BOOKS
Performances inspired by tragedy and drama
Hartley Wright writes 10-minute plays, among other things, which are performed by student-run groups in Missouri and Wisconsin. He tends to write plays about tragedy and brokenness people experience in their lives.
November 15, 2012
Q&A with Jamie Pamela Rasmussen
Get to know the author behind The Missouri State Penitentiary: 170 Years Inside the Walls
(Web Exclusive) Jamie Pamela Rasmussen is an adjunct instructor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Missouri State University. After publishing The Missouri State Penitentiary: 170 Years Inside The Walls on Oct. 29, the author discussed the writing process behind the book.
Review: The Missouri State Penitentiary: 170 Years Inside the Walls
Vox reviews the book by Jamie Pamela Rasmussen about the historic state penitentiary
The book chronicles the rich, intriguing and sometimes frightening story of the state penitentiary in Missouri. Author Jamie Pamela Rasmussen uses her combined interests of history and criminology to help the reader step into the cells.
On the Nightstand with Rachel Scheffer
Jaycee Holiday Parade chair shares her favorite reads
When Rachel Scheffer, chair of the Columbia Jaycees Holiday Parade, isn't busy planning the Rockin’ Holidays theme, organizing the line-up and keeping track of float and group entries, she picks up one of these go-to books.
Read This: Silhouettes from Popular Culture
Familair figures and characters are made into Victorian images in Olly Moss' book
(Web Exclusive) Everyone from Voldemort to Disney characters to the cast of Saved By The Bell has a silhouette in Olly Moss' book. With only eight pages with words on them, it's like a grown-up picture book.
Janet Evanovich will be on the new release list twice on Tuesday
(Web Exclusive) Writing in volume is a game and Janet Evanovich is the name. She continues to build her small army of titles with two releases on Tuesday, one of which is Notorious Nineteen. It will be the 19th installment of her popular Stephanie Plum series.
November 08, 2012
Barbara Kingsolver's latest novel about a small-town woman and a mysterious flame
Barbara Kingsolver’s novel questions the power of faith and reason in a small Appalachian town. Main character Dellarobia Turnbow stumbles on a non-consuming flame that leads to a community's upheaval.
Oliver Sacks publishes a science non-fiction page-turner
Get ready for a trip down the proverbial rabbit hole and delve into Oliver Sacks’ new book, Hallucinations. It’s a Wonderland for anyone interested in the intricate workings of the brain. Sacks is a physician and professor of neurology, one of those rare science writers who can convert dense neurological jargon into a nonfiction page-turner
Kevin Doyle switches genres in first novella
Kevin Doyle publishes his first e-book, One Helluva Gig
Kevin Doyle knows fear. He knows exactly what to write to make hair on the back of your neck stand up and your breath get shallower. But for his first published novella, he’s breaking away from his usual genre.
November 01, 2012
Biography on Winston Churchill to be released
Winston Churchill was known for his refusal to give up even when all odds were against him. The same can be said of his three-volume biography, The Last Lion, a series penned (mostly) by William Manchester. The final installation, documenting the famed prime minister’s last 25 years of life, will be released Tuesday.
The Presidential Election: Super Hero Style
How your favorite comic characters would vote
As in conventional literature, the truth in comic books is usually grayer than a night in Gotham City. These superhero serials have had a history of political commentary and debate since World War II. Two Columbia comic experts — Rebecca Vogler, a graduate assistant in Ellis Library’s special collections, and Andrew Kapellusch, a freelance illustrator and Mid-Missouri Comic Collective member — give their take on who our favorite cowl-clad superheroes would vote for this presidential election.
October 25, 2012
Fairy tales from Grimm to glamorous
Folk stories were once gruesomely ever after
Fairy tales have evolved from horrific stories of death and tragedy to wholesome tales with happy endings. Take a look back at different stage of fairy tales, including the popular trend of fracturing tales.
Fractured fairy tales in pop culture
Putting a twist on classic stories
Pop culture finds inspiration in the familiar tales but puts a spin on the stories. In these movies, books and TV shows, the fairy tale origins have been altered to create new stories.
Read This - Celebrate: A Year Of Festivities For Families And Friends
Pippa Middleton's new book has your party tips
Is Pippa Middleton Britain's new Martha wannabe? The almost-royal sister shares hosting advice in her new book, Celebrate: A Year of Festivities for Families and Friends. The book draws from Middleton’s experience at her family’s party supply business and her role as editor of the company’s online magazine, The Party Times.
Book Review -Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story
Schwarzenegger's weighty memoir isn't worth the page count
The Governator’s new memoir, Total Recall, is a hefty timeline of the bodybuilder-turned-actor-turned-politico’s life from start to finish. But even at 646 pages, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s memoir lacks substance.
October 18, 2012
John Grisham's newest legal thriller about a murdered federal judge
In his latest book, John Grisham delves into the suspicious death of a U.S. federal judge and his secretary. The main character, Malcolm Bannister, is behind bars and knows who didn't — but he's not talking.
Man's guide to guide dogs and life
Blind Columbian author's memoir deals with his life and dogs
Peter Altschul was born blind. He shares what he learned from working with guide dogs and life experiences in his memoir, Breaking Barriers.
October 11, 2012
Read this - Journey Man: A World Calling
William Claassen's new memoir is a global experience
William Claassen has traveled the globe to learn more about the world. Journey Man: A World Calling is his way of sharing his endeavors. Each chapter shares a different experience that influenced Claassen’s life.
Columbia authors self-publish their work
Writers pen, publish and publicize on their own
Authors on a local and national scale are frequently choosing to bypass traditional publishing houses. Using websites, private book printers and e-readers, authors can take their manuscripts directly to the public.
Q&A with author William Claassen
Get to know the writer behind Journey Man
(Web Exclusive) William Claassen, the man who hitchhiked his way around the world, reveals more about the journey that inspired his latest book, Journey Man: A World Calling, which was released in August.
Read This: Self-Published Books
Three self-published books penned by Columbia authors
Three Columbia writers pen, publish and publicize their own stories.
