The Charleston Gazette - Books

Book Notes: Nov. 8, 2009

( ) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:15:00 -0500

Harvard author at UC CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The author of "Spark: The Revolutionary New science of Exercise and the Brain" will speak at the University of Charleston. Dr. John J. Ratey, associate clinical professor of psychia...

Billy Collins does a 180 with poetry

lynch@wvgazette.com (Bill Lynch) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:45:00 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Oddly, becoming poet laureate of the United States is not a democratic process. Poet Billy Collins explained, "There is no election, no committee. There is no run-up. There is no application, no discussion. It is a completely...

Walls new novel will please Glass Castle fans

(James E. Casto) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:45:00 -0500

"Half Broke Horses" By Jeannette Walls Scribner. $26. 272 pages. CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- For two decades, Jeannette Walls hid her roots. When Walls was young, her restless family had lived l...

Taylor Books to celebrate National Bookstore Day

pjnyden@wvgazette.com (Paul J. Nyden) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:12:49 -0500

Taylor Books will celebrate the first National Bookstore Day on Saturday with a special program featuring authors and artists. The store also will offer drink specials and discounts on art works throughout the day. People who get "caught" bu...

Textbook controversy forum to be held Wednesday

(Staff reports) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:25:47 -0500

Another free public forum about the historic 1974 Kanawha County uprising against "godless textbooks" is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday at George Washington High School auditorium. Producer Trey Kay is to present his public radio documentary...

Book Notes: Nov. 1, 2009

( ) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:15:00 -0400

Book reprinted, dramatized CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- "The Last Forest: Tales of the Allegheny Woods" by West Virginia writer G.D. McNeill has been reprinted by the Pocahontas Communications Cooperative. The historical novel ...

Afghanistan less puzzling when you consider its history

pjnyden@wvgazette.com (Paul J. Nyden) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:45:00 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- For centuries, Afghan society has been complex and divided, despite efforts by so many contemporary government officials and news analysts to transform those complexities into a black-and-white battle of good against evil.Widespread po...

Book review: Lee Maynard is at top of his game in latest novel

(Cody Corliss) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 23:45:00 -0400

"The Pale Light of Sunset" by Lee Maynard. Vandalia Press. 328 pages. $23.95. CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- My first reaction to Lee Maynards newest book was bafflement. Maynard pens the life of an Appalachian boy from Southern West ...

W.Va. native finalist for National Book Award

(Staff, wire reports) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:00:55 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia native Jayne Anne Phillips was named one of five novelists nominated for the annual National Book Award on Wednesday. Phillips novel "Lark & Termite" focuses on a teenage girl and her mute brother ...

Gorgeous Wild Things roars onto the big screen

(The Associated Press) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:16:33 -0400

REVIEW
"Where the Wild Things Are" 3 stars RATING: PG (mild thematic elements, some adventure action and brief language) DIRECTOR: Spike Jonze CAST:<...

Book Notes: Oct. 11, 2009

( ) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:15:00 -0400
Book Festival continues CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The West Virginia Book Festival continues Oct. 11 at the Charleston Civic Center. The Kanawha County Librarys used-book sale opens at noon in the centers South Hall. Already reduced prices...

West Virginia Book Festival, Day 1

kennykemp@wvgazette.com (Kenny Kemp) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 23:45:00 -0400
During the West Virginia Book Festival, several people look for a "good read" at the Kanawha County Public Librarys annual used book sale. Expanded to both days of the festival by popular demand, the sale continues Sunday from noon to 4 p.m...

Crum author Lee Maynard conjures an imagined life

douglas@cnpapers.com (Douglas Imbrogno) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:28:44 -0400
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- You might start with a quote by author Meredith Sue Willis for a sense of how Lee Maynards writing can get to people: "Each time I read Lee Maynards Crum I ask myself: Why is this foul-mouthed, sexist, scatological, hillbilly-...

Book festival presenter named top young writer

(Staff reports) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:40:30 -0400
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The National Book Foundation has named a presenter at this weekends West Virginia Book Festival as one of Americas star young fiction writers. Josh Weil is part of the foundations annual West Virginia Book Festival Oct. 10 and 11 at the Charleston Civic Center. ...

Book middleman gets out the word on W.Va. books

sjbusse@gmail.com (Sara Busse) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:45:00 -0400
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Google "West Virginia Book Co." and this description appears on the computer screen: Biography, history, cooking, fiction, lore and humor of West Virginia. A visit to the company warehouse on the West Side of Charlest...

Ex-Huntington student remembers when her books were banned

jikeller@tribune.com (Julia Keller) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 23:45:00 -0400
My childhood was a bloodbath. The blood stayed safely confined within the covers of books, but still: I relished gore. I ate up stories of serial killers and ax murderers and remorseless poisoners. I couldnt get enough of gun-toting hoodlums. Supe...

