From Kent:

Author David Joy with The Line That Held Us We're welcoming authors with new novels set in North Carolina. This evening at 7 p.m., established Appalachian novelist David Joy is back with us to present The Line That Held Us (G.P. Putnam's Sons $27), the story of an accidental shooting and the subsequent fallout among families and friends. Our well-read staffer Belinda says, "The characters in this gripping story are forced to ask themselves how far they will go to protect those they care about most....David Joy's vivid descriptions and his precisely effective prose pulled me into their desperate circumstances." And in a starred review, Booklist says, "This is fiction as beautiful and compelling as it is searing."

Author Delia Owens with Where the Crawdads Sing Award-winning nature writer Delia Owens visits Monday, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. with her debut novel Where the Crawdads Sing (Putnam's $26), about a young woman, Kya, who has survived for years alone in the marshes and sands of the N.C. coast. Belinda loved this book as well, and says, "I was enchanted by Kya's optimism and resilience to overcome the cruelties that life wages, and to seek out and celebrate beauty in her harsh world." The New York Times Book Review calls Crawdads "A painfully beautiful first novel that is at once a murder mystery, a coming-of-age narrative and a celebration of nature." We hope you'll join us for one (or both!) of these presentations.

* * *

STAFF PICKS

All the Colors We Will See book jacket From Mamie: I met Patrice Gopo at a writing retreat in the North Carolina mountains. She had just sent her husband home to Charlotte, and she read her essay "For My Husband Driving Down a Mountain," about her fear for him as he did so. Her calm and melodic reading voice was a sharp contrast to the words. That essay is included in her new collection, All the Colors We Will See: Reflections on Barriers, Brokenness, and Finding Our Way (Thomas Nelson $16.99). Her beautiful writing serves to underscore the import of her subject matter: her childhood in Alaska, her culture shock as a newcomer to the South, and being a Jamaican-American married to a Zimbabwean man, living together in South Africa, among other things. More than ever we need to read books by people like Gopo, who writes in a way that feels honest but hopeful. She'll be here to discuss this collection with Durham spiritual writer and speaker, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, on Thursday, Sept. 20th at 7 p.m.


The Cabin at the End of the World book jacket From Jon: The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay (William Morrow $26.99) is perhaps the first significant literary horror novel of the current social climate. Propulsive and infectious and seriously frightening in about every way there is—an existential showdown between a modern liberal family and the strangers that invade their cabin retreat. Are the invaders zealots? Is the family blameless in the inevitable violence? Is something more sinister pulling the strings? Surprising and deeply emotional. (Jon moderates the Literary Horror Book Club).


My Year of Rest and Relaxation book jacket Two from Matt: While I've enjoyed Ottessa Moshfegh's character development previously, her new novel, My Year of Rest and Relaxation (Penguin $26), really gives her space to stretch out. The result is her best work yet: subtly but constantly funny, creative in some very unexpected ways. The plot's so very basic, the observations spot-on, the character such a beautifully drawn (withdrawn, too) loner-weirdo-heartbroken human; I devoured the whole thing in one delirious lump, returning for my favorite spoonfuls the next few days.


Global Dystopias book jacket Edited by Junot Díaz, Global Dystopias (Boston Review $19.95) is an unassuming little monster of a book, hiding in the Science Fiction Anthology section, waiting to scare you half out of your skin. When it comes to dystopian fiction, this goes farther than most. Everything has collapsed worldwide, all the narrators are hybrids and bare survivors, humans are horrible and beautiful (neither is much use). It takes a certain reader to love this, and I'm here to let you certain readers know. Features exceedingly harsh fiction by lesser-known writers bound for "success", interviews with China Mieville and Margaret Atwood, and essays on Orwell and Philip K. Dick. Dig in!

* * *

JOHN GRISHAM IN CONVERSATION WITH JODI PICOULT

QRB and Meredith Friends of the Library are hosting author Jodi Picoult at Meredith College on October 4th with her forthcoming novel, A Spark of Light, and we're excited to announce that Jodi will be in conversation with John Grisham! This event is in Jones Auditorium, Thurday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. Receive a ticket for one seat and the greeting line with Jodi Picoult with QRB pre-order of A Spark of Light. John Grisham will not be available for photos or signing.

* * *

AWARDS

The Willie Morris Award for Southern Fiction, given annually to a writer whose work is set in the South and exemplifies the tenets of Southern literature, has announced its shortlist of finalists:
The award ceremony is October 22 in New York City, and this year will include a special panel on the life and writings of Pat Conroy and a major announcement about an expansion of the Willie Morris Award.

Anne Charnock has won the 2018 Arthur C. Clarke Award for science fiction literature for her novel Dreams Before the Start of Time. Award director Tom Hunter commented, "Charnock's multi-generational vision of expanding human reproductive technologies is smart, science-literate fiction that embraces the challenge of humanizing big ethical questions and succeeds by exploring possible future scenarios that feel utterly real."

* * *

2019 CALENDARS AND PLANNERS ARE IN

It's never too early to start shopping for your 2019 calendars and planners! Come in and browse our brand new fresh selection of wall, desk, and page-a-day calendars. Plus we've got Moleskine planners from pocket to desk size, and the ever-popular August-to-August academic planner in just about every color.

picture of planners and calendars

* * *

NC BOOKWATCH

NC Bookwatch with host D.G. Martin airs on UNC-TV on Thursdays at 5:00 p.m and Sundays at 11:00 a.m. Coming up, D.G.'s guests are Elizabeth Kostova with The Shadow Land, Margaret Maron with Take Out, and Daniel Wallace with Extraordinary Adventures. Find the full cable schedule and a link to watch online here.

