Colby Deitz

Good evening, everyone!
It’s gonna be MAY!!! (I couldn’t resist…)

May has knocked on the door, so it is time for another book read! For the month of May, we’re going to do something a little different. This time around, we are highlighting a new local author and supporting his first book!

“Hillsville Remembered” by Travis A. Rountree

On March 14, 1912, Hillsville, Virginia, native Floyd Allen (1856–1913) was convicted of three criminal charges: assault, maiming, and the rescue of prisoners in custody. What had begun as a scuffle between Allen’s nephews over a young woman ended with him being charged as the guilty party after he allegedly hit a deputy in the head with a pistol. When the jury returned with the verdict, Allen stood up and announced, “Gentleman, I ain’t a-goin.” A gunfight ensued in the crowded courtroom that killed five people and wounded seven others. The state of Virginia put Floyd and Claude Allen to death by electrocution the following spring. More than a century later, the event continues to impact the citizens and communities of the area as local newspapers recirculate the sordid story and give credence to annual public reenactments that continue to negatively impact the national perception of the region.

About the Author – Travis A. Rountree is an assistant professor of English at Western Carolina University. His writings have appeared in North Carolina Folklore Journal, Appalachian Journal, Journal of Southern History, and Storytelling in Queer Appalachia: Imagining and Writing the Unspeakable Other.

Here are a few options for picking up the book.

BUY LOCAL!!! Visit City Lights in Sylva! – $50.75 Hardcover

(NOTE: As of today, City Lights is all sold out. However, they are expecting a new shipment next week…)
https://www.citylightsnc.com/book/9780813197227/

Amazon – $35.00 Hardcover
https://www.amazon.com/Hillsville-Remembered-Historical-Appalachias-Notorious/dp/0813197228/

Amazon – $26.49 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Hillsville-Remembered-Historical-Appalachias-Notorious-ebook/dp/B09Z7DMJPS/

We’re still narrowing down the date for the discussion, but we are hoping to have a special treat. We may be able to have Travis join us later in the month at the discussion meeting! We may be able to get an exclusive chat with the author, and have an opportunity to pick his brain about everything concerning “Hillsville Remembered”! Of course this is a work in progress, so I’ll keep you updated on the topic of the discussion meeting. A new availability poll will be going out soon so that we can get some feedback on the discussion date/time. Be on the lookout for that.

If you have any questions, feel free to hit me up!

If you would like to suggest books for our read list, please use the following link: https://forms.gle/HvxZ4CzNwyD2EnRw8

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out.

Do you know someone who may also be interested in joining our book club? Or just joining us for one session? I encourage you to forward this message along or have them get in touch with me. Anyone and everyone is welcome to attend. 

== Are you interested in joining the book club? Fill out the following form with your contact information: https://forms.gle/QKB9Jg4GAnGBfvN16 (This information will only be used for the book club and will not be shared.) ==

Thanks,
Colby Deitz

Posted in book club, news

Howdy everyone! 

Thank you all for filling out the availability survey.

It looks like the best day for most people is Wednesday, April 26. We are going to shoot for 6pm to 7pm at Innovation Station in Dillsboro. I have confirmed with them that they are going to reserve a table for us.

I hope you are able to join us!

Feel free to share with others as you see fit.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.

Thanks,

Colby Deitz

Posted in book club, news

Hey, yo! 
Happy Wednesday to you all!

It is once again time for us to choose which book the group is going to read for the coming month. We’ve got a grand selection to pick from this time. So, go check them out!

1. “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin – more info
2. “The London Séance Society” by Sarah Penner – more info
3. “Age of Vice” by Deepti Kapoor – more info
4. “Fairy Tale” by Stephen King – more info

Go vote for your favorite!
https://forms.gle/g42rofpTXLerLEiR6

If you have any questions, feel free to hit me up!

If you would like to suggest books for our read list, please use the following link: https://forms.gle/HvxZ4CzNwyD2EnRw8

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out.

Do you know someone who may also be interested in joining our book club? Or just joining us for one session? I encourage you to forward this message along or have them get in touch with me. Anyone and everyone is welcome to attend. 

== Are you interested in joining the book club? Fill out the following form with your contact information: https://forms.gle/QKB9Jg4GAnGBfvN16 (This information will only be used for the book club and will not be shared.) ==

Thanks,
Colby Deitz

Posted in book club, news

Good evening, everyone…
I hope this great Spring weather is treating you all splendidly!

We had a very interesting discussion last week talking about “A Court of Thorns and Roses”. Thanks to everyone who was able to make it out. I always love how people pick up on different things in the material. I learn new things with every topic!

Speaking of new topics… It is time to add some options to our list! The suggestion box for new reads is currently open. Drop a title from your reading list in the box at https://forms.gle/HvxZ4CzNwyD2EnRw8 . Once we get 4 new titles in the queue, I’ll send out the voting poll. 

If you have any questions, please let me know.

*Don’t forget the suggestion box for new reads is always open: https://forms.gle/HvxZ4CzNwyD2EnRw8

Thanks,
Colby Deitz

Posted in book club, news

Good evening, everyone!

March has been a little topsey-turvey with the weather. It can’t seem to make up its mind on if it wants to be cold or warm.

Things are warming up for our Book Club discussion for March, though! There is a lot to unpack with this month’s read, so I hope you all are ready for a fun conversation.

