SALISBURY — Summer simply isn’t summer without the Summer Reading Challenge.
Last year’s big hit was an on-stage interview with former Salisburian John Hart about his thriller “Iron House.” Frankly, that’s a tough act to follow, so the challenge has evolved a bit.
The Eighth Summer Reading Challenge will have a new format and new books designed to put readers in touch with new authors and new places.
Once again, the challenge will wrap up with an on-stage interview with a local author. This year, Jenny Hubbard, author of the successful young adult novel, “Paper Covers Rock,” will be in the hot seat.
The book came out in 2011 and has earned acclaim. Although pegged as young adult, it is certainly well-written and appealing to adults.
Hubbard is also a playwright and actress.
But before that, three special presentations will be held over the summer at Trinity Oaks, lead sponsor for the challenge. Mark your calendars for June 28, Aug. 9 and Sept. 27, all beginning at 7 p.m.
The South has produced excellent writers and the favorites focus on what are considered essentially Southern themes — family, community, identity and matters of faith. Selections for the challenge fit the bill.
The other books this summer begin with “The Cove,” by Ron Rash, professor of Appalachian studies at Western Carolina University and author of “Serena.” A conversation about this book takes place at Trinity Oaks on Thursday evening, June 28, at 7 p.m.
The second book, “A Land More Kind than Home,” by first-time novelist Wiley Cash, also has a Southern flavor. Cash, a North Carolina native, is professor of American literature and fiction writing at Bethany College in West Virginia. A discussion on this book will be held on Thursday, Aug. 9, 7 p.m. at Trinity Oaks.
Dr. Forrest Anderson, professor of English at Catawba College, will recap “The Cove” and “A Land More Kind than Home” at the final event, Thursday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m., followed by a presentation on “Paper Covers Rock” by Salisbury’s own Jennifer Hubbard, interviewed by Salisbury Post Book Editor Deirdre Parker Smith. Hubbard’s book was considered one of the best debut novels of 2011.
The Summer Reading Challenge is being facilitated by Barbara Setzer, Diane Hundley of Trinity Oaks, Deirdre Parker Smith of the Salisbury Post and Deal Safrit. All of the discussion events will be hosted by Trinity Oaks in their multimedia room in the main building.
To date, sponsors are: Trinity Oaks Retirement Community, Salisbury Post, Catawba College, Livingstone College, F&M Bank, Jeanne Osborne and Bert Wurster, Dr. Sheila Brownlow and Deal Safrit, and Barbara and David Setzer.
If you would like to be a sponsor at the $100 and above levels, please contact Barbara Setzer at 704-633-5779 or at sgrayhouse@bellsouth.net.