Help W.Va. children get free books

(Staff reports) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 23:45:00 -0400
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Readers have until Wednesday to vote in the online campaign called What Book Got You Hooked. Visitors to the Web site http://ww...

Kanawha library offering read aloud club

(Staff reports) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 23:45:00 -0400
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Kanawha Public Libraries are offering a family program to promote a lifelong love of reading. Join the Family Read Aloud Club, and receive a game sheet and guidelines. Families will have from Oct. 12 to March 31 to read up to 18 bo...

Wheeling Motel a sleek meditation on life, forgiveness

(Cody Corliss) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 23:45:00 -0400
"Wheeling Motel" by Franz Wright. $26.95. Knopf.Even before he won the Pulitzer Prize, Franz Wright had long been an esteemed poet. The only problem was that Wrights personal demons often overshadowed his art. Much changed ...

Book club members give treasured recipes as wedding gift

julier@wvgazette.com (Julie Robinson) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 23:45:00 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Cyndi Murray and Sandy Merrill are sisters-in-law and pulled the diverse, and mostly unknown-to-each-other group of women together. One woman was an exercise buddy, another was the mother of one...

Honored childrens books to show at festival

(Staff reports) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 23:45:00 -0400
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Moonbeam Childrens Book Awards, honoring the best childrens books of 2009, will display award-winning books and conduct its annual announcement celebration during the West Virginia Book Festival at the Charleston Civic Center on Oc...

In this corner: Is this recession hot, or what.

(McClatchy Newspapers) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 23:45:00 -0400
There are lots of things that arent selling during the recession. But sex isnt one of them.Similar to the Great Depression, when "Gone With the Wind" was the best-selling novel, people are looking for ways to escape their money troubles. Many are...

Flash your library card and save at area businesses

( ) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 23:45:00 -0400
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- More than 30 businesses will offer discounts or other specials during September if shown a Kanawha County Public Library card. The promotion is part of Library Card Signup Month. To get a library card, visit your local library wit...

Book Notes: Aug. 30, 2009

(Staff reports) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 00:15:00 -0400
Library card deal CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- If you hold a Kanawha County Public Library card, you can enjoy perks like 10 percent discounts or buy-one-get-one-free offers at about two dozen area businesses during September. "This is ...

Book underlines meths strong grip on rural America

( ) — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 23:45:00 -0400
"Methland: The Death and Life of an American Small Town" by Nick Reding. Bloomsbury. 250 pages. $25. By Cody Corliss For the Sunday Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- It sometimes seems that the meth epidemic is everywhere. But ev...

Book Notes: Aug. 16, 2009

(Staff reports) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 00:15:00 -0400
Book festival authors CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The ninth annual West Virginia Book Festival will be held Oct. 10 and 11 at the Charleston Civic Center. As in the past, several notable authors and publishing professionals are scheduled to...

Book Notes: Aug. 9, 2009

(Staff reports) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 23:45:00 -0400
Paris for the savvy CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Conrad G. Locus II of Lincoln County will sign copies of his travel guide from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at Taylor Books on Capitol Street. Lucas and William D. Norgard have written "Eu...

FLIPSIDE: Twilight writing and art contest winners chosen

(Staff reports) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:11:49 -0400
In July, FlipSide hosted "Twilight" writing and art contests in conjunction with Charleston Town Center Malls reading promotion featuring the popular book series. Multiple entries were received in both contests, all of which can b...

FLIPSIDE: Imagining a fifth Twilight

(Jennifer Head) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:45:00 -0400
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Stephenie Meyer unquestionably draws the "Twilight" saga to a close with her last installment, "Breaking Dawn," and, therefore, a fifth addition to the collection would be a hopeless attempt ...

Book Notes: Aug. 2, 2009

(Staff reports) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 23:45:00 -0400
Novel on Hawks Nest tragedy Dwight Harshbarger of Morgantown will sign copies of his novel, "Witness at Hawks Nest," from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Taylor Books in Charleston. Published by Publishers Place Inc. in Huntingt...

Novel offers personal look at Hawks Nest disaster

pjnyden@wvgazette.com (Paul J. Nyden) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 23:45:00 -0400
Orville Orr and Delbert "Bullhead" McCloud became close buddies in France, fighting in the U.S. Army against Germans during World War I. A dozen years later, they ended up together again, working as guards and "shack rousters" for Union...

Q&A: Denise Giardina

earle@wvgazette.com (Rosalie Earle) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 23:45:00 -0400
Denise Giardina will talk about and sign copies of her latest novel, "Emilys Ghost: A Novel of the Brontë Sisters," at a 6 p.m. wine reception July 27 at 226 Capitol St. She recently answered questions about "Emilys Ghost" ...

Southerners views shifted while Dixiephobes werent looking

pjnyden@wvgazette.com (Paul J. Nyden) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 16:05:36 -0400
Southerners are so backward and uneducated that Democratic Party leaders should write them off and not waste campaign funds to win their votes.Southerners tend to fixate on single issues like evangelical religion, gay marriage, gun righ...

