The difficult thing about having a blog (or any other social media account) and staying away for a while is that when you return there are all kinds of unfamiliar updates, features, etc. Plus, you have to look around and find where you wrote your password down because you have forgotten it. Don't we have too many numbers, passwords, etc. to remember?
The summer book season is upon us. The spring season for Georgia authors was tremendous!
Anyone care to comment about the complete upending of the book industry during the past six months as a result of ebooks finally finding some real traction, Borders' woes, and the recent bidding war for B&N?
The fishing season is here. I'm looking forward to reading John Geirach's new title, 'No Shortage of Good Days', on the subject.
It's summer in Georgia, so water will be on everyone's minds here, too.
Tomorrow is June 2, speaking of fishing. You all know what that means.
Planning on spending this book and water-filled summer with two budding bibliophiles and merpeople. And with trucks.
First field-trip of the summer: the library. And by request, too. That makes me a lucky dad. The first fishing trip (this past Memorial Day) was a bit too hot, and yielded only a handful of small bream. But, again, the fish aren't always the main reason for going fishing, anyway.
Star Wars and Fart Powder are the topics at the moment. And a rural Georgia farm boy named George Washington Perry.
RMR
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Saturday, November 27, 2010
2010 Was a Busy Year For Georgia Authors
Georgia authors were all over the place in 2010. From children's books to regional interest titles to New York Times bestsellers, Georgia authors had a prolific year.
Now that the holidays and the gift giving season is here, you can show your appreciation to Georgia's writers (and to your favorite bookseller) by giving the best present of all--books.
The list below is just a sample of what Georgia authors produced in 2010 (or close enough to 2010 to count). I apologize up front for any titles that I left out that deserve to be listed. Please feel free to add them in the comments below.
I'm listing them in no particular order.
Since Christmas is just around the corner, I'll start with The 12 Days of Christmas in Georgia, which is illustrated by Georgia artist Elizabeth Delumba.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Published in 2009, the book became a national bestseller in 2010.
Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin. Another national bestseller. One of Ms. Giffin's earlier works is headed to the big screen soon.
The Fixer Upper by Mary Kay Andrews.
A Soft Place to Land by Susan Rebecca White. A personal favorite. Ms. White comes from a writing family. She is married to business author Alan Deutschman (Walk the Walk), and is the sister of New York Times bestselling young adult author, Lauren Myracle.
Back Seat Saints by New York Times bestselling author Joshilyn Jackson.
International slice and dice murder mystery sensation, Karin Slaughter knocked'em dead (again) with Broken.
Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and Emory University faculty chair (and former University of Georgia cheerleader) Natasha Tretheway released Beyond Katrina: A Meditation on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
The Mile High Club by William Rawlings, Jr.
Fireworks Over Toccoa by Jeffrey Stepakoff.
Truckers by Mary Richardson. Another personal favorite (and actually published in late 2009). This is an artsy (in a folklore kind of way) photographic essay about the people who drive big rigs. Great interviews, and a really interesting look at a bit of Americana and business.
The Food, Folklore and Culture of Low Country Cooking by Joseph Dabney. This book is a small masterpiece. From a James Beard Award winner, this book has it all--history, recipes, and interviews with the likes of Pat Conroy and Nathalie Dupree. Also check out Joe's book on Appalachian cooking and culture.
Vince Dooley's Garden: The Horticultural Journey of a Football Coach by college football legend (and certified master gardener) Vince Dooley. Illustrated by Steve Penley, this book spans the globe.
The Triangle of Truth by syndicated columnist Lisa Earle McLeod.
Superbug by Maryn McKenna. From the author of Beating Back the Devil. If you have an interest in public health, the medical profession, science, or terrifying scenarios and the technology to fight them, this book is for you.
The South and America Since World War II from acclaimed historian James C. Cobb.
Intelligence: The Secret World of Spies--An Anthology by UGA Professor (and one of the nation's top intelligence experts) Loch Johnson.
A House of Branches by Janisse Ray. A new collection of poems by the author of Ecology of a Cracker Childhood.
Zero, Zilch, Nada by Wendy Ulmer, and illustrated by Georgia artist Laura Knorr.
Illustrator Mark Braught has two new books out this year. Baby, I'm Watching Over You is perfect for a military family with young children. And Ellen Craft's Escape From Slavery would make a nice edition to a school library. Tremendous artwork.
