Nevermore: Girls in the Stilt House, Writing Retreat, March Forward Girl

Reported by Rita

The Girls in the Stilt House: a Novel by Kelly Mustian

Murder breaks through the racial divide that separates two teenage girls, forging an unlikely friendship. A first novel.

Very well written - a real page-turner.  – KN      4 stars

 

The Writing Retreat: a Novel by Julia Bartz

While attending a month-long writing retreat at the estate of a feminist horror writer who issues a life-changing challenge, Alex, determined to win this seemingly impossible contest, ignores the strange happenings around her until the disappearance of a fellow writer leads her on a desperate search for the truth.

Turned out to be more horror than expected. – MH     4 stars

March Forward, Girl by Melba Beals

A member of the Little Rock Nine shares her memories of growing up in the South under Jim Crow.

Beautifully written - very moving.  – AH      5 stars

 

Other Books Mentioned

How to know a person : the art of seeing others deeply and being deeply seen by David Brooks

Snow by John Banville

Warriors don't cry : a searing memoir of the battle to integrate Little Rock's Central High by Melba Pattillo Beals

A mighty long way : my journey to justice at Little Rock Central High School; adapted for young readers by Carlotta Walls Lanier

Zodiac : a graphic memoir by Weiwei Ai

Jimshoes in Vietnam : orienting a westerner by James R. Klassen

So big by Edna Ferber

The covenant of water : a novel by Abraham Verghese

 The echo of old books : a novel by Barbara Davis Family lore : a novel by Elizabeth Acevedo

 

New Books

The mountain king : a novel by Anders De la Motte

The Warsaw Sisters : a novel of WWII Poland by Amanda Barratt

The joy of Photoshop : when you ask the wrong guy for help by James Fridman

Nevermore: Disc Golf, Speckled Beauty, Just One Damned Thing After Another, March Forward Girl

 

Nevermore, February 20, 2024

Reported by Kristin

One of our Nevermore members Zoomed in to meet with us, because she was out of town but still wanted to share with us the joy of Disc Golf, specifically The Definitive Guide to Disc Golf by Justin Menickelli and Ryan Pickens. Our reader explained that this book discusses a little of the sport’s history, starting in the late 1960s. Technique is also described, and all the advantages of the exercise, but her final comment was, “There are all these different nuances, but all I want to do it get it into the basket!” KM

Another reader picked up The Speckled Beauty: A Dog and His People by Rick Bragg. The author tells the story of Speck, a dog who was definitely not a good boy, yet helped heal Bragg in a time when he needed it most. Our reader enjoyed this book, noting that “this dog in is trouble non-stop!” WJ

Just One Damned Thing After Another interested another reader, as she immersed herself into the first of The Chronicles of St. Mary’s series by Jodi Taylor. Dr. Madeleine Maxwell seems to find herself in situations of not just studying history, but going back in time to revisit it. Our reader found that the time travel locales were extremely detailed, and she thinks that she will likely continue with the series. MH

Finally, a Nevermore member reviewed what she called “a very powerful book”—March Forward, Girl: From Young Warrior to Little Rock Nine by Melba Pattillo Beals. Written for young adults but suitable for all ages, this memoir from one of the Black students who desegregated Little Rock Central High School in 1957 is an incredibly moving view of the Civil Rights movement. MS

 

Also mentioned:

Nora Bonesteel’s Christmas Past by Sharyn McCrumb

The Last of the Moon Girls by Barbara Davis

This Impossible Brightness by Jessica Bryant

The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown

Always Look Up by Michael J. Fox

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Harvest by Catherine Landis

A Guide to Gardening with Southwest Virginia Plants

Around the World in 60 Seconds: the Nas Daily Journey: 1,000 Days, 64 Countries, 1 Beautiful Planet by Nuseir Yassin

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

Twilight in Hazard: An Appalachian Reckoning by Alan Maimon