Book Notes

By The Daily Progress Staff

Published: October 12, 2008

Winn Collier will read at New Dominion shop

New Dominion Bookshop will host a reading and book-signing by Winn Collier at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Collier will read selections from his new book, “Holy Curiosity: Encountering Jesus’ Provocative Questions.”

Collier draws on on nine questions of Jesus recorded in the Bible — “Who Condemns You?” “Why Are You Afraid?” “How Much Bread Do You Have?” “Are You Being Willfully Stupid?” “My God, Why Have You Abandoned Me?” “Are You Confused?” “Do You Believe This?” “Why Do You Doubt?” and “What Do You Want?” He shows how good questions force people’s “secure spaces” and into the open.

The director of the Genesis Project, a nonprofit foundation, lives with his wife and two sons in Charlottesville, where he is leading the formation of a new church community, All Souls.

In other news at New Dominion, there will be a book discussion at 10:30 a.m. Bookshop’s Saturday.

“The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao” by Junot Diaz won a Pulitzer Prize for fiction, a National Book Critics Circle Award and a gold medal as a New York Times Notable Book.

For more information, call 295-2552.

Barnes and Noble pays tribute to teachers

Barnes and Noble stores across the country will roll out the red carpet (or make that apples!) to honor preK-grade 12 educators in their communities with fun events and special receptions through Oct. 19.

“The Barnes and Noble in Charlottesville will host a reception at 6 p.m. Tuesday for sixth- through 12th-grade educators. Another reception will be 6 p.m. Wednesday, for Pre-K through fifth-grade teachers. The event will feature guest speakers, gift basket give-aways, raffles and refreshments.

For more information, call 984-6598.

Two women’s groups join forces in book club

Women’s Health Virginia and the Women’s Initiative will be hosting its monthly Women’s Wellness Book Group at Barnes and Noble from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

The book selection is “Crossing to Avalon: A Woman’s Midlife Quest for the Sacred Feminine” by Jean Shinoda Bolen.

The discussion will be led by Kerry Day, executive director of the Women’s Initiative.

The book will serve as a springboard for discussion. People who are interested, but who may not have time to read the book are welcome. Participants are encouraged to RSVP to The Women’s Initiative, by calling 872-0047.

Local author will be at Elkton Fall Festival

Ann Mullen will be discussing and signing copies of her latest mystery thriller, “Greene County Killer,” from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Pieces of the Valley Shop during the Elkton Fall Festival.

Other books by the local author also will be available.

Light refreshments will be served. Parking is free.

Pieces of the Valley Shop is at 2100 N. Fifth St.

For more information, call 985-1957.

Waynesboro librarian leads local book review

Zahir Mahmoud, director of the Waynesboro Public Library, will be at Northside Library at noon Friday to lead the Books Sandwiched In series. Mahmoud will review “Three Cups of Tea” by Greg Mortenson.

The Jefferson-Madison Regional Library will host three other book discussions this week:

l Wednesday Night Book Group will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Northside Library to discuss “Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress” by Dai Sijie.

l The Brown Baggers Book Group will meet noon Thursday at Central Library to discuss “An Arsonist’s Guide to Writers’ Homes in New England” by Brock Clarke.

l The Literary Masterpiece Book Group meets 10 a.m. Friday at Gordon Avenue Library to discuss “The Prince” by Nicolo Machiavelli.

For more information about any of these free events, call 979-7151 Ext. 211.

University of Virginia students read from work

The University of Virginia will continue its MFA Reading Series this week. Evan Beaty and Michelle Cuevas will read from their works at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Tea House on the Downtown Mall. For more information, call 924-6675.

From staff reports