NC's Shifting Islands

The North Carolina Outer Banks has a new island!  The newly formed "Shelly Island" is located only a few hundred feet away from Hatteras Island.   NASA satellites have even captured images of the growing island from space!  However, the island is not easily accessible in low tide.  In fact, so many rescues have been made for people trying to access this new island on foot that warnings have been issued.   If you want to visit this island, please use a boat.

Hurricanes and fierce storms cause changes frequently.  The islands are always shifting and moving.  If curious as to reasons why, then please consider "The North Carolina Shore and Its Barrier Islands" by Orrin H. Pilkey, an author, scientist, and professor at Duke University.  NC Highway 12, which connects the islands that constitute the Outer Banks, has also been affected by this changing region.  The history behind this scenic highway can be found in the aptly titled "NC 12: Gateway to the Outer Banks", by Dawson Carr, a retired educator.

Interested in learning more?  Then please check out these titles and more to learn all about NC's Outer Banks.  Happy reading (and sightseeing)!

 

https://www.amazon.com/North-Carolina-Shore-Barrier-Islands/dp/0822322242/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1500569805&sr=1-1&keywords=pilkey+north+carolina+shore

https://www.amazon.com/NC-12-Gateway-Outer-Banks/dp/1469628147/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1500570051&sr=1-1&keywords=carr+nc+12

Cary Magazine Mention!

Greetings! Cary Magazine has published an article about us! They specifically focused on our free literary tours on page 18 of its July issue. Our very own Keith Gorman and Kathelene McCarty Smith were interviewed. How cool is that?

 

https://issuu.com/carymagazine/docs/carymagazinejuly2017

http://library.uncg.edu/dp/nclitmap/tours/details/Greensboro/OHenry/index.aspx

http://library.uncg.edu/dp/nclitmap/tours/details/Jarrell/index.aspx

NC Hidden Treasures

Want to discover something new about North Carolina?  Whether you are a native or fairly new to this state, NC has many hidden treasures waiting to be discovered from the mountains in the west to the beaches in the east.  Since it is summertime, what better time to get out and start traveling?

The NC Literary Map has two great books to help you out!  Prolific writer and photographer Kevin Adams describes several short, scenic adventures to various attractions in his aptly titled "Backroads of North Carolina".  What if you get hungry while out on a country drive and do not know where to eat?  Regular newspaper columnist and UNC-TV's "North Carolina Bookwatch" host D.G. Martin has written the perfect solution in "North Carolina's Roadside Eateries".  This book highlights dozens of local restaurants for just about any type of food craving.

Interested in learning more?  Then please check out these books at your local library or bookstore!  Happy reading (and exploring new places)!

 

https://www.amazon.com/Backroads-North-Carolina-Weekend-Getaways/dp/0760325928/ref=pd_sim_14_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0760325928&pd_rd_r=SS4RQ3Z15V43D0ZG7GWK&pd_rd_w=nhQNv&pd_rd_wg=45q5f&psc=1&refRID=SS4RQ3Z15V43D0ZG7GWK

https://www.amazon.com/North-Carolinas-Roadside-Eateries-Restaurants/dp/1469630141/ref=pd_bxgy_14_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1469630141&pd_rd_r=7EWWMSK2QHYED4TCA8BE&pd_rd_w=FeNCc&pd_rd_wg=iFE8r&psc=1&refRID=7EWWMSK2QHYED4TCA8BE

Summer Writing Workshops

This summer, the North Carolina Writers' Network is hosting the 2017 Squire Summer Writing Workshops at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC!  The intensive workshops, divided by genre, run from July 13 through 16.  Joseph Bathanti, former NC Poet Laureate, will lead the poetry courses.  Sheryl Monks, an accomplished author, will lead the fiction section.  Eric G. Wilson, an English professor and prolific author, will lead the creative nonfiction workshop.  For more information, please visit this website.  Registration is limited and ends June 28 so hurry and sign up now if you are interested in attending!

http://ncwriters.org/programs-and-services/conferences/8664-sw17

Happy Birthday Andy Griffith!

