ReadSC News

For the third consecutive year, the South Carolina Center for the Book will participate in the Route One Reads initiative, a program under the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. In 2017, the theme of the initiative will be memoirs and biographies, and the selected book to represent South Carolina is The Other Mother: A Rememoir by Teresa Bruce.

Join us for this month's author talk and book signing with Stephen Chesley, Jim Casada, and Jacob Rivers for The Egret’s Plumes published by USC Press. An inspiring illustrated story that illuminates the lessons the natural world has to offer. Thursday, January 26, 2017, noon-1:00 p.m.

Join us for this month's author talk and book signing Thursday, December 8, 2016, at noon when we will hear from South Carolina artist West Fraser about his book, Painting the Southern Coast: The Art of West Fraser published by USC Press. The beauty and spirit of coastal landscapes and waterways captured and celebrated in art.

Young readers in grades 4-12 are invited to write a personal letter to an author for the Letters about Literature (LAL) contest, a national reading and writing promotion program. The letter can be to any author (living or dead) from any genre (fiction or nonfiction, contemporary or classic) explaining how that author's work changed the student's life or view of the world. Prizes will be awarded on both the state and national levels. The South Carolina Center for the Book's panel of judges will select the top letter writers in the state, to be honored in an awards ceremony at a later date.

Join us for Speaker @ the Center on Thursday, November 3, 2016. We'll hear from John M. Sherrer, III, who will discuss his book, Remembering Columbia published by Arcadia. Columbia, South Carolina, is very much a tale of two cities. Founded as a political compromise, forged by an economy shackled by slavery, and physically vanquished by fire, the Palmetto States second capital became a proving ground for a new society less than a century after its establishment.

If you’re interested in writing and talking about writing, plan on attending Francis Marion University’s annual Pee Dee Fiction and Poetry Festival. Four nationally known and best-selling authors and poets, and their avid readers, will descend upon the university Nov. 10 and 11 at this year’s Festival, which is free and open to the public.

Join us on October 26 from noon-1pm for Speaker @ the Center featuring Tim Johnston of Short Story America. Tim will give a reading from his newest book, Friday Afternoon and Other Stories. Books will be available for sale and signing.

Join us on October 12 from noon-1pm for Speaker @ the Center featuring Adam King, Archaeology in South Carolina: Exploring the Hidden Heritage of the Palmetto State by USC Press. All Speaker @ the Center programs take place from noon to 1:00 p.m. at the South Carolina State Library, 1500 Senate Street, Columbia.

The South Carolina State Library’s Center for the Book has selected the book Dog Diaries: Secret Writings of the WOOF Society, to represent South Carolina at the 2016 National Book Festival in Washington, D.C.  The book is the state’s selection for the National Book Festival’s “Discover Great Places Through Reading Map”.  Each state selects one title of fiction or non-fiction, a book about the state or by an author from the state that is a good read for children or young adults.  The map is distributed at the Pavilion of the States at the Festival and lists “Great Reads About Great

Join us for this month's author talk and book signing on Thursday, September 22, from noon-1:00 p.m. Tom Poland, Georgialina, A Southland As We Knew It – USC Press. A nostalgic look at Georgia and South Carolina before development, outsiders, and modern conveniences brought wholesale change.