By D.G. Martin

Host of  ‘N.C. Bookwatch’

Fred Chappell talks about “A Shadow All of Light” on “North Carolina Bookwatch” today at noon and Thursday at 5 p.m.

Chappell is a former North Carolina poet laureate and retired University of North Carolina at Greensboro professor. His latest book showcases Chappell’s wide-ranging interests, imaginative strengths, storytelling gifts and beautiful descriptive writing skills.

His magical and speculative story requires a reader to suspend disbelief and enjoy Chappell’s rich story set in an Italianate country centuries ago. The plot revolves around a thriving trade in shadows, which are an important, integral part of a person’s being. They can be stolen or given up. When lost, the person is never the same. Chappell weaves princes, pirates, outlaw bands and battle scenes that will keep readers riveted to the page.

Sara Foster talks about “Foster’s Market Favorites: 25th Anniversary” on “Bookwatch” Feb. 19, at noon and Feb. 23 at 5 p.m.

For 25 years, owner Foster has made Foster’s Market in Durham a favorite for food and fellowship. Her new book shares recipes and tells how her market came to be and came to thrive.

Foster’s is the sort of place I wanted for my new book, “North Carolina’s Roadside Eateries: A Traveler’s Guide to Local Restaurants, Diners, and Barbecue Joints.” If I ever get to write a new edition, Foster’s will be in it.

Foster is also a great teacher and communicator, so her new book, like the ones she has written earlier, brings together her traditions of simple and seasonally inspired cooking  and includes recipes for pimiento cheese puffs, pecan sweet potato sticky buns, chicken and black-eyed pea soup, pickle-brined fried chicken with sriracha honey, chile-braised pork shoulder with taco fixings, heirloom and shell bean salad with sherry vinaigrette, dark chocolate buttermilk bread pudding with bourbon hard sauce, and brown sugar apple crisp with crumb topping.