Category: ‘Books’


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Posted on October 29th, 2009 by Allen Barra

Seven great books on the World Series

Seven great books on the World Series

I always watch the World Series with the sound off and with something to read.

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Posted on October 22nd, 2009 by Glenny Brock

Annette Gordon-Reed and The Hemingses of Monticello

Annette Gordon-Reed and The Hemingses of Monticello

In THE HEMINGSES OF MONTICELLO, Annette Gordon-Reed presents the institution of slavery through the eyes of enslaved people.

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Posted on July 31st, 2009 by Jesse Chambers

Grounded reading with novelist Jonathan Miles

Grounded reading with novelist Jonathan Miles

Jonathan Miles – novelist, New York Times columnist and prolific magazine writer – got the inspiration for his acclaimed debut novel Dear American Airlines while stranded in Chicago’s O’Hare Airport.

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Posted on July 15th, 2009 by Allen Barra

Remembering Paul Hemphill

Remembering Paul Hemphill

If I tell you that Paul Hemphill was bitter about a great many things, that [...]

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Posted on April 30th, 2009 by Jesse Chambers

Alabama novelist Ace Atkins visits the Devil’s Garden

Alabama novelist Ace Atkins visits the Devil’s Garden

Ace Atkins’ latest novel is centered on the real-life murder trial of silent film comic Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle in 1921. Why is this crime and historical novelist drawn so inexorably to material that deals with violence and betrayal?

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Posted on March 5th, 2009 by Glenny Brock

The Well and The Mine wins big

The Well and The Mine wins big

Birmingham writer Gin Phillips earns Discover Award from Barnes & Noble

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Posted on January 28th, 2009 by Glenny Brock

Nanci Kincaid at the Alabama Booksmith

Nanci Kincaid at the Alabama Booksmith

EAT, DRINK & BE FROM MISSISSIPPI: That\’92s the title of Nanci Kincaid\’92s novel about a [...]

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Posted on January 26th, 2009 by Glenny Brock

Writing Today Open Forum

Go ahead and mark your calendar for the excellent Writing Today conference, scheduled to be [...]

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Posted on January 10th, 2009 by Jesse Chambers

Mad screed for a young writer

Mad screed for a young writer

Write every day. That’s the bloody edge. Do it. Do it. Either you do it or you don’t.

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Posted on December 8th, 2008 by Glenny Brock

Writing Today Open Forum lecture series

Writing Today Open Forum lecture series

Dec. 9 presentation on “Adventures in Self-Publishing”

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Posted on November 17th, 2008 by Glenny Brock

Drinking Alphabet Juice

Fans of the NPR program Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me already know that Roy Blount [...]

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Posted on October 24th, 2008 by Jesse Chambers

John Jeremiah Sullivan digs deep in the country blues

John Jeremiah Sullivan, award-winning author and feature writer, loves the country blues. “I’ve been obsessed [...]

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Posted on October 6th, 2008 by Glenny Brock

Of homegirls, handgrenades & social responsibility

I spent most of my childhood and not an insignificant amount of my adulthood thinking [...]

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Posted on July 22nd, 2008 by Glenny Brock

Confessions, reschedules

Anybody hoping to have a fancy fried sandwich anytime soon is out of luck: Birmingham [...]

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Posted on May 29th, 2008 by Jesse Chambers

Ties that bind

Ties that bind

The unlikely bond between Patterson, a Southern populist, and John F. Kennedy, a northern liberal, as well as Patterson’s troubled relationship with the President’s brother, Robert F. Kennedy, is one of the compelling stories found in Nobody But the People: The life and times of Alabama’s youngest governor, a biography of Patterson by Warren Trest, published by New South Books.

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Posted on May 28th, 2008 by Brent Thompson

Book Talk: Don Felder’s bird’s-eye view of life in The Eagles

Guitarist Don Felder joined The Eagles in 1974 during the band’s On The Border recording [...]

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Posted on May 9th, 2008 by Glenny Brock

Greencup runneth over

“.. even after April by God there is no excuse for May,” which is to [...]

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Posted on April 21st, 2008 by Madison Underwood

Author Hank Klibanoff at BCRI

In their Pulitzer Prize-winning book, The Race Beat, journalists Hank Klibanoff and Gene Roberts interviewed [...]

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Posted on April 13th, 2008 by Madison Underwood

Roy Blount Jr. talks words: An interview with the common-sense linguist

Roy Blount, Jr., talks about his new book, Alphabet Juice.

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Posted on March 13th, 2008 by Glenny Brock

Dig the debut

The debut novel by Birmingham writer Gin Phillips is available now at your favorite bookseller

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WEEKLY PICKS: do more now

Weekly Tweets

  • @blakebritton Patrick Cooper's twitter appears to be @PatCoop but he hasn't tweeted since June. #bham 1 day ago
  • Patrick Cooper is running for Mayor of Birmingham, has a three-point plan. Not "Let's Do Something." http://bit.ly/42EgLb 2 days ago
  • Story and Video: Smitherman terminates Langford chief of staff http://bit.ly/3VoUQS 2 days ago
  • Smitherman names Kevin Moore interim chief of staff. #bham 2 days ago
  • Presser over. 2 days ago
  • Says he's committed to the city. Ready to work hard, etc. Smitherman talking. Paepcke asks if any charges pressed against Bowie. No. #bham 2 days ago
  • But seriously folks, Mr. Moore last worked in Parks and Rec. He seems calm. Says this is a very important time for the city. #bham 2 days ago
  • He last worked in the Parks and Rec. dept, possibly under Leslie Knope. If you don't get it, google it. #bham 2 days ago
  • Moore has been associated with city hall in #bham for 14 years. Says there's a lot of work to be done. Going to work with budget and finance 2 days ago
  • Smitherman hopes to have proposals on how to fix the budget shortfall by Tuesday, says Moore is working through the weekend. #bham 2 days ago
  • Everyone is subject to review, smitherman says. #bham 2 days ago
  • Smitherman says she's been interviewing the Mayor's staff individually to find out who knew what about budget. #bham 2 days ago
  • More updates...

War on Dumb

The aftermath of Larry Langford 

The aftermath of Larry Langford 

Last week’s verdict established Larry Langford’s guilt, but it will be a long time before we’re done settling all his unanswered questions. 

Upon Further Review

Dear (New) Mayor, Let’s talk sports…

Dear (New) Mayor, Let’s talk sports…

Whoever emerges from the special election in December holding my city’s mantle of leadership inherits a sports scene that is in the direst of straits.

Column

The Ballad of Federal Gaol

The Ballad of Federal Gaol

A poem about an ex-mayor & a prisoner-to-be.

Film

Paranormal Activity yields big scares

Paranormal Activity yields big scares

Paranormal Activity builds scares out of shadows, loud noises and anticipation.

Small World Cartoons

Not My President

Not My President

When “your man” didn’t become President, what did you say?

Suburban Legends

Batdance

Batdance

Some thoughts on the end of society