Remembering George Washington Perry by former Augusta newspaperman Bill Baab. I still don't know why this book hasn't made it to the New York Times bestseller list. I guess they don't fish.
The Council of Dads by Bruce Feiler. Mr. Feiler is a native Savannahian, and several times national bestselling author (Walking the Bible). He recounts his experience of learning that he might have a fatal case of cancer. He gathers up the men who will fill his shoes for his two young daughters, should he not make it. Read it.
Within Our Reach: Ending the Mental Health Crisis by former First Lady Rosalyn Carter. Put simply, this lady is an angel and a national treasure.
Bartram's Living Legacy: The Travels and the Nature of the South by Dorinda Dallmeyer.
The Flower Seeker: An Epic Poem of William Bartram by Phillip Lee Williams. The South gets its Odyssey. Phil's Civil War novel, The Campfire Boys, is the best thing since Frazier's Cold Mountain.
My Reading Life by Pat Conroy. A book for the book person on your list.
Then there are the perennial favorites. Terry Kay. James Dickey. Roy Blount. Coleman Barks. Rosemary Daniell. Augusta Trobaugh. Hollis Gillespie. Melissa Fay Greene. Ferrol Sams. And don't forget Carson McCullers, Margaret Mitchell, Flannery O'Conner, Anthony Grooms, Driving Miss Daisy, Andersonville, A Man in Full, and Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
So, there you go, some shopping ideas. For more details, go visit your favorite bookseller. They need your support. Also, try visiting the website for the New Georgia Encyclopedia (author section) to really amaze yourself. The Georgia Center for the Book and the Margaret Mitchell House will be fun places this holiday, too. Again, sorry for titles and authors not mentioned. Please feel free to add them.
All the best, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, New Year & Hanukkah
RMR
Now that the holidays and the gift giving season is here, you can show your appreciation to Georgia's writers (and to your favorite bookseller) by giving the best present of all--books.
The list below is just a sample of what Georgia authors produced in 2010 (or close enough to 2010 to count). I apologize up front for any titles that I left out that deserve to be listed. Please feel free to add them in the comments below.
I'm listing them in no particular order.
Since Christmas is just around the corner, I'll start with The 12 Days of Christmas in Georgia, which is illustrated by Georgia artist Elizabeth Delumba.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Published in 2009, the book became a national bestseller in 2010.
Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin. Another national bestseller. One of Ms. Giffin's earlier works is headed to the big screen soon.
The Fixer Upper by Mary Kay Andrews.
A Soft Place to Land by Susan Rebecca White. A personal favorite. Ms. White comes from a writing family. She is married to business author Alan Deutschman (Walk the Walk), and is the sister of New York Times bestselling young adult author, Lauren Myracle.
Back Seat Saints by New York Times bestselling author Joshilyn Jackson.
International slice and dice murder mystery sensation, Karin Slaughter knocked'em dead (again) with Broken.
Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and Emory University faculty chair (and former University of Georgia cheerleader) Natasha Tretheway released Beyond Katrina: A Meditation on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
The Mile High Club by William Rawlings, Jr.
Fireworks Over Toccoa by Jeffrey Stepakoff.
Truckers by Mary Richardson. Another personal favorite (and actually published in late 2009). This is an artsy (in a folklore kind of way) photographic essay about the people who drive big rigs. Great interviews, and a really interesting look at a bit of Americana and business.
The Food, Folklore and Culture of Low Country Cooking by Joseph Dabney. This book is a small masterpiece. From a James Beard Award winner, this book has it all--history, recipes, and interviews with the likes of Pat Conroy and Nathalie Dupree. Also check out Joe's book on Appalachian cooking and culture.
Vince Dooley's Garden: The Horticultural Journey of a Football Coach by college football legend (and certified master gardener) Vince Dooley. Illustrated by Steve Penley, this book spans the globe.
The Triangle of Truth by syndicated columnist Lisa Earle McLeod.
Superbug by Maryn McKenna. From the author of Beating Back the Devil. If you have an interest in public health, the medical profession, science, or terrifying scenarios and the technology to fight them, this book is for you.
The South and America Since World War II from acclaimed historian James C. Cobb.