On this date in 1926, Andy Griffith was born in Mount Airy, NC.  He was a successful actor, television producer, Southern gospel singer, and writer.  Griffith is best known for being the lead actor in two series, "The Andy Griffith Show", 1960-1968, and "Matlock", 1986-1995.  Though Griffith died in 2012 of a heart attack, his legacy lives on through his wonderful shows and acting.

In "I Appreciate It", author Jim Clark collaborated with Andy Griffith to write a memoir on his life and career.  In "Mayberry 101", Neal Brower gives a review and behind-the-scenes look at dozens of episodes in "The Andy Griffith Show".

Interested in learning more?  Then please check out these books at your local library or bookstore!  Better yet, why not watch an episode or two of "The Andy Griffith Show" or "Matlock" on television today?  Either way, I guarantee you will not regret it!  Happy reading (and watching)!

https://www.amazon.ca/I-Appreciate-Life-Andy-Griffith/dp/1401600999

https://www.amazon.com/Mayberry-101-Behind-Scenes-Classic/dp/0895872188

NC Waterfalls

Did you know that North Carolina is home to hundreds of breathtaking waterfalls?  Have you ever wondered where these waterfalls are?  Perhaps you are looking for some "new" ones?  If so, then the NC Literary Map has quite the list for you!

Naturalist, photographer, and writer Kevin Adams describes the locations of hundreds of waterfalls in the third edition of his aptly titled "North Carolina Waterfalls".  Firefighter, hiker, and writer Melissa Watson focuses on scenic and easily accessible hikes to well over a hundred waterfalls in "Hiking Waterfalls in North Carolina", which is also part of the "Falcon Guide" series.  Both books include color photographs, directions, and more.  They focus on waterfalls both big and small across our state, in parks, national forests, and many other places.

Interested in learning more?  Then check out these books at your local library or bookstore!  Happy reading!  Enjoy NC's abundance of waterfalls!

https://www.amazon.com/North-Carolina-Waterfalls-Kevin-Adams/dp/0895876531/ref=pd_cp_14_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0895876531&pd_rd_r=0HTK61K9N95XK61DGNVC&pd_rd_w=hJ7Nm&pd_rd_wg=GG8y0&psc=1&refRID=0HTK61K9N95XK61DGNVC

https://www.amazon.com/Hiking-Waterfalls-North-Carolina-Waterfall/dp/076277150X/ref=pd_sim_14_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=076277150X&pd_rd_r=Y61SAZ8D63XW2NYHZ9GT&pd_rd_w=Z6DQD&pd_rd_wg=HpjnE&psc=1&refRID=Y61SAZ8D63XW2NYHZ9GT

NC Wildflowers

Have you ever been on a hike and wondered what was the name of that pretty flower on the side of the trail?  Do you enjoy going on wildflower hikes in the spring?  If so, then the North Carolina Literary Map has quite the list for you!

Botanist, writer, and professor Timothy Spira focuses on the western part of NC with the aptly titled "Wildflowers and Plant Communities of the Southern Appalachian Mountains and Piedmont".  Experienced botanist and writer Bruce Sorrie focuses on the eastern part of NC with "A Field Guide to Wildflowers of the Sandhills Region".  Both books are part of the "Southern Gateways Guide" series and are highly-acclaimed.  They contain color photo keys.  The various plants described therein are organized into different ecological communities.

Interested in learning more?  Then check out these books at your local library or bookstore!  Happy reading!  Enjoy your wildflower hikes!

 

https://www.amazon.com/Wildflowers-Communities-Southern-Appalachian-Mountains/dp/0807871729/ref=pd_sim_14_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0807871729&pd_rd_r=QVMTBCKWJYD8RD43YTCZ&pd_rd_w=b98q3&pd_rd_wg=FkeUk&psc=1&refRID=QVMTBCKWJYD8RD43YTCZ

https://www.amazon.com/Field-Guide-Wildflowers-Sandhills-Region/dp/0807871869