Book discussion group
Meetings: Last Tuesday of the month, from March through November (no meetings Dec., Jan., Feb.)
Time: Coffee and conversation 2 p.m.; book discussion 2:30 p.m.
For nearly twenty years, Regional Readers have been reading and discussing books with Appalachian or Kentucky themes, or books written by Appalachian or Kentucky authors. From time to time, an author joins us for our discussion.
The book group is open to all and new members are always welcome. We encourage suggestions for the reading lists.
For more information, contact Judith Kidwell at 606.326.1667 or e-mail judith.kidwell@jsfbooks.com.
June 24, 2025 Book ~
Kentucky is My Home: A Journey Into the Life of Jesse Hilton Stuart
The June selection is Kentucky is My Home: A Journey Into the Life of Jesse Hilton Stuart, a collection of never-before-published poetry by Jesse Stuart, compiled and edited by John W. McCauley.
When we meet on Tuesday, June 24, John W. McCauley will give an Author Talk. Coffee and conversation at 2 p.m.; book discussion and Author Talk at 2:30 p.m.
John spent many hours searching through boxes filled with papers and notes, listening to taped interviews, and researching Stuart’s life and work. In his Introduction, John describes his process to review, transcribe, and select Stuart’s works for the book. Edwina Pendarvis writes in her Foreword that this new collection is the first publication of previously unpublished poems in nearly half a century, and that it is not only important for the artfulness and impact of the poetry and as a record of the thoughts and feelings of tone of the natin’s most prolific storytellers, but also as part of literary history. The hardback, 236-page Kentucky is My Home is illustrated with black and white photos of Stuart and his family as well as facsimiles of original handwritten and typewritten documents.
Kentucky is My Home is available to Regional Readers for $20 per copy.
The Regional Readers meet on the last Tuesday of the month from March through November. The book group is open to all and new members are always welcome. We encourage suggestions for the 2025 reading list.