Intelligence: The Secret World of Spies--An Anthology by UGA Professor (and one of the nation's top intelligence experts) Loch Johnson.
A House of Branches by Janisse Ray. A new collection of poems by the author of Ecology of a Cracker Childhood.
Zero, Zilch, Nada by Wendy Ulmer, and illustrated by Georgia artist Laura Knorr.
Illustrator Mark Braught has two new books out this year. Baby, I'm Watching Over You is perfect for a military family with young children. And Ellen Craft's Escape From Slavery would make a nice edition to a school library. Tremendous artwork.
Remembering George Washington Perry by former Augusta newspaperman Bill Baab. I still don't know why this book hasn't made it to the New York Times bestseller list. I guess they don't fish.
The Council of Dads by Bruce Feiler. Mr. Feiler is a native Savannahian, and several times national bestselling author (Walking the Bible). He recounts his experience of learning that he might have a fatal case of cancer. He gathers up the men who will fill his shoes for his two young daughters, should he not make it. Read it.
Within Our Reach: Ending the Mental Health Crisis by former First Lady Rosalyn Carter. Put simply, this lady is an angel and a national treasure.
Bartram's Living Legacy: The Travels and the Nature of the South by Dorinda Dallmeyer.
The Flower Seeker: An Epic Poem of William Bartram by Phillip Lee Williams. The South gets its Odyssey. Phil's Civil War novel, The Campfire Boys, is the best thing since Frazier's Cold Mountain.
My Reading Life by Pat Conroy. A book for the book person on your list.
Then there are the perennial favorites. Terry Kay. James Dickey. Roy Blount. Coleman Barks. Rosemary Daniell. Augusta Trobaugh. Hollis Gillespie. Melissa Fay Greene. Ferrol Sams. And don't forget Carson McCullers, Margaret Mitchell, Flannery O'Conner, Anthony Grooms, Driving Miss Daisy, Andersonville, A Man in Full, and Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
So, there you go, some shopping ideas. For more details, go visit your favorite bookseller. They need your support. Also, try visiting the website for the New Georgia Encyclopedia (author section) to really amaze yourself. The Georgia Center for the Book and the Margaret Mitchell House will be fun places this holiday, too. Again, sorry for titles and authors not mentioned. Please feel free to add them.
All the best, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, New Year & Hanukkah
RMR
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Veteran's Day 2010--Georgia Authors Remember our Veterans, Serving Military Personnel, and Their Families
Happy Veteran's Day!
Some months back, a Facebook friend forwarded an article to me that he had seen in the news and that pertained to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The title of the article asked, "Is America Still Fighting the War on Terror?"
My friend forwarded the article with the following comment. He said, "No. America is not fighting the war on terror. The United States Marines are. America is at the mall."
I confess that I pretty much agree with that sentiment.
Today is Veteran's Day. All else set aside, today is the day to acknowledge the sacrifice of America's former and current members of the military.....and the sacrifices of their families.
Two recent titles by Georgia authors do just that.
Dear Baby, I'm Watching Over You (just released in October) is a children's book for ages 2-8 years old. The book was written by Carol Casey, and is illustrated by the talented Georgia artist, Mark Braught. The target audience of this picture book is the young children of military personnel serving away from home.
Think about it for a moment. Or all day today.
One of Braught's illustrations has a Navy seaman looking out to sea from the deck of his ship. He's looking out over the ocean at a star filled night.
"I'm sure you wonder why I'm away for a birthday, game, or holiday."
Here are the dedications from the book:
To U.S. service men, women, and veterans, and to your families. Thank you for your patriotism and sacrifices, and for watching over all of our children. ---Carol Casey
For those that believe in, patriotically serve and sacrifice for our way of life so we may enjoy the same. Thank you. --Mark Braught
The next title is from former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, and just hit the bookshelves this fall. The book is Within Our Reach: Ending the Mental Health Crisis, and is co-written with Susan Golant and Kathryn Cade.
Mrs. Carter is an acknowledged powerhouse when it comes to mental health advocacy. Of the many topics that she discusses in her new book, she takes special pains to address the mental health needs of America's veterans and their families, and how woefully short we fall as a nation in meeting those needs. She devotes a considerable amount of the discussion to the issue of PTSD. The numbers are terrible.
