North Carolina Bookwatch 2016 | UNC-TV

Author & professor Margaret Bauer's latest book looks at the impact of one of literature's strongest female characters – Scarlett O'Hara. Dr. Bauer looks at both the literary & the cinematic portrayals of the Southern belle & from those profiles she goes on to look at how the iconic character compares to similar heroines of literature.

Author & professor Robert Morgan's latest book is set during the Civil War. “Chasing The North Star” tells the story of a runaway slave, his struggle for freedom, & free-spirited slave girl who sets out to follow him in search of her own freedom. The spellbinding story of two teenage runaways in a terrifying time & place draws the reader in as it brings that world into sharp focus.

Author & retired General Daniel Bolger served in both Iraq & Afghanistan, where he commanded troops & participated in meetings with both top-level military & civilian players. General Bolger uses his unique perspective to assess these wars, from 9/11 to the final withdraw from the region, & what we have learned from the experiences.

Journalist & author Pam Saulsby's new book gently introduces young readers to the process military families experience on the return of a loved one from deployment. Through her feisty but fun main character, Ms. Saulsby helps families understand the situation returning servicemen & women may be in, & how their families – both adults & children alike – can prepare to welcome their loved one home.

Author Randy Johnson has written at length about the iconic Grandfather Mountain. In this definitive book, Mr. Johnson takes readers on a tour of the landmark mountain's history from its geological beginnings to its eventual establishment as a state park. Through photos & stories, Mr. Johnson shows how Grandfather has changed & been changed by the people of Western North Carolina & beyond.

The Asheville restaurant 12 Bones Smokehouse is a local institution whose creative barbecue is so popular that even President Obama eats there when he's in the area. Head Chef Shane Heavner shares the story of Mr. Obama's first visit to the restaurant, while he was still on the campaign trail, & talks about the experience of cooking for a president.

Author Patricia Bell-Scott's latest book tells the story of the brilliant writer-turned-activist, Pauli Murray, & her long friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt – a friendship that changed both of their lives. Ms. Bell-Scott draws on letters, journals, diaries, & other sources to present this close-up portrait of a friendship that helped alter the course of race, racism, & social justice in America.

Author John Hart's latest book is a thriller about a town on the edge. Weaving together the stories of a young boy, a troubled detective, a good cop, & an abandoned church deep in the woods, Redemption Road is a gripping thriller that keeps readers on edge from the very beginning.

Author John Hart's latest book is a thriller about a town on the edge. Weaving together the stories of a young boy, a troubled detective, a good cop, & an abandoned church deep in the woods, Redemption Road is a gripping thriller that keeps readers on edge from the very beginning.

Author John Hood presents the biography of former governor Jim Martin & shows how he helped shape public life in NC. Through interviews with top politicians & Governor Martin himself, Mr. Hood shares how the governor was a catalyst for fundamental change in North Carolina.

Author John Hart's latest book is a thriller about a town on the edge. Weaving together the stories of a young boy, a troubled detective, a good cop, & an abandoned church deep in the woods, Redemption Road is a gripping thriller that keeps readers on edge from the very beginning.

Bland Simpson's poetic & lyrical writing shares the stories of Eastern NC rivers & waterways & how they shape the region's geography & culture. The tales are complemented by the stunning photographs by Ann Cary Simpson. Little Rivers & Waterway Tales draws on the Simpsons' deep family ties & coastal travels as it documents eastern North Carolina's particular beauty & unique way of life.

Barbecue devotee John Shelton Reed's latest book picks up where his last one left off – sort of! Having done a comprehensive history of our state's "barbeculture" in Holy Smoke, Mr. Reed now takes us into the kitchen & shares a smorgasboard of recipes for Carolina 'cue & several of its famous side dishes & desserts.

Author Scott Ellsworth's newest book focuses on our state's favorite sport, basketball, & a long-buried moment in US sporting history. The Secret Game tells the story of Coach John McLendon at the NC College for Negroes, who led his team to become the highest-scoring college team in the US, the all-white military team at Duke medical school, & a match-up for the ages.

Author Bridgette Lacy talks about the traditional “Sunday Dinner” - how it is very like many families' large holiday dinner traditions, & what recipes she would apply to such a meal.

Author Lee Smith's latest book is a collection of short works that combine to tell the story of her own history growing up in Virginia where her father ran a dime store. It was in that little shop, listening to the customers & inventing histories for the dolls on sale in the store, that Ms. Smith began to learn the craft of storytelling.

Margaret Maron's latest book is the last to feature her popular character, Judge Deborah Knott. Long Upon The Land sees the judge dealing with a murder on her father's property (which is being investigated by her husband in his role as Sheriff's Deputy) & the mystery of a cigarette lighter that once belonged to her mother. DG Martin talked with her at the Bouchercon mystery writers convention.

Dr. Damon Tweedy writes about his own experiences with racism & segregation within the medical field; & how his own health also shaped his training & work in medicine. Black Man in a White Coat looks at the complex social, cultural, & economic factors at the root of most health problems within the black community, & also explores the challenges facing black doctors aiming to provide better care.

Raleigh Author Sarah Shaber was the local guest of honor at Bouchercon 2015, the 46th annual mystery writers convention, held recently in NC. DG Martin sat down with her there to talk about latest book in her Louise Pearlie WWII Mysteries series, Louise's Chance.

Author, professor, & historian Dr. William Leuchtenburg's latest book is the only comprehensive history of the United States presidency in the twentieth century from Theodore Roosevelt to Bill Clinton. Dr. Leuchtenburg chronicles each president's unique contributions to running the executive office.

Author, professor, & historian Dr. William Leuchtenburg's latest book is the only comprehensive history of the United States presidency in the twentieth century from Theodore Roosevelt to Bill Clinton. Dr. Leuchtenburg chronicles each president's unique contributions to running the executive office.

Author Kathy Reichs' latest book is the 18th in her Temperance Brennan series, which is the basis for the popular TV show Bones. Savvy readers know that the written storyline differs dramatically from the TV series. DG Martin caught up with Dr. Reichs at the annual Bouchercon mystery writers convention (held in Raleigh this year) to talk about Speaking In Bones.