Topic: literature

Bookfest welcomes Lit lovers, ‘foodies’

October 5, 2008 |

Free event features hundreds of award-winning authors including Wroblewski, Alexie, Bragg and Maraniss

NASHVILLE – The Southern Festival of Books is just two weeks away and organizers are gearing up to welcome more than 20,000 patrons and an all-star lineup of authors, cooks and musicians this October 10-12, on Nashville’s War Memorial Plaza.

From beloved authors and first-timers, to former U.S. Congressmen and Pulitzer Prize winners, the 20-year old festival features more than 200 authors from around the nation and in every genre for interactive presentations, readings, panel discussions and book signings.

You can even hear from David Wroblewski, the author of the Oprah’s Book Club pick, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, from Noon-1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 12 at War Memorial Auditorium (no advance reservations required, first come – first served seating). A free book signing follows the reading. «Read the rest of this article»

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Harry Potter tops hit list of those seeking to ban books

By Christine Anne Piesyk | September 25, 2008 |

In celebration of Banned Books Week, Clarksville Online will offer our readers articles, and Best Books lists — yes, lists — of the best in literature for both adults and children.  Have you read a banned Book? We hope so!

Apart from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter phenomenon, the most challenged books of the 21st century (2000-2005) include a number of books taught as classic and “relevant” books in terms of content and history.

In celebrating Banned Books Week (September 23-30, 2006), the American Library Association (ALA) compiled the top 10 most challenged books from 2000-2005, with the Harry Potter series of books leading the pack. The 10 most challenged books of the 21st Century (2000-2005) are:

1. Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
2. “The Chocolate War” by Robert Cormier
3. Alice series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
4. “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck
5. “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou
6. “Fallen Angels” by Walter Dean Myers
7. “It’s Perfectly Normal” by Robie Harris
8. Scary Stories series by Alvin Schwartz
9. Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey
10. “Forever” by Judy Blume

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Children’s book on male penguins raising chick remains on list of most challenged books

September 23, 2008 |

In celebration of Banned Books Week, Clarksville Online will offer our readers articles, and Best Books lists — yes, lists — of the best in literature for both adults and children.  Have you read a banned Book? We hope so!

Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell’s award-winning “And Tango Makes Three,” a children’s book about two male penguins caring for an orphaned egg, topped the list of American Library Association’s (ALA) 10 Most Challenged Books of 2007. A year ago. This year’s tally of challenges has three more months to go.

Three books are new to the list “Olive’s Ocean,” by Kevin Henkes; “The Golden Compass,” by Philip Pullman; and “TTYL,” by Lauren Myracle.“Free access to information is a core American value that should be protected,” said Judith F. Krug, director of the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom. “Not every book is right for each reader, but an individual’s interpretation of a book should not take away my right to select reading materials for my family or myself.” «Read the rest of this article»

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YALSA: Best of the year’s books for young adults

September 22, 2008 |

In celebration of Banned Books Week, Clarksville Online will offer our readers articles, and Best Books lists — yes, lists — of the best in literature for both adults and children.  Have you read a banned Book? We hope so!

The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), the fastest-growing division of the American Library Association (ALA), has announced its 2008 list of Best Books for Young Adults. The list of 85 books, drawn from 216 official nominations, is presented annually at the ALA Midwinter Meeting. The books, recommended for those ages 12-18, meet the criteria of both good quality literature and appealing reading for teens.

The list comprises a wide range of genres and styles, including contemporary realistic fiction that reflects the diversity of the teen experience, nonfiction that brings to teens an awareness of the world they live in and its history, and fantastical stories told in both narrative and graphic formats.

In addition, the Best Books for Young Adults Committee created a Top Ten list of titles from the final list that exemplify the quality and range of literature being published for teens. (Starred items denote Top Ten selections.)