Mrs. Carter sums up her message, We support our troops in the field, but it is critical that we continue to support them when they come home.
There is an interesting parallel to be drawn here. Like terrorism, mental illness is a heartless, indiscriminate, destructive force. And Mrs. Carter is the equivalent of an Army Ranger.
Remember your veterans today, and their families.
Postscript: To Specialist Castro. If you see this, here's wishing you and your comrades a safe and speedy return home to your families. We look forward to your return, as your father will be moving to the minors next season and our daughter is in need of a quality softball coach.
RMR
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
The Prince of Tides, the Mother of All Fish, and Erk's Eagles
October is here and, finally, tolerable weather has returned to north Georgia. October is also prime book month in Georgia (fall and spring being the best book seasons, in general). Below are several noteworthy events, of many (Billy Collins was just at Georgia Tech):
Pat Conroy and Cassandra King
On Wednesday, October 6, authors Pat Conroy and Cassandra King will be giving a reading at the Clarkston Campus of Georgia Perimeter College at 7:15 p.m. The event is taking place at the Cole Fine Arts Building, located at 555 North Indian Creek Road. For more information, call the GPC Writer's Institute at 678.891.3275.
Pat Conroy (native Georgian) is the phenomenolly popular author of novels such as The Prince of Tides, The Great Santinni, and The Lords of Discipline. His most recent novel, South of Broad, came out last year. He is also the author of several autobiographical works, including his forthcoming book about his life in books.
Cassandra King is the author of multiple bestsellers, including The Sunday Wife.
Go Fish Center to Open in Perry, Georgia
On Thursday, October 7, the State of Georgia will be dedicating the new Georgia Go Fish Center, which will be next to the Georgia State Fairgrounds in Perry. The Center will open to the public on the following day. The Center will be devoted to all things fishing in Georgia, and is part of Governor Perdue's Go Fish Georgia initiative. A lot of people grumbled about the money to build the Center and fund the initiative, especially in these tight fiscal times. Heaven forbid that we do something to encourage people in Georgia (where one in five adults, and one in four children, are considered obese) to get outside. As an economic driver, one of the recent Go Fish-connected fishing tournaments brought $23.2 million to the Lake Lanier area and Gwinnett County.
One of the dignitaries who will be on hand at the Go Fish Center dedication will be Bill Babb, Georgia author, former Augusta newspaperman, and the world's leading authority on George Washington Perry.
I am certain that all of you are aware that George Washington Perry was the young Georgia farmboy who, in the summer of 1932, took a day off from field work to go fishing with a friend. He caught a largemouth bass that, turns out, was (and still is) the world record holder in terms of weight. That's how an international, multi-billion dollar industry got started. Not to mention the great stories, etc. And Perry went on to become a self-made man, and local legend.
Bill Babb's book, Remembering George Washington Perry, came out last year. You'll be able to pick up a copy at the Center.
2010 Georgia Literary Festival
Presented each year by the Georgia Center for the Book, this year's Georgia Literary Festival will be held on October 3rd on the campus of Geogia Southern University (WOOOOO! GO EAGLES!!) in Statesboro, Georgia.
Among the 25 authors scheduled to speak and autograph books will be Ferrol Sams, Max Cleland, Natasha Tretheway, Phillip Lee Williams, Tina Ansa, Damon Lee Fowler, Walter Reeves, and David Bottoms. And it's all free.
For more information about this year's Georgia Literary Festival, contact the Georgia Center for the Book at 404.370.8450 x 2225.
RMR
Pat Conroy and Cassandra King
On Wednesday, October 6, authors Pat Conroy and Cassandra King will be giving a reading at the Clarkston Campus of Georgia Perimeter College at 7:15 p.m. The event is taking place at the Cole Fine Arts Building, located at 555 North Indian Creek Road. For more information, call the GPC Writer's Institute at 678.891.3275.
Pat Conroy (native Georgian) is the phenomenolly popular author of novels such as The Prince of Tides, The Great Santinni, and The Lords of Discipline. His most recent novel, South of Broad, came out last year. He is also the author of several autobiographical works, including his forthcoming book about his life in books.
Cassandra King is the author of multiple bestsellers, including The Sunday Wife.
