I'm thrilled to announce the next Book Club Girl on Air show in collaboration with Books-a-Million bookstores. In honor of their pick of Deborah Johnson's novel, The Air Between Us, as their June literary book club pick, we'll be inviting all of BAM's customers, as well as all of you, to participate in a book club conversation with Johnson on Wednesday, June 3rd at 2 pm EST.
Revere, Mississippi, with its population of "20,000 and sinking," is not unlike most Southern towns in the 1960s. Blacks live on one side of town and whites on the other. The two rarely mix. Or so everyone believes. But the truth is brought to the forefront when Critter, who is only ten, black and barely tall enough to see over the dashboard, drives Billy Ray—wounded in a suspicious hunting accident—to the segregated Doctor's Hospital. Dr. Cooper Connelly, the town's most high-profile resident, assures Billy Ray's family he'll be fine. He dies, however, and most people assume it is just a typical hunting accident—until the sheriff orders an investigation.
Suddenly the connections between white and black are revealed to be deeper than anyone expects, which makes the town's struggle with integration that much more complicated and consuming. Dr. Connelly takes an unexpectedly progressive view toward integration; the esteemed Dr. Reese Jackson, who is so prominent that even Ebony has profiled him, tries to stay above the fray. At times, it seems the town's only distraction is the racially ambiguous Madame Melba, a fortune-teller and "voyeur" with a past.
Booklist said of The Air Between Us: "this heartwarming novel will strike a chord with fans of Sue Monk Kidd's The Secret Life of Bees." You can browse inside the book here and check out the reading group guide here.
Set your reminder for the show with Deborah Johnson on 6/3 here! You can call in live and ask her your questions directly at 347-945-6149 or type them in via chat and we'll ask them. Be sure to register at Blog Talk Radio prior to the show to make sure you can participate in the chat right away. Can't wait to talk to all of you!
I'm marking this one down. This book has been on my radar for quite awhile and it looks like one I'd absolutely love!
Posted by: Julie P. | May 18, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Going to have to find a copy of this book since it sounds like a great one!
Posted by: Melissa C | May 18, 2009 at 12:23 PM
I'll try to have my copy read before the show!
Posted by: Kathy | May 18, 2009 at 01:47 PM
Looking forward to listening to the broadcast. I will have to read asap before the show. Thanks for my copy.
Posted by: Seaside Book Worm | May 18, 2009 at 11:07 PM
For those in New Jersey, this is going to be an amazing day!
BOOKSNJ AT PARAMUS PUBLIC LIBRARY
BCCLS Welcomes Acclaimed Authors and Avid Readers Alike
The Paramus Public Library and the Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS) are proud to announce BooksNJ2009, a celebration of books and the readers who love them, on Sunday, June 14 from 1 to 5 pm. A classic rock n’ roll performance by The Retros will wrap up the festival beginning at 5:30 pm.
The festival will showcase writers from the state of New Jersey and invites all lovers of literature. You can expect a parade of popular and critically acclaimed authors born and bred in the Garden State. Modeled after the annual National Book Festival in Washington, DC, there will be outdoor areas devoted to poetry, fiction, non-fiction, children’s literature, and books for young adults.
Participants can attend panel discussions on a variety of topics and meet authors like Fox & Friends’ Steve Doocy. Other activities include storytelling, author readings, a poetry slam, book signings, and much more. Thanks to New York Life’s sponsorship, the Children’s ID Bus will also be at the festival, providing free ID cards.
So far over 90 authors have committed to attend, and more are signing on as word spreads and June 14 approaches. We are excited to welcome some of the best and the brightest in the area:
· Sung Woo, first-time novelist who has received terrific reviews for his first novel, Everything Asian, about a Korean family in New Jersey
· Chris Grabenstein, whose mysteries are set at the Jersey shore
· Vince Gargiulo, whose book about Palisades Amusement Park is a perennial favorite
· George Witte, Editor-in-Chief of St. Martin’s Press and published poet
· Susan Beth Pfeffer, winner of a Garden State Book Award and YA One Book NJ 2009 for her novel, Life as We Knew It
· Joshua Henkin, author of Matrimony, which was one of the New York Times Top 100 Books of the Year for 2007
· Mary Jane Clark, best-selling mystery writer
It’s no coincidence that BooksNJ is happening in 2009. BCCLS marks its 30th anniversary this year. What better way to celebrate than to bring together the talent of authors and the passion of readers? After all, that’s the mission of the Paramus Public Library, and BCCLS as a whole.
Many thanks to Berkeley College, NJ State Library, New York Life, and the Town News for sponsoring BooksNJ2009.
Visit www.booksnj2009.org for the latest news. For more information on this event, call the Paramus Public Library at (201) 599-1300.
Posted by: Arlene Sahraie | June 02, 2009 at 08:05 PM