderson.

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