Arts Speak

ARTS SPEAK Show Me ‘MO’ Books!

By Brittany Nay

In honor of Missouri’s bicentennial, a quartet of recently published books highlights the wonders of the 24th U.S. state’s landmarks and history. Explore the Show-Me State with these fun, fascinating new reads. ln

Missouri 365: This Day in State History

From controversial stories to unusual occurrences, writer John W. Brown takes readers through the Show-Me State’s most newsworthy happenings in Missouri 365: This Day in State History. The page-turner features world-changing incidents, like the decision of the only president from Missouri (Harry S. Truman) to drop two atom bombs to end World War II, to historic connections to current events, such as the massive impact of the Spanish flu in 1918 to Missouri’s first reported case of COVID-19 in 2020. Brown, a nationally recognized TV news anchor, public speaker, inventor, writer and radio talk show host, also has written Missouri Legends: Famous People From the Show-Me State, The Ultimate Missouri Trivia Book, 100 Things to Do in Missouri Before You Die and The Missouri Almanac 2018-2019. Missouri 365: This Day in State History is available wherever books are sold, including Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Growing Up St. Louis

The Louisiana Purchase Exposition in 1904. The Great Depression of the 1930s. Mark McGwire’s home run record in 1998. Growing Up St. Louis details the stories that shaped more than 110 metro area locals during the last century. Author Jim Merkel, a St. Louis journalist for three decades, gathered the collection of life-changing tales and nostalgic memories through interviews with both “everyday people” and well-known figures in the metro area, including former Mayor James Conway, retired Washington University in St. Louis Chancellor William Danforth and KSDK sports director Frank Cusumano. Find this new release wherever books are sold.

Missouri Day Trips by Theme

Your next adventuresome road trip starts with a book by Missouri Ozarks native Brian Blair. Missouri Day Trips by Theme showcases the Show-Me State’s most interesting and entertaining places with destinations organized by themes, including caves, hiking, small-town getaways and sports. Get the inside scoop on how to observe a herd of wild bison, tour the boyhood home of Mark Twain, spend an afternoon in “Amish country” or visit George Washington Carver’s farm. This recent release is available wherever books are sold, including Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Katy Trail: A Guided Tour Through History

Let Kathy Schrenk guide you along Missouri’s historic Katy Trail. The local writer and avid hiker/cyclist’s new book, Katy Trail: A Guided Tour Through History, gives outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike insider tips and historical facts about the country’s longest developed rail-trail, which stretches 240 miles across the middle of Missouri. Make the most of your trek, such as the 34-mile section from Defiance to Machens, with Schrenk’s detailed directions, dining recommendations and must-see sights along the way. A portion of proceeds from the guide, which can be found wherever books are sold, benefits Magnificent Missouri, a nonprofit working to conserve the trail.