Dear Gentle Reader,

With another polar vortex on the horizon this week, we hope you are safe and warm at home with a good book. Our thoughts are with the Western NC survivors of Hurricane Helene who are still struggling and those of the southern California wildfires. BeLoved Asheville is helping tackle critical problems such as food, water, housing, and healthcare for survival and stability, If you are looking for ways to help in California, Octavia’s Bookshelf has been a widely recognized hub in helping unite the community and distributing much needed supplies. Children’s Books for Altadena is raising funds to replace home libraries and offer comfort to displaced families.

It is with great pleasure, though, that we announce a ticketed event with Patti Callahan Henry, celebrating her new novel, The Story She Left Behind, on Saturday, March 22nd at 11am. Ms. Henry will be in conversation with Frances Mayes. Inspired by a true literary mystery, New York Times bestselling author of the mesmerizing The Secret Book of Flora Lea returns with the sweeping story of a legendary book, a lost mother, and a daughter’s search for them both.

“The spectacular Patti Callahan Henry is at the height of her literary powers with The Story She Left Behind. Bronwyn’s story, steeped in secrets and an unsolved family mystery, is emotional and atmospheric. The author paints the dual settings, languid South Carolina in America and the haunting Lake District of England with color and veracity. This mother-daughter story is one for the ages.” –Adriana Trigiani, New York Times bestselling author of The Good Left Undone

Next Sunday at 2pm we kick off our 2025 Poetry Series with the NC Poetry Society withPaul Jones, Anna Lewis, and M. Scott Douglass.

We hope you will join us!

The Usual Suspects,

Pete, Johanna, Sarah, Tyler, Beth, Amy and Keebe