Judith Coopey’s novel focuses on 1889 Johnstown flood

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Sarah Chain

"Waterproof" by Judith CoopeyMidtown Scholar Bookstore will play host to local author, historian and genealogist Judith Coopey at
2 p.m. May 26, as she speaks about (and signs copies of) her novel, “Waterproof.” The book is set during the 1889 Johnstown flood. Read an excerpt here.

WITF has selected the novel as its June Book of the Month, and Coopey will also serve as the keynote speaker June 16 during a daylong commemoration of the flood’s history in Harrisburg.

Midtown Scholar Bookstore is at 1302 N. Third St., Harrisburg. The event is free. Visit www.midtownscholar.com or call 717-236-1680 for details.

Posted in Author visit, Book signings, Book stores, Historical fiction, Local author, Local events, Local history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

National Civil War Museum releases book

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Sarah Chain

"Joshua Chamberlain: A Life in Letters" edited by Tom DesjardinThe National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg has released its first book, “Joshua Chamberlain: A Life in Letters.” It is composed of 270 letters, written to and from Civil War Union Gen. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, from the museum’s collections — including an account of the Battle of Fredericksburg.

The book was compiled and edited by Tom Desjardin, who holds a Ph.D. in U.S. History and has written several books on the Civil War with an emphasis on Gettysburg. He also served as the archivist and historian at Gettysburg National Military Park in the ’90s.

Desjardin will sign copies of “Joshua L. Chamberlain” from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 16 at the museum, One Lincoln Circle at Reservoir Park, Harrisburg. For details, visit www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org.

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‘Civil War Voices’ authors to hold book signing

Posted on May 20, 2012 by Sarah Chain

"Civil War Voices from York County, Pa.," by Scott Mingus and James McClureAuthors Scott Mingus and Jim McClure will sign copies of their books, including “Civil War Voices from York County, Pa.,” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 26 at Brown’s Orchards & Farm Market, 8892 Susquehanna Trail South, Springfield Township.

“Civil War Voices” is the official 150th Anniversary Civil War book for York County.

More:
– McClure, Mingus release “Civil War Voices”
– Book will give voice to York County families about Civil War

Posted in Author visit, Book signings, Civil War books, Local author, Local events, Local history, Nonfiction, War | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Series Sunday: ‘A Game of Thrones’

Posted on May 20, 2012 by Caryn Rupert

We’re doing something different this week. I was tweeting constantly while I was reading “A Game of Thrones” by George R.R. Martin, so I used my tweets and turned them into a Storify story. I love Storify. I feel like it measures the buzz around any given topic on the Internet. But this week I used it to log my thoughts about my book. Enjoy!
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Posted in Best-sellers, Book review, Books based on TV shows, Fantasy, Fiction, George R.R. Martin, Literature, Science fiction, Series Sunday | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

York County Libraries helps kids dream big this summer

Posted on May 19, 2012 by Teresa Cook

Shawn Bissett of Springettsbury Township shows off his painted face after a session with Skeeta the Clown last summer at Martin Library. (Submitted photo)

By DEB SULLIVAN
On the Shelves

Eight-year-old Shawn Bissett of Springettsbury Township says it’s kind of like a scavenger hunt.

His advice for success? “Follow the directions, find the clues and you will get there.”

Last summer, one of his favorite parts of the York County Libraries Summer Reading Club/Get Outdoors (GO) York physical activity program was finding the “rubbings” he needed to record in his program guide. The other was having his face painted to look like a pig as he became a character in one of Skeeta the Clown’s “Faces of the World” stories at Martin Library.

Children up to age 18 learned all about the world in 2011.

This year’s theme — “Dream Big, Read! GO and Search the Galaxy!” — will introduce them to everything night, from stars to nocturnal animals to nighttime stories. Kids’ summers can be packed with free activities that promote mental and physical health, as well as family connectivity.

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Posted in For fun, For kids, For parents, Library events, Literacy, Local events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Red Lion grad Greg Pizzoli gets deal for children’s books

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Sarah Chain

Greg PizzoliGreg Pizzoli started off as a boy with a paper delivery route, but he’s come a long way. He recently signed a deal with Disney Hyperion to publish two children’s books in the next two years.

Pizzoli wrote the first book — “The Watermelon Seed” — last summer, and is finishing up the art this week. The book, to be published in the summer of 2013, follows a crocodile who loves watermelon more than anything else, until he swallows a seed.

Next, he’ll start work on the second book, which will be released in the summer of 2014.

Pizzoli had a short stint delivering papers for York Newspaper Company in his early teens. He graduated from Red Lion Area High School in 2001, and still has family in East York. After majoring in English literature at Millersville University, Pizzoli joined AmeriCorp and worked at a community art center in Rhode Island.

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Posted in Book news, Children's books, Coming soon, Fiction, For kids, Local author | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Recently released: ‘Dear Photograph’ by Taylor Jones

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Sarah Chain

"Dear Photograph" by Taylor JonesRead a quick preview of a recently released book by entertainment reporter Erin McCracken:

Photos connect past and present 
The new book “Dear Photograph” matches faces and places of the present with faces and places of the past. About a year ago, author Taylor Jones created the photo blog dearphotograph.com after paging through a family album. He was able to match the lines of old photos to the rooms of the house. The idea became an Internet sensation. Soon, people started snapping photos of themselves holding old photos of a place over its current appearance. The book features more than 200 photos and the stories behind each journey through personal history. 

More:
– Find more entertainment news at FlipSidePA.com.
– Find other recent book releases at Amazon.com.

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York Emporium announces authors for Sci-Fi Saturday

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Sarah Chain

Sci-Fi Saturday at The York EmporiumLovers of the science-fiction genre, mark your calendars for June 16. The York Emporium, 343 W. Market St., York, will host its annual Sci-Fi Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with three authors already confirmed.

Emporium owner Jim Lewin defines the day as “a gathering of fans who come together for some fun and appreciation,” with guests ranging from NASA scientists and award-winning
authors to up-and-comers and local publishers.

“This year,” he promises, “will be no different.”

Here are the three authors already confirmed:
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Posted in Author visit, Book news, Book signings, Book stores, Fantasy, Fiction, Local author, Local events, Science fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chris Crowley to speak at Prime of Life Festival

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Sarah Chain

Chris Crowley will speak at the 16th annual Prime of Life Festival in York PAHead to the York Expo Center at noon May 22 to hear NY Times best-selling author Chris Crowley speak at the Prime of Life Festival. Crowley has written two books on fitness, wellness and aging: “Younger Next Year: A Guide to Living Like 50 Until You’re 80 and Beyond” and “Younger Next Year for Women.”

As the keynote speaker for the Prime of Life Festival, Crowley will focus on advice for living “a full, long and happy life,” according to a press release. The “Younger Next Year” books have sold more than a million copies and have been translated into 20 languages worldwide.

The festival runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and celebrates its 16th year on Tuesday, offering informative seminars, entertainment, and events including the Fun Walk, Pet Show and free bingo. Parking and admission are free. For details, visit primeoflife.org.

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‘One Life’ by Christiaan Barnard and Curtis Bill Pepper

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Teresa Cook

Dr. Christiaan Barnard is the South African surgeon who was the first to successfully transplant a human heart from one person to another.

This book is his autobiography from his youth up through the eventful days surrounding the transplant that made history in 1967.

I happened to pick up this old book and started reading the first page. I was hooked by Barnard’s description of pumping air into the organ his mother played in church.

Barnard grew up very poor, the son of the pastor of a colored church in Beaufort West, South Africa. His mother played the organ in the white church to make extra money because her husband was paid less than the pastor of the white church.
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