“This year’s list demonstrates the variety of outstanding choices to entice and enrich teen readers. There is something here to appeal to every reader, and also to attract teens who don’t regularly read to the pleasures of a good book.” ~~ Holly Koelling, committee chair.

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Louise Erdrich to speak at Austin Peay

By Debbie Boen | September 9, 2008 |

Renowned author Louise Erdrich will read from her works at the APSU Mass Communications Center on Wednesday, September 10, at 8 p.m.  The event is free with book signing and reception to follow.

Louise Erdrich is one of the most gifted, prolific, and challenging of contemporary Native American novelists.  Erdrich is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa.  Born in 1954 in Little Falls, Minnesota, she grew up mostly in Wahpeton, North Dakota, where her parents taught at Bureau of Indian Affairs schools. Her fiction reflects aspects of her mixed heritage: German through her father, and French and Ojibwa through her mother. She worked at various jobs, such as hoeing sugar beets, farm work, waitressing, short order cooking, lifeguarding, and construction work, before becoming a writer. She attended the Johns Hopkins creative writing program and received fellowships at the McDowell Colony and the Yaddo Colony.In her book, Tracks, the author puts us into the mind of several of the characters, living each of their parts in the adventure story from their viewpoint.

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Barry Kitterman reads debut novel, “The Baker’s Boy”

By Turner McCullough Jr. | September 7, 2008 |

APSU creative writing professor shares insights and reflections on his debut novel. Personal input and experience part of the writing experience for local author.

As the City of Clarksville raced to complete preparations for its annual music showcase, Riverfest, Austin Peay State University Creative Writing Professor Barry Kitterman gave a reading and discussion of his debut novel, The Baker’s Boy, with an enthusiastic gathering in the APSU Mass Communication/Music Center.

An admiring and warm introduction by fellow APSU English Department colleague David Till, professor emeritus, preceded Kitterman’s address. A tall man, bearded, with a confident voice and demeanor,  Kitterman guided his audience through his presentation with a comfortable and engaging style. «Read the rest of this article»

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Writer’s Conference: John Seigenthaler Sr. offers “A Word on Words”

By Turner McCullough Jr. | July 26, 2008 |

Famed writer, editor, publisher and 1st Amendment advocate encourages audience, “Everyone has at least one story to tell!”

The Clarksville Country Club Dining Room was the host site for this year’s Writers Conference Buffet Dinner, which featured John Seigenthal Sr. as their keynote speaker.

In listing his many life achievements, one must acknowledge his 43 years as an award-winning journalist of Nashville’s The Tennessean being editor, publisher and CEO; his tenure as president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors; serving as the founding editorial director of USA Today; and being an administrative assistant to Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and chief negotiator with the governor of Alabama during the Freedom Rides. In 1991, he founded the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University, whose mission is creating national discussion, dialogue and debate about First Amendment rights and values. Seigenthaler is also the author of the 2004 biography of American President James K. Polk. He currently hosts a weekly book-review program, “A Word on Words” on Nashville public television station WNPT. «Read the rest of this article»

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‘The Way Home’ is storytelling set in Clarksville

By Debbie Boen | July 21, 2008 |

Traveling from California to be at the Clarksville Writer’s Conference and share her book The Way Home was Bernis Terhune. Bernis claims Clarksville, Tennessee, as the hometown of her heart and most, if not all, of her stories are based in Clarksville with sites like Greenwood cemetery and Tarpley’s mentioned. She talks about the ice man and his donkey in one story.

Patricia Winn describes Bernis as a born storyteller with stories that are hilarious, sensitive, imaginative, packed with unexpected situations, vivid description, and colororful eccentric characters. She says Bernis uses accurate diction of the day and experiences tell the story of a time that is fading quickly.

Bernis now lives in San Jose, CA, and worked many years as an educator helping children with special needs. She is a founding member of a playwright’s theatre in San Francisco.

With permission to reprint from the author here is an exerpt from The Way Home by Bernis Calvin Terhune: «Read the rest of this article»

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