On Thursday at 7 p.m., the Stanly County Public Library in Albemarle will present an evening of talking about books.

Staff Librarian Melanie Holles will discuss some of the best books published on 2006. The discussion will include bestsellers, notable books, books made into movies, authors who have died and prize-winning books.

There will also be time for the audience to share their best books of the year.

Program attendees will receive a handout of all the books discussed — and more. This program is free and everyone who loves books is invited to attend. If you have questions, call the Albemarle Library at 704-986-3755.

Abbate is Hearst Award finalist

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College English instructor Robert Abbate is a finalist for the distinguished James Hearst Poetry Award given by North American Review literary magazine.

Abbate’s poem, “Tishbite Pottery Fragments,” will be published in the March/April 2007 issue of North American Review, which is the publication’s annual National Poetry Month edition.

Abbate’s full-length poetry collection, “Reed Sweep,” was a finalist for the 2005 Bright Hill Press Poetry Book Award and the 2006 John Ciardi Award from BkMk Press. His poems have also appeared in local literary journals, such as Main Street Rag, Iodine, Sanskrit, Thrift and Kakalak.

Abbate has taught English composition and philosophy at RCCC for five years. He earned a master’s degree in education at the University of San Francisco. He also holds a master’s degree in English composition and rhetoric from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He, his wife, Sue, and their two daughters live in Concord.

The Hearst Poetry Award is named for James Hearst, a North American Review contributing editor and poetry professor at the University of Northern Iowa. He published many poems, stories, articles and books before his death in 1983. His 12 poetry collections include “Country Men,” “The Sun at Noon,” “Man and His Field,” “Limited View,” “Snake in the Strawberries” and the posthumously published “Selected Poems.”

Read-In Chain

The African American Read-In Chain will be held at Reynolda House Museum of American Art on Monday, Feb. 5 at 11 a.m. The public is invited to read their favorite passages by African American writers or to enjoy listening to the selections offered by others.

The 18th annual African American Read-In Chain is a national celebration of Black History Month, an affirmation of African American literacy that is rapidly becoming a traditional part of the month’s activities.

Sponsored by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English and endorsed by the International Reading Association, the Read-In has had participation by more than a million readers of all ethnic groups, from 49 states, the West Indies and African countries.

Following the Read-In, participants are invited to view and discuss the 1941 painting by African American folk artist Horace Pippin (1888-1946), an oil on wood titled The Whipping. This powerful painting is part of the permanent collection at Reynolda House. A video about this artist’s life and career will be shown at Reynolda House on Thursday, March 22 at 11:30 a.m.

Reading materials should be selected from works authored by African Americans, professional or novice writers, contemporary or historical. The event is free. For further information, contact Reynolda House Museum of American Art at 336-758-5150 or visit the Web site at www.reynoldahouse.org.