Paul J. Nyden

( ) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 23:45:00 -0400
FIRST DO NO HARM: Humanitarian Intervention and the Destruction of YugoslaviaBy David N. Gibbs.Vanderbilt University Press, 2009, 346 + xi pages. Paperback, $27.95.CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Humanitarian intervention, used by major world powers ...

David R. Trauffer

( ) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 23:45:00 -0400
JESUS, INTERRUPTED: Revealing the Hidden Contradictions in the Bible (And Why We Dont Know About Them) By Bart D. Ehrman. HarperOne publisher, 304 pages, $25.99 (Hardcover)CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A July 12 commentary "Whose Jesus."...

Karl Lilly

( ) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 23:45:00 -0400
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- "At the outset, some believed he had concocted a stage name, one of those outlandish types that proliferated in Hollywood at the time, but before long, the facts were indisputable - his last name was Love and the first name was in...

Book Notes: July 19, 2009

(Staff reports) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 23:45:00 -0400
Poetry Reading Poet Lori Wilson of Morgantown will read from "House Where a Woman" at 6 p.m. Friday at Taylor Books on Capitol Street, where she will sign copies of her new book from 1 to 3 p.m. The book is published by Autu...

Space books for kids bring wonder 40 years after Eagle landed

(The Associated Press) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 23:45:00 -0400
As 600 million people watched live on television, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed their bug-like Eagle module on the moon, four miles off course with less than 30 seconds of fuel to go. The U.S. had won the space race. Man had walked on the moon....

Twilight actor Facinelli draws big crowd at Charleston mall

veronican@wvgazette.com (Veronica Nett) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 18:42:21 -0400
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- "I couldnt breathe, I was hyperventilating," Kelsey Walker said.Walker, 12, was one of hundreds of fans of the wildly popular "Twilight" movie and book series that attended a meet-and-greet at the Charleston Town Ce...

Book Notes: July 5, 2009

(Staff reports) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 23:45:00 -0400
Library discussion groups CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Here are the book discussion groups that are meeting in July and August at Kanawha County public libraries:
PALS Book Club, for those age 65 and older, meets at 3 p.m. the third Tues...

FLIPSIDE: Twilight bites into Town Center

flipside@wvgazette.com (Amy Robinson) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:21:08 -0400
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Just like the "Harry Potter" series before it, Stephenie Meyers "Twilight" series has achieved something amazing. No, not massive amounts of fans and popularity, though there is that, but it has also got...

Buffalo to kick off campaign for new library

veronican@wvgazette.com (Veronica Nett) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:46:05 -0400
BUFFALO, W.Va. -- The Buffalo Library is falling down. Light fixtures are breaking, and the floor is starting to rot. "Its getting to be kind of an eyesore," said Buffalo Mayor Kenny Tucker. Its time the community got a new libra...

Paul J. Nyden

pjnyden@wvgazette.com (Paul J. Nyden) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 23:45:00 -0400
Reckless. How Debt, Deregulation and Dark Money Nearly Bankrupted AmericaBy Byron L. Dorgan St. Martins Press, xvi + 268 pages. Hardcover, $24.99.CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The lack of federal oversight and regulation played a major role in crea...

Book Notes: June 21, 2009

(Staff reports) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 23:45:00 -0400
Used-book sale CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Kanawha County Public Librarys annual summer used-book sale will be held from noon to 4 p.m. June 28 on its plaza, 123 Capitol St. Shoppers should find bargains on books and audiovisual ...

Historian Herring warns of U.S. imperial overstretch

pjnyden@wvgazette.com (Paul J. Nyden) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:36:37 -0400
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The United States moment as the worlds sole superpower was "stunningly brief," and Americans must now reinvent their country in a changing world, an author and historian said in Charleston on Wednesday. by Fran Cannon Slayton; Penguin Group; $16.99 CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- As a child, Fran Cannon Slayton loved to hear the storie...

Profile/review: Huntington native writes mysteries set in the West

(James E. Casto) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 23:45:00 -0400
"The Dark Horse" by Craig Johnson. Viking. $24.95. 320 pages. HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Craig Johnson grew up in the Norwood Road area just outside Huntington, but the former West Virginian has created...

Review: Razor-sharp novellas set along the W.Va. border

( ) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 23:45:00 -0400
By Cody Corliss For the Sunday Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- In recent years, there has been much talk about the decline of quality American short fiction. Look no further than author Stephen King, who edited the "Best Ameri...

Book Notes: June 14, 2009

(Staff reports) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 23:45:00 -0400
Giardina book in top 33 CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Charleston author Denise Giardinas new book was named in a Chicago Tribune article as one of the "33 hot reads for the summer." "Emilys Ghost: A Novel of the Bronte Sisters,...