In this periodic feature, we highlight books either about Alabama people or events, or written by Alabama authors. Summaries are not reviews or endorsements. We also occasionally highlight book-related events. Email submissions to [email protected]. Due to the volume of submissions, we are unable to feature all the books we receive.
Untethered
By Angela Jackson-Brown, $15.19 paperback, Harper Muse (Black historical fiction) In the small college town of Troy, Alabama, amid the backdrop of 1967, Katia Daniels lives a life steeped in responsibility. At the Pike County Group Home for Negro Boys, she pours her heart into nurturing the young lives under her care, harboring a longing for children of her own. Katia’s romantic entanglement with an older man brings comfort but also stirs questions about the path she’s chosen. Set against the backdrop of a changing South, the novel delves into the complexities of love, family and self-discovery.
The Price: What it Takes to Win in College Football’s Era of Chaos
By Armen Keteylan and John Talty, $19.99 paperback, Harper (college sports) The authors conducted more than 200 wide-ranging interviews with head coaches, athletic directors, conference commissioners, administrators, politicians, power brokers, agents and media executives for this investigative work. The book reveals dark truths about a beloved game under siege – from Name, Image and Likeness endorsements, the transfer portal, collectives, conference realignment and the powerful influence of media companies.
Alabama Faith: Churches and Stained Glass
by David Graves, $34.95 hardcover (photography) This book features more than 125 photos of stained glass windows from churches of various denominations. Ranging from the early 19th century to the mid-20th century, these windows capture the essence of Alabama’s spiritual heritage and the stories embedded within these sacred spaces. Also included are stories from the churches to provide insight into their cultural and spiritual significance.
The Alabama 100 Best Recipes, Restaurants and Road Trips
By Martie Duncan, $34.95 (Cookbook/travel) The Alabama native, who starred on season eight of Food Network Star, has compiled this book from her travels around the state. It features recipes from restaurants across Alabama plus “road trip tips on where to go and where to eat when you get there.” Visit MartieDuncan.com for a list of retailers or to order a copy.
The Story Quilts of Yvonne Wells
By Stacy I. Morgan and Yvonne Thomas Wells, $60, University of Alabama Press (art/folk art) This book is a definitive guide to the self-taught quilter, who created her first quilt for practical use but was soon hand stitching applique figures into bold, original designs that unleashed her voice as a storyteller. Wells is also a lifelong educator from Tuscaloosa; co-author Morgan is a professor at the University of Alabama.
Leviathan
By Robert McCammon, $29.95 paperback, Lividian Publications (historical suspense) This is the 10th and final installment of best-selling author (and Birmingham native) McCammon’s acclaimed series featuring Matthew Corbett, a brave and resourceful “problem solver.” His latest mystery of a mirror with the power to summon demons from the underworld will prove to be an ultimate test of his wits, cunning and ingenuity, and may be more than even Corbett can handle.
