Ann Patchett

ReadDavidson has picked Ann Patchett’s novel “State of Wonder” as this year’s townwide reading book. The program begins Friday with a live internet video chat with Ms. Patchett, and includes a variety of other events in the coming weeks.

Friday’s live webcast is open to the public at 1 p.m.,  at Community School of Davidson High School, 404 Armour St. in Davidson. Also there will be several high school English classes. Read the full story

Ralph Levering and Jan Blodgett offer a wider-than-ever view of Davidson's history in "One Town, Many Voices." (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

One Town, Many Voices: A History of Davidson, North Carolina; By Jan Blodgett & Ralph B. Levering; Davidson Historical Society, 2012; ISBN: 978-0-615-58311-2; price: $29.95

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Davidson College and the Town of Davidson trace their origins to 1837, when a group of Presbyterians paid William Lee Davidson $1,500 for 469 acres of wooded land along the road between Charlotte and Statesville. In the 175 years since, Davidson has evolved into a unique place with a story to tell, a story about citizens committed to making our town a better place.

It has been more three decades since anyone tried to tell that story in a book, and so much has changed – not only the place, but our way of looking at it. This year, as the college and the town celebrate 175th anniversaries, authors Jan Blodgett and Ralph B. Levering have updated that history with a new volume titled “One Town Many Voices: A History of Davidson, North Carolina.” Read the full story

"The Help" is this year's ReadDavidson townwide reading book.

ReadDavidson’s 2011 townwide reading series continues in the coming weeks with a series of events related to this year’s book, “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett. The events include a bake-off at the Davidson Farmer’s Market this Saturday, Aug. 27, where residents are invited to bake a dish from the book. Read the full story

Wendy K. Perriman signed copies of "Fire on Dark Water." (Rachel Goldstein/DavidsonNews.net)

Pirates swarmed the outdoor “deck” at Davidson’s Brickhouse Tavern Tuesday night for an unusual part that helped Mooresville author Wendy K. Perriman celebrate the publication of her debut novel, “Fire on Dark Water.” Read the full story

Davidson’s Main Street Books is among a group of 18 local bookstores that are joining forces next month to help raise a bit of badly needed cash for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. The stores will contribute a portion of profits from sales Aug. 4-8.

Main Street Books, at 126 S. Main St., will participate in what library officials are calling a “book fair” between Aug. 6 and 8. Read the full story