By Deirdre Parker Smith

deirdre.smith@salisburypost.com

SIBA, the group of Southern Independent Booksellers, and Shari Smith have announced that “Lies and Other Acts of Love” is the first selection for the 2017 Trio.

Now a songwriter (many of them have Grammys and CMAs) will write a song and an artist will create a piece based on the book — and the exhibit will travel the South all year.

Harvey says, “This is one of the coolest things ever and I can’t believe I get to be a part! Thanks so much, Trio!”

SIBA also chose “Lies and Other Acts of Love” as a spring 2016 Okra pick. It also chose John Hart’s “Redemption Road.”

Hart’s book is No. 15 on the New York Times fiction bestseller list and No. 16 on the Indie Next list.

In addition, “Redemption Road” is one of Otto Penzler’s five mystery picks for May, Among the others are Robert B. Parker’s “Slow Burn,” written by A.C. Atkins ,who has taken over the Spenser series; along with three classic mysteries, “The Hound of the Baskervilles,” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, “The Daughter of Time,” by Josephine Tey and “A Kiss Before Dying” by Ira Levin.

BookPage, distributed through public libraries, has chosen Hart’s book as one of 10 books lbrarians can’t wait to share with readers in May.

For more on LibraryReads, visit libraryreads.org.

Kim Wright’s “Last Ride to Graceland,” reviewed on this page, is also a spring 2016 Okra pick.

So while we’re talking SIBA, let’s see what else is there — more familiar names. “Miss Julia Lays Down the Law” by Ann. B. Ross and “Lowcountry Boneyard” by Susan Boyer are on the short list for the Beach Music Mystery Prize, given by SIBA. Both Ross and Boyer have spoken in Salisbury. Boyer is a Faith native.

North Carolina’s Ron Rash is up for The Prince of Tides Literary Prize for “Above the Waterfall.” George Singleton, who spoke at 2015’s Rowan Reading Rendezvous, is nominated for the same award for “Calloustown.”

SIBA is a great source of book information in all genres, with picks, reviews and more. You can visit their website at http://www.sibaweb.com/