The New York Times recently published its Holiday Books edition of its Book Review. It’s list of 100 Notable Books of 2009 included a couple with Asheville connections:
The Lacuna: Barbara Kingsolver’s book is largely set in Asheville, and has been getting some incredible reviews. Kingsolver launched her book tour for The Lacuna with a reading and book signing at Asheville High School recently.
The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt: This book takes a look at what the Book Review describes as “the quintessential robber baron.” He was, of course, the patriarch of the Vanderbilt family so well known to us here in Asheville as the home of the Biltmore Estate, built by George Vanderbilt.
What other hot books of the year have an Asheville or Western North Carolina connection? Ron Rash’s award-winning Serena is certainly one. What else?
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also, the New York Times just put "Hands in Harmony: Traditional Crafts and Music in Appalachia" on their 2009 Coffee Table books guide:
http://www.nytimes.com/gift-guide/holiday-2009/giftguide-giftbooks/list.html
i HIGHLY recommend Hands in Harmony by Asheville resident Tim Barnwell
http://www.barnwellphoto.com/handsinharmony.html
incredible b&w photos of people in Appalachia who have worked and created beautiful art and music with their hands, accompanied by warm interviews with each person. one photo of Ralph Stanley with his grandson is breathtaking. also has great ones of Doc Watson, Etta Baker, David Holt…
Smoky Mountain Magic by Horace Kephart, newly published in 2009. Very enjoyable read.
One Second After by William R. Forstchen. The story is set in Black Mountain and Asheville. It’s a great novel.
And that reminds me – when are you and Mumpower due out with your book? I heard it was going to be titled something like "Columnist and Councilman: Tales from the ‘Hood."
Yes, JB – good catch.
Cow Across America, by Dale Neal. OK, I sit next to him at work and he made me write this, but it really is a great read. And it would make a nice Christmas present…