Go Fish Center to Open in Perry, Georgia
On Thursday, October 7, the State of Georgia will be dedicating the new Georgia Go Fish Center, which will be next to the Georgia State Fairgrounds in Perry. The Center will open to the public on the following day. The Center will be devoted to all things fishing in Georgia, and is part of Governor Perdue's Go Fish Georgia initiative. A lot of people grumbled about the money to build the Center and fund the initiative, especially in these tight fiscal times. Heaven forbid that we do something to encourage people in Georgia (where one in five adults, and one in four children, are considered obese) to get outside. As an economic driver, one of the recent Go Fish-connected fishing tournaments brought $23.2 million to the Lake Lanier area and Gwinnett County.
One of the dignitaries who will be on hand at the Go Fish Center dedication will be Bill Babb, Georgia author, former Augusta newspaperman, and the world's leading authority on George Washington Perry.
I am certain that all of you are aware that George Washington Perry was the young Georgia farmboy who, in the summer of 1932, took a day off from field work to go fishing with a friend. He caught a largemouth bass that, turns out, was (and still is) the world record holder in terms of weight. That's how an international, multi-billion dollar industry got started. Not to mention the great stories, etc. And Perry went on to become a self-made man, and local legend.
Bill Babb's book, Remembering George Washington Perry, came out last year. You'll be able to pick up a copy at the Center.
2010 Georgia Literary Festival
Presented each year by the Georgia Center for the Book, this year's Georgia Literary Festival will be held on October 3rd on the campus of Geogia Southern University (WOOOOO! GO EAGLES!!) in Statesboro, Georgia.
Among the 25 authors scheduled to speak and autograph books will be Ferrol Sams, Max Cleland, Natasha Tretheway, Phillip Lee Williams, Tina Ansa, Damon Lee Fowler, Walter Reeves, and David Bottoms. And it's all free.
For more information about this year's Georgia Literary Festival, contact the Georgia Center for the Book at 404.370.8450 x 2225.
RMR
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Illustrator Laura Knorr at the Suwanee Festival of Books
Zero, Zilch, Nada--Counting to None by Wendy Ulmer (and illustrated by Laura Knorr) tells the story of Harry, a senior accountant in the Congressional Budget Office who decides to leave public service to become a financial planner for a giant corporate mortgage lending firm, and the hilarious mayhem that results.
Not really.
Actually, Zero, Zilch, Nada is the latest title from Sleeping Bear Press to be illustrated by award-winning Georgia artist Laura Knorr. The book just hit the shelves earlier this summer.
The story involves one Harry, a rabbit who just loves, loves, loves balloons. Harry gets a new job in a balloon factory, and things get a little out of control. In the meantime, the intended audience for the book (ages K-2ND Grades) are learning about sets and counting by multiples of ten, five, two, etc.
It's a fun book for little aspiring math whizzes, and the artwork is terrific. But, don't take my word for it. For this book review, I called in an expert. I asked my seven-year-old daughter to read it and offer her thoughts. She insisted upon rewriting the whole story (critics!), but then did finally submit a few written answers to questions from her old man:
GBAW: Why did you like this book?
RS: It was so silly. Because he was supposed to blow up 100 balloons, but instead he popped 100 balloons.
GBAW: Who was your favorite character?
RS: Everyone (besides Harry, there are bears, beavers, raccoons, chipmunks, moose and other assorted factory workers and members of management).
GBAW: What was your favorite part of the story?
RS: Boo Hoo! None left!
GBAW: Any closing comments about the book?
RS: It is educational (egecasional) by helping your child counting back from 100 to 0. It is a great (graet) book. Buy (bye) it from Laura Knorr.
GBAW: Good. Finally, can you say why a baby brother or baby sister might like it?
RS: I think they would laugh about it too. In fact they would laugh so hard their heads would blow off.
GBAW: There you go.
Laura Knorr will be appearing at the Suwanee Festival of Books on August 28-29. For more information about the festival, visit the website at http://www.suwaneefestivalofbooks.com/.
For a complete list of books illustrated by Laura Knorr, and to view more of her wonderful artwork, visit her website at http://www.lauraknorr.com/.
RMR.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Suwanee Festival of Books
Georgia gets a new book festival this year when the Inaugural Suwanee Festival of Books is held at Suwanee Town Center on August 28 and 29 (in Suwanee, Georgia, of course). If you just can't wait one more week for the Labor Day Decatur Book Festival, or you'd simply like to get warmed up for that event, the Suwanee event is well worth looking into.