Everything is set with our host. We’ll be meeting at Innovation Station in Dillsboro on March 23 at 7pm. They’ll have a table reserved for us, and there are always interesting drinks to pair with our talks.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

If you have a suggestions for the reading list, drop it here: https://forms.gle/HvxZ4CzNwyD2EnRw8

Hope to see you all Thursday!

Thanks,

Colby Deitz

Posted in book club, news

Hi, all!

It is finally beginning to warm up a bit outdoors. And much like the weather, our new reading selection for March is heating up as well! 

(Fair warning, it may be a spicy read this month.)

**Look below for a special Audiobook tip**

“A Court of Thorns and Roses”

by Sarah J. Maas

When 19-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin – one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world. As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she’s been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow over the faerie lands is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it… or doom Tamlin – and his world – forever.

Here are some links to pick up the book:

Kindle = $6.65

Paperback = $10.37

Hardcover = $17.59

Audiobook via Audible = $26.95**

https://www.amazon.com/A-Court-of-Thorns-and-Roses-audiobook/dp/B00WXS68T4/

**DID YOU KNOW** If you purchase the Kindle version, you can usually get the audible audiobook version for a discount? If you look just beneath the checkout button, you should see a little checkbox that says something like “Add the Audiobook for $$”. (It was like $7.49 for me.) You don’t need an audible subscription to redeem, you’ll just own the audible version too. It is a pretty neat feature that I’ve been enjoying. Plus, if you’ve bought any previous Kindle book, you can see the ones that have discounted Audiobook versions using Matchmaker for Amazon… Not every book is available with a discount, but this one was.** https://www.amazon.com/hz/audible/matchmaker

Buy Local from City Lights Bookstore in Sylva, NC = $19.00
https://www.citylightsnc.com/book/9781635575569

Check it out at the Jackson County Public Library (Fontana Regional Library)

https://fontana.nccardinal.org/eg/opac/record/9203122?locg=155

Please feel free to share this with anyone who might enjoy this title, and invite them to join us if they want.

More info will be coming about March’s discussion.

Have fun reading!!!

**Our suggestion box for new reads is always open: https://forms.gle/HvxZ4CzNwyD2EnRw8

Thanks,
Colby Deitz

Posted in book club, news

Goooooood evening, everyone!

We have final confirmation for our monthly book club discussion. We’ll be meeting at Innovation Station in Dillsboro on February 23 at 7pm. They’ll have a table reserved for us.

Bring your books, your melons, and your lust for adventure!

If you have any questions, please let me know.

If you have a suggestions for the reading list, drop it here: https://forms.gle/HvxZ4CzNwyD2EnRw8

Hope to see you all Thursday!

Thanks,

Colby Deitz

Posted in book club, news

Hi, book readers!

February is jumping out of the gate, along with our new book selection!

“Dragons of Autumn Twilight” (Book 1 of 3) by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman

​Once merely creatures of legend, the dragons have returned to Krynn. But with their arrival comes the departure of the old gods—and all healing magic. As war threatens to engulf the land, lifelong friends reunite for an adventure that will change their lives and shape their world forever . . .

Here are some links to pick up the book:

Amazon Kindle = $7.99
https://www.amazon.com/Dragons-Autumn-Twilight-Chronicles-Dragonlance-ebook/dp/B004G606K8

Amazon Paperback = $21.99
https://www.amazon.com/Dragonlance-Dragons-Autumn-Twilight-Chronicles/dp/B00A2PJ90K

Buy it used on eBay = $5ish 
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1311&_nkw=dragons+of+autumn+twilight&_sacat=0

Buy Local from City Lights Bookstore in Sylva, NC = $7.99 
https://www.citylightsnc.com/book/9780786915743

Check it out at the Jackson County Public Library (Fontana Regional Library)
https://fontana.nccardinal.org/eg/opac/record/76760?locg=155

Please feel free to share this with anyone who might enjoy this title, and invite them to join us if they want.

More info will be coming about this month’s discussion.

Have fun reading!!!

**Our suggestion box for new reads is always open: https://forms.gle/HvxZ4CzNwyD2EnRw8

Thanks,
Colby Deitz

Posted in book club, news

What’s shaking, people?

I hope everyone is having a great start to the year.

It’s time… It’s time… It’s book club selection time! Time! Time! 

Time to choose a book for our February reading selection! Use this link to cast your vote. https://forms.gle/bTyfxtmx9AQYyzjA9

1. “The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra” by Vaseem Khan – More Info
2. “He Who Walks in Shadow” by Brett J. Talley – More Info
3. “Into the Wild” by Jon Krakauer – More Info
4. “Dragons of Autumn Twilight” (Book 1 of 3) by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman – More Info

Go vote for your favorite!

If you would like to suggest books for our read list, please use the following link: https://forms.gle/HvxZ4CzNwyD2EnRw8

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out.

Do you know someone who may also be interested in joining our book club? Or just joining us for one session? I encourage you to forward this message along or have them get in touch with me. Anyone and everyone is welcome to attend. 

== Are you interested in joining the book club? Fill out the following form with your contact information: https://forms.gle/QKB9Jg4GAnGBfvN16 (This information will only be used for the book club and will not be shared.) ==

Thanks,
Colby Deitz

Posted in book club, news