Michael White Kicks Off Authors on Stage for Fall at Library

I am really pleased. Michael C. White's new novel, Soul Catcher is being released on August 28th and he is going to be here at the New Canaan Library on Thursday, September 6th at 7:30 in the Adrian Lamb Room. Soul Catcher is an important fall novel. It provides a look at a very dark period in American history, capturing the pre-Civil War era and the nation's trauma over the issue of slavery. It is the kind of book, you just can't forget. Micahel White became fascinated by the topic after reading Russell Bank's novel, Cloudsplitter in which "slave catchers" are mentioned. Based on the life of abolitionist John Brown, Cloudsplitter, a book that was written after incredible research is a haunting tale that tackles the topic of race in American history and explores the roots of the abolitionist movement.

There are so many books written about the Civil War, the period leading up to the war and the time following the war. Another new title due out on November 6, 2007 is Rhett Butler's People by Donald McCaig. You know who this is about! This book was fully authorized by the Margaret Mitchell estate and tells about the story we all know and love, at least I love it! The story of Rhett Butler's life, the war, and of course Scarlett through the eyes of Rhett. I can't wait. I may re-read Gone With the Wind, it's been awhile. Some other Civil War era novels are; Jacob's Ladder: a story of Virginia during the War also by Donald McCaig, In the Fall by Jeffrey Lent, On the Occasion of My Last Afternoon by Kaye Gibbons, The March by E.L. Doctorow, The Widow of the South by Robert Hicks, Ghost Riders by Sharyn McCrumb, Enemy Women by Paulette Jiles, Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier and The Year of Jubilo and The Judas Field by Howard Bahr. Do you have a favorite Civil War novel? Tell me about it!

I have books piled up that I want to read and I'm sure that every reader out there feels the same. What did you do about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows? Have you read it yet? Are you savoring the story? I've just finished reading Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian. It was a great read, especially for Great Gatsby fans. I also finally picked up Mrs. Kimble by Jennifer Haigh. I had enjoyed her second novel, Baker Towers but had somehow missed her first book. It was very good.

The books have been selected for the Friends of the New Canaan Library Brown Bag Book Talk for the fall. On September 26, Melissa Fay Greene, author of There is No You Without Me will be joining us for lunch at 12:00 in the Adrian Lamb Room of the Library. Her book describes the inspiring and true story of an Ethiopian woman whose husband and child had died and who then found redemption in caring for the children of AIDS victims. The program is free of charge, but reservations are required by calling the Reference Desk at 594-5003 or e-mailing clahey@newcanaanlibrary.org. In October, Librarian Phebe Kirkham will lead the discussion on Special Topics In Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl. This books is about a group of eccentric but smart teenagers who gather around a private school film studies teacher during their senior year when dead bodies begin to turn up. This is just the beginning of a jam-packed monthly schedule of book discussions.

Tell us what you've read this summer, what you recommend and what you heartily disliked.