Book shelf

March Books

FICTION The Great Passion, by James Runcie

In 1727, Stefan Silbermann is a grief-stricken 13 -year-old, str uggling with the death of his mother and his removal to a school in distant L eipzig. Despite his father’s insistence that he tr y not to think of his mother too much, Stefan is haunted by her absence, and to make matters worse, he’s bullied by his new classmates. But when the school ’s cantor, Johann Sebastian Bach, takes notice of his new pupil ’s beautif ul singing voice, Stefan’s life is permanently changed. A meditation on grief and music, The Great Passion is an imaginative tour de force. How Strange a Season, by Megan Mayhew Bergman

With flawless intuition and depth, Bergman presents an unforgettable stor y collection featuring women seek ing self, identit y, independence and control of their circumstances. Each page crack les with life: A recently separated woman fills a huge terrarium with endangered flowers to establish a small world only she can control in an attempt to heal her broken hear t; a competitive swimmer negotiates over which days she will f ulfill her wifely duties, and which days she will keep for herself; a peach farmer wonders if her orchard will sur vive a drought; and, generations of a family in South Carolina str uggle with fidelit y and their cr uel past, some clinging to old ways and others painf ully car ving new paths. Bergman’s provocative prose asks the questions: W hat are we leaving behind for our descendants to hold, and what price will they pay for our mistakes? Sunflowers Beneath the Snow, by Teri M. Brown

W hen Ivanna opens the door to uniformed of ficers, her tranquil life is torn to pieces, leaving behind a broken woman who must learn to endure cold, star vation and the memories of a man who died in the act of betrayal. Using her thrif t, ingenuit y and a bit of luck, she finds a way to sur vive in Soviet Ukraine, along with her daughter, Yevtsye. T he question remains: Will she be strong enough to withstand her daughter’s deceit and the eventual downfall of the nation she has devoted her life to?

NONFICTION

The Other Dr. Gilmer: Two Men, a Murder, and an Unlikely

Fight for Justice, by Benjamin Gilmer

In a powerf ul tr ue stor y expanding on one of the most popular This American Life episodes of all time, a r ural physician learns that a former doctor at his clinic committed a shock ing crime, leading him to uncover an undiagnosed mental health crisis in our broken prison system. W hen family physician Dr. Benjamin Gilmer began work ing at the Cane Creek clinic in r ural Nor th Carolina, he was following in the footsteps of a man with the same last name. His predecessor, Dr. Vince Gilmer, was beloved by his patients and communit y — right up until the shock ing moment when he strangled his ailing father and then returned to the clinic for a reg ular day of work.

Poor Richard's Women: Deborah Read Franklin and the Other

Women Behind the Founding Father, by Nancy Rubin Stuart

In a vivid por trait of the women who loved, nur tured and defended the thrif t y inventor-statesman of the American Revolution, Poor Richard’s Women reveals the long-neglected voices of the women behind Benjamin Frank lin, America’s famous scientist and Founding Father who loved and lost during his lifelong str uggle bet ween passion and pr udence. W hat emerges f rom Stuar t’s pen is a colorf ul and poignant por trait of women in the age of revolution.

CHILDR EN’S BOOKS The Ogress and the Orphans, by Kelly Barnhill It’s dif ficult to be kind in an unkind place, but being a good neighbor means you may have to do the dif ficult thing sometimes. The Newber y Award-winning Barnhill has written another literar y masterpiece destined to become a classic for discerning readers both young and old. (Ages 10 -14.) Pretty Perfect Kitty-Corn, by Shannon Hale True friends are as precious as the last cookie, but as Unicorn finds out, you don’t have to be perfect to be the perfect friend. Hale and illustrator L eUyen Pham have teamed up for another f un, rhyming K itt y- Corn tale that guarantees giggles. (Ages 4-7.) Meet the author and illustrator at The Countr y Bookshop, Wednesday, March 9, at 4 p.m. Snail’s Ark, by Irene Latham Kangaroos, zebras, lions, elephants — we all know they came on the ark two-by-two, but what about the snails? As it turns out, when the weather turns rough and the creek begins to rise, snails stick together. (Ages 3- 6.) A Grandma’s Magic, by Charlotte Offsay W hen a baby is born, a magical thing happens: A grandma is born too, and she is instantly granted so many magical powers. Celebrate grandma magic with this oh-so-cute homage to the one who loves us best in the world. (Ages 3- 6 and 45-98.) Swim, Duck, Swim!, by Jennifer Harney

In the pond, not ever ything always goes as planned. W hen it’s duck No. 3’s turn to swim . . . she improvises. A cute take on being yourself and doing your best, this adorable title is perfect for Easter or any time WONDERFUL 100 young readers are struggling to fit in. (Ages 2-5.) PS

Compil e d b y Kimberly Dani els Taws an d Ang i e Tally.

Shamrock the House!

St. Paddy’s Day Warm-Up Dinner March 12 • 5-7 pm

Pick up your dinner to go or stay for a picnic and enjoy Irish music on our beautiful grounds. Brined corned beef & cabbage, carrots, potatoes, Irish soda bread, and dessert prepared by Broad Street Bakery & Café. Bring your lawn chairs and BYOB. $35 