* * *

QRB EVENTS

TONIGHT, AUG. 15, 7:00 p.m. David Joy, The Line That Held Us. When Darl Moody goes hunting for a monster buck he's chased for years, he never expects to accidentally shoot a man digging ginseng. And the man he's killed is a Brewer, a family notorious for vengeance and violence. Edgar Award-nominated NC author, David Joy, brings us this remarkable novel about the cover-up of an accidental death, and the dark consequences that reverberate through the lives of four people who will never be the same again. Booklist says, "Joy has proved adept with southern noir in his first two novels, and he nails it again here."

MONDAY, AUG. 20, 7:00 p.m. Delia Owens, Where the Crawdads Sing. Near a quiet town on the North Carolina coast, a young woman who has survived for years alone in the marshes and sands yearns to open herself to a new life. Nonfiction writer Owens' debut novel is at once an exquisite ode to the natural world, a heartbreaking coming-of-age story, and a surprising tale of possible murder. "Owens delivers her mystery wrapped in gorgeous, lyrical prose. It's clear she's from this place—the land of the southern coasts, but also the emotional terrain—you can feel it in the pages."—Alexandra Fuller.

picture of David Sedaris and Calypso jacket cover TUESDAY, AUG. 21, 7:00 p.m. David Sedaris, Calypso. Seats are sold out, but signing-line tickets are available. In Calypso, David Sedaris sets his formidable powers of observation toward middle age and mortality. He's never been sharper, and his ability to shock readers into laughter is unparalleled. Seats for David's presentation are sold out, however with QRB purchase of Calypso, you will receive a ticket to the after-program signing-line where you will meet David and he will sign and personalize your copy. No photography or videography is permitted at this event.


picture of Kati Gardner and Brave Enough jacket cover THURSDAY, AUG. 23, 7:00 p.m. Kati Gardner, Brave Enough. It's book release party time! Join us to celebrate this local author's debut novel for young adults ages 14+. Spoiler alert: No one with cancer dies in this story. They do play Uno, shave their head, get stabbed, make new friends, enjoy glitter, attend camp, get kissed (!), and above all else, discover they are brave enough to continue living life. The pre-event dinner at 5:00 p.m. with Kati at Aladdin's in North Hills is sold out--email Erin@quailridgebooks.com to be placed on the waiting list or for more information.


SATURDAY, AUG. 25, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Local musician Bruce Emery will be playing acoustic guitar during the middle of the day for everyone's enjoyment. Bruce is the creator and publisher of the Skeptical Guitarist and the Guitar/Ukelele From Scratch instructional book series, and he has several music CDs.

Photo of Jaki Shelton Green SUNDAY, AUG. 26, 2:00 p.m. Join us for a tribute to award-winning poet and teacher Jaki Shelton Green, who has been named the 2018–2019 North Carolina Poet Laureate. Green's publishers, fellow poets, and friends will be here to read and celebrate with her, and David Potorti, Literature & Theater Director of the North Carolina Arts Council, will introduce Green.



http://www.quailridgebooks.com/ BOOK CLUB BASH! Evening Edition MONDAY, AUG. 27, 7:00 p.m.; Morning Edition TUESDAY, AUG. 28, 10:00 a.m. You don't have to be in a book club to come to Book Club Bash, but if you are, you'll want to join us when our staff stands up and recommends books we think are great selections to read and discuss. The same books are discussed at both meetings. We'll serve wine and cheese at Evening Edition, and coffee and doughnuts at Morning Edition, and have prize giveaways at both. Bash is always a blast!


* * *

BOOK CLUBS & MEETINGS (Everyone welcome)

*Our Saturday morning Under the Tree Storytime for kids is on hiatus and resumes September 15 at 10:30 a.m. Mz. Linda's Toddler Time on Monday's at 10:30 a.m., for ages ages 1.5–4, continues without a break.

THURSDAY, AUG. 16, 7:00 p.m. FOREVER YOUNG: YA FOR ADULTS, Warcross by Marie Lu.

SATURDAY, AUG. 18, 10:00 a.m. SINGLES, Exit West by Mohsin Hamid.

SUNDAY, AUG. 19, 4:30 p.m. LITERARY PURSUITS, Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope.

MONDAY, AUG. 20, 7:00 p.m. UNDERSTANDING THE MIDDLE EAST, Gaza Weddings by Ibrahim Nasrallah.

THURSDAY, AUG. 23, 7:00 p.m. SCI-FI/FANTASY, Scythe by Neal Shusterman. The club's selections include a focus on strong female protagonists and diverse themes such as gender.

SATURDAY, AUG 25, 7:00 p.m. TRIANGLE ORIGAMI FOLDERS UNITED (TOFU). Open to any skill level.

SUNDAY, AUG. 26, 4:30 p.m. THE QRB BOOK CLUB, As You Like It by William Shakespeare.

MONDAY, AUG. 27, 7:00 p.m. CONTEMPORARY FICTION, My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout (meeting at member's home; email John B. at jpb1243@gmail.com for info).

THE FREAKIN' AWESOME BOOK CLUB, for young adults with developmental disabilities, meets Sundays at 4:45 p.m. at QRB or in members' homes. Currently reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling. Contact facilitator Marlyn Wells at marlynwells@gmail.com for more information.

TEEN WRITERS COLLECTIVE: Meets at Whole Foods Community Room in Ridgewood Shopping Center, usually on the first, third and fifth Wednesdays of the month at 7:00 p.m. Suggested entry level is rising high school freshman+. Contact Cris Crissman at criscrissman@gmail.com for more information.

* * *

Quail Ridge Books
33 Years of Independent Bookselling
919-828-1588
QuailRidgeBooks.com

“Every reader wants the same thing: to open the cover of a book and watch the words explode like fireworks off the page.”~~Kim Lehman

For inquiries concerning QuailMail contact editor Kent Bryant at kent@quailridgebooks.com.