Book Notes

Jason Wright returns with his latest novel

New York Times bestselling author Jason F. Wright will be at Barnes and Noble at 7 p.m. Friday to sign copies of his new book, “Recovering Charles.”

In “Recovering Charles, Wright proves that it often takes a catastrophe for people to gain perspective on the truly important things in life.

Born in Charlottesville, Wright lives in Woodstock, with his wife and four children.

Slovenia poet reads at UVa Bookstore

Slovenian poet Tomaz Salamun and translator poet Brian Henry will be at the University of Virginia Bookstore at 8 p.m. Thursday for a reading.

In other UVa-related events, the MFA reading series continues with David Clark and Aja Gabel reading from their work at 8 p.m. at the Tea House on the Downtown Mall.

For more information, call 924-6675.

Library will host two book clubs this week

The Jefferson-Madison Regional Library will host a pair of book groups this week.

The Monday Evening Book Club will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at the Crozet Library to discuss “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” by Truman Capote.

At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Wednesday Night Book Group will meet at Gordon Avenue Library to discuss “The Maytrees” by Annie Dillard.

For more information about either event, call 979-7151 Ext. 211.

Beamer books help young children

Virginia Tech footall coach Frank Beamer recently formed Herma’s Readers in honor of his mother, Herma, a life-long teacher. Herma’s Readers is a non-profit organization designed to introduce the power of reading to youngsters in grades K-3.

Walmart stores in Southwestern Virginia will serve as collection sites for Herma’s Readers. Customers may donate children’s books at the store by placing them in a collection bin next to a life-size cut out of Coach Beamer.

In addition, Walmart will partner with Coca-Cola to donate 100 books for every touchdown Virginia Tech scores this season.

For more information, visit www. hermas

readers.com

‘Marley and Me’ author

is working on prequel

“Marley and Me” author John Grogan is working on a prequel to the million-selling memoir about his dog.

“The Longest Trip Home” will be released in October by William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins, the publisher said in a statement Tuesday.

“It is the powerful, often hilarious story of a son in the making, and of growing up in a loving, but comically old-school Catholic family,” said the statement issued by Morrow. “From his troublemaking childhood to his courtship of a fiery blonde named Jenny, Grogan writes about how he came to terms with who he is and what he believes.”

“Even before ‘Marley & Me’ was published, I knew this was the story I wanted to tell next,” Grogan, 51, said in a statement.

From staff and wire reports