We say yes!.
Of course, it is beyond me how anyone can’t read. I, along with Kelly Justice of Fountain Books in Richmond, VA's Shockoe Slip and Mark Niemand of WZEZ's "Mark in the Morning" are the hosts of a new show about books on the radio-Books! The first and last Monday’s of the month, we’ll meet to talk books. All sorts of books-fiction, non-fiction, poetry, children’s, romance, mystery, business, self-discovery, you name it, we’ll discuss it. We’ll let you know the buzz, tidbits about the writers, and all the other ins and outs of the book business.
Catch Books! the first and last Monday of the month from 8-9 a.m. EST at WZEZ, 100.5 Richmond or on the internet at www.wzezradio.com*link updated 4/24/08
When I speak to book groups and the like, I often mention that some book markets are fading. The two that come to mind are Westerns and Horror. (Science Fiction is another.) Well, I’ll have to change the spiel. Horror is back with new voices. How do I know? Because my co-moderators on Books! tell me so. And they are happy, happy, happy. They like that stuff.
Two books they are excited about are THE RUINS by author Scott Smith and INFECTED by Scott Sigler. Kelly said when she was done reading INFECTED she “itched”, something she actually liked about the book.
THE RUINS has been made into a motion picture that Mark went to see over the weekend. Kelly asked if the one character screamed through the whole movie the way he did in the book. Mark happily said, “Yeah!” Scott Smith did write another book that I liked very much titled A SIMPLE PLAN. Now, that’s my kind of horror–the stuff that probably has happened before. A SIMPLE PLAN was also made into a movie. (Smith is doing something right.)
Back to Kelly and Mark–it really bothers me to see these people that I like and admire so much enjoy human misery, but then such is the nature of the true horror fan. It’s the old “what if” with a twist. If you are the sort to enjoy reading while your guts are knotted with apprehension, here’s two reads that will bring joy to your heart.
Meanwhile, I’m going to do everything I can to stay on Kelly and Mark’s good sides.
THE RUINS by Scott Smith ISBN 0-312-95271-6
INFECTED by Scott Sigler ISBN 0-307-40610-5
Looking for a fun gift/activity book for a Virginian? Or yourself? Then check out CiCi Williamson’s THE BEST OF VIRGINIA FARMS COOKBOOK & TOUR BOOK. Yes, that’s a mouthful but what a great read.
From Virginia’s plantations and orchards to cattle and sheep farms to the fishermen of the Chesapeake, Williamson provides us with ancedotes, history lessons, biographical sketches of everyone Virginian. (Did you know Virginia makes cheese? Or that we raise emus and bison? And, yes, there is a host of info on our wineries–and the section on horses is great! No, we don’t eat horses but she lists the big horse events that beg for a picnic so you can really enjoy the day.)
And the recipes! These are not generic recipes. Her generous recipe section is a Who’s Who of Virginia. We have Teresa Jernigan of the Sedley’s Woman’s Club “Classic Peanut-Butter Cookies”, former attorney general Mark Earley’s “Squash Saute”, and recipes from well known restaurants like The Tobacco Company, The Inn at Montross, and Chateau Morrisette to name a few. But Williamson also features some places that are kept secret by the locals like Stone Manor Bed and Breakfast innkeepers Don and Mary Davis’s Peaches-and-Cream French Toast.
Okay, so why do I really like this book? I love a good day trip. I like getting out and exploring the countryside. For example, my son goes to Ferrum College. I thought the only thing in Ferrum was the college and Happy Pappy’s Convenience Store. Thank you, CiCi, for letting me know about the Blue Ridge Institute and Farm Museum and the wineries close at hand. I now can’t wait for my next trip to Ferrum.
