Book News
Walker’s archive goes to Emory
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alice Walker is placing her literary archive at Emory University’s library in Atlanta.
The author of “The Color of Purple,” “By the Light of My Father’s Smile” and other works visits Emory every couple of years for readings and meetings with faculty members. That relationship was key to her decision to place her archive at the institution, university officials said.
“I can imagine in years to come that my papers and memorabilia, my journals and letters, will find themselves always in the company of people who care about many of the things I do: culture, community, spirituality, scholarship and the blessings of ancestors who want each of us to find joy and happiness in this life, by doing the very best we can to be worthy of it,” Walker said.
“Emory is “a place where my archive can rest with joy in the company it keeps.” The Associated Press
First Lines
The Air Between Us by Deborah Johnson
“The battered 1952 Ford pickup jolted against the curb, bouncing the driver just high enough so you could see the tip of his head, making him look for all the world like a teeny ghost, a lowriding specter. The sight froze the two men — Charlie Symonds and Butter Bob Latham, standing at the coloredsonly emergency-room entrance to Doctors Hospital — stock still. They watched a cloud of dust over the truck as it started bumping its way onto the gravel-rock parking lot. Amazed, the men continued to stare as the pickup emerged from the gritty fog and homed in on the door right behind them. The head did not bob into view again, and for an instant each man thought he’d imagined it. This false comfort did not last long. The truck was there, and it was coming straight for them. Their minds told them to dive for cover and quickly, but their bodies were locked in place, like the gears of a car. Both men thought they were dead for sure.”
BookSense 2007
Books of the Year
Adult Fiction — “Water for Elephants,” by Sara Gruen
Adult Nonfiction — “I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts On Being a Woman,” by Nora Ephron
Children’s Literature — “Inkspell,” by Cornelia Funke
Children’s Illustrated — “Owen and Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship,” by Isabella Hatkoff and Dr. Paul Kahumbu. Photos by Peter Greste