Nearly one hundred authors will be on hand at the Suwanee festival, including many local, regional, and national favorites.
Among the presenting authors at the Suwanee Festival will be:
Terry Kay. Award-winning, Georgia Writer Hall of Famer, and local favorite, Kay will be giving a keynote presentation. Among his best known titles are To Dance With the White Dog, and his most recent title, The Book of Marie.
Phillip Lee Williams. Another Georgia Hall of Famer. Williams is a recipient of the Micheal Schaara Civil War Fiction Award. His upcoming epic poem, The Flower Seeker (about the life of William Bartram) ought to cause a stir in literary, history and natural history circles.
Joseph Dabney. James Beard cookbook winner Dabney will be on hand with his new book, The Food, Folklore and Art of Lowcountry Cooking. Pat Conroy, Nathalee Dupree, Savannah, Charleston, food.
Helen Ellis. Young adult, I love Harry Potter and vampires readers, here is your chance to meet the next big thing. Ellis' new book, The Turning: What Curiosity Kills, is already getting notice by fantasy loving teens (girls), and cat people, in the Big Apple and beyond.
Lisa Earl McLeod. Author, Gwinnett Daily Post writer, and syndicated columnist, McLeod will be there dishing out advice and good humor on all subjects from love to work to clean underwear.
S.A. Harazin. This Gwinnett author was nominated last year for an Edgar for her first young adult novel, Blood Brothers.
Donny Bailey Seagraves. The Athens area author will be there with her new coming of age in the South novel, Gone From These Woods.
Laura Knorr. This award-winning children's book illustrator will be there with her new book, Zero, Zilch, Nada, Counting to None.
Mark Braught. Award-winning illustrator (Harry Potter) Braught's new book, Ellen Craft's Escape From Slavery, will just be hitting the bookstores in time for the Festival.
Melinda Long. Suwanee is happy to welcome this New York Time's bestselling author of the children's book, How I Became a Pirate.
Jackie Cooper. Another Georgia favorite. Former Georgia Public Broadcasting book reviewer and author of The Bookbinder.
Other authors appearing include, Diane Shore, Patti Callahan Henry, Patricia Sprinkle and Rob Cleveland.
Plus, it's Suwanee Town Center, so there will be lots to do anyway (restaurants, shops, the park, and Farmer's Market).
For more information, check out the Suwanee Festival of Books at www.suwaneefestivalofbooks.com.
RMR.
Nearly one hundred authors will be on hand at the Suwanee festival, including many local, regional, and national favorites.
Among the presenting authors at the Suwanee Festival will be:
Terry Kay. Award-winning, Georgia Writer Hall of Famer, and local favorite, Kay will be giving a keynote presentation. Among his best known titles are To Dance With the White Dog, and his most recent title, The Book of Marie.
Phillip Lee Williams. Another Georgia Hall of Famer. Williams is a recipient of the Micheal Schaara Civil War Fiction Award. His upcoming epic poem, The Flower Seeker (about the life of William Bartram) ought to cause a stir in literary, history and natural history circles.
Joseph Dabney. James Beard cookbook winner Dabney will be on hand with his new book, The Food, Folklore and Art of Lowcountry Cooking. Pat Conroy, Nathalee Dupree, Savannah, Charleston, food.
Helen Ellis. Young adult, I love Harry Potter and vampires readers, here is your chance to meet the next big thing. Ellis' new book, The Turning: What Curiosity Kills, is already getting notice by fantasy loving teens (girls), and cat people, in the Big Apple and beyond.
Lisa Earl McLeod. Author, Gwinnett Daily Post writer, and syndicated columnist, McLeod will be there dishing out advice and good humor on all subjects from love to work to clean underwear.
S.A. Harazin. This Gwinnett author was nominated last year for an Edgar for her first young adult novel, Blood Brothers.
Donny Bailey Seagraves. The Athens area author will be there with her new coming of age in the South novel, Gone From These Woods.
Laura Knorr. This award-winning children's book illustrator will be there with her new book, Zero, Zilch, Nada, Counting to None.
Mark Braught. Award-winning illustrator (Harry Potter) Braught's new book, Ellen Craft's Escape From Slavery, will just be hitting the bookstores in time for the Festival.
Melinda Long. Suwanee is happy to welcome this New York Time's bestselling author of the children's book, How I Became a Pirate.
Jackie Cooper. Another Georgia favorite. Former Georgia Public Broadcasting book reviewer and author of The Bookbinder.
Other authors appearing include, Diane Shore, Patti Callahan Henry, Patricia Sprinkle and Rob Cleveland.
Plus, it's Suwanee Town Center, so there will be lots to do anyway (restaurants, shops, the park, and Farmer's Market).
For more information, check out the Suwanee Festival of Books at www.suwaneefestivalofbooks.com.
RMR.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Interview with Georgia Author and Certified Master Gardener Vince Dooley
I would like to thank Vince Dooley for taking time last week to speak with me about his new book, Vince Dooley's Garden--The Horticultural Journey of A Football Coach, with paintings by renowned artist Steve Penley. The book also includes a foreword by Michael Dirr and an afterward by Allan Armitage, both University of Georgia horticulturalists.
The horticultural journey of a football coach? I understand what an interesting subject that is to a lot of people. In fact, it might be the first time that such a book has been published. I don't know. SEC football legend discusses how he fell for hydrangeas! Of course that's likely to generate some interest, if only for the novelty of it.
The Atlanta Journal Constitution recently published a piece on Mr. Dooley's new book, covering it from the football angle. That article may be viewed at the link below:
Most people (in Georgia especially) likely associate Mr. Dooley with college football. And for good reason.
But Vince Dooley is also an avid "book person" (he has written some ten books and is widely read). He is a historian, a student of art, and is a world traveller. He has taken advantage of a career associated with universities to explore a multitude of subjects that interest him. And his interests seem to know no bounds.
"I find that there is great joy to learning and I have an inquisitive nature." states Dooley.
He also has a great love of gardening, although he has "only" been at it for about twelve to fourteen years, and considers himself a "relatively new" gardener.
I asked Mr. Dooley how long the new gardening book had been in the works; where did the idea for the book come from?
"A few years ago I was having dinner with (artist) Steve Penley," states Dooley. Apparently, the subject for a possible new book was one of the topics of conversation. Mr. Dooley laughs when he recalls that one of the possible ideas was for a combination football and gardening book.
"I decided upon a "journey" approach. Not too many coaches are gardeners."
Dooley continued, commenting on his now frequent appearances giving talks to gardening organizations, "I think that there is a uniqueness in a football coach giving talks. It's kind of like, "What am I doing here?""
I asked Mr. Dooley if he could tell me just how many varieties of plants he has in his garden in Athens (Georgia). He simply laughed and said that, "I'll have to count sometime." His Favorite varieties include Japanese Maples, camellias, hydrangeas (one is named for him), herbaceous plants, and dahlias.
Mr. Dooley is a world traveler, and devotes a considerable amount of attention in his new book to gardens and plant varieties throughout the U.S. and the world. He recommends a book, 1001 Gardens You Ought to See Before you Die. By his own count, he still has some 301 of those gardens to go. One of those gardens that he strongly recommends here in the States is Middleton Place, near Charleston, South Carolina. Another garden, which didn't make the 1001 list in the book (an omission that Dooley attempted to rectify) is actually just a few miles from Middleton Place-Magnolia Gardens.
As to gardens further afield, Mr. Dooley seems to have an affection for South Africa (The Floral Kingdom), where he wrote much of the new book. He is particularly enamored with the Protea family that is found there.
I asked Mr. Dooley what it was about gardening that he particularly likes.
He puts it simply, "It's fun. It's good for the mind. Good for the soul and the spirit and the body, because you're outside."
"It's a place to contemplate."
He is also clearly drawn to the science of horticulture. It wouldn't hurt the reader of the new book to have a small Latin dictionary on hand.
"There is always something new. And I'm never satisfied."
Vince Dooley will be autographing copies of his new book, Vince Dooley's Garden-The Horticultural Journey of a Football Coach, from 5 pm to 7:30 PM on Thursday, May 27th, on the City Hall Plaza at Suwanee Town Center, Suwanee, Georgia. For information, call 770.945.8996 or visit www.downtownsuwanee.com.
RMR. And grow stuff.
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