Current Newsletter: Beach reads from the bestsellers

Book Buzz Feature: Spotlight On: Banal Nightmare by Halle Butler
When I first started writing seriously, about 16 years ago, I wrote down conversations at restaurants, on the bus, anywhere I was just passing time, because I was trying to develop my ear. For a very brief while I also transcribed an hour or two a day of public access television, so it wasn’t just natural conversation I was interested in learning—or maybe ingraining is a better word. There was something strict about it. I would also try to write down conversations I’d had when I got home, and then deviate from what had actually been said, try to add in staircase wit, and then think about if that was actually better, or if it introduced something embarrassing to the interaction, and if it did, could I go from there to develop something new. I think the important thing is to become observant of both the world and of yourself, and see what flows from there. What you want to develop is insight, and (fortunately, I think) that looks different for every author and artist. ― Halle Butler, Interview, Our Culture

Decide For Yourself Banned Book Feature:
Beartown by Fredrik Bachman
If you want to discover your new favorite book, read Beartown. Dozens of character POVs, phenomenal writing, a heartbreaking storyline, and a thrilling murder mystery. You will be hooked from the very first line. Seriously, open it and read the first line.
Reviewed by Rachel Randolph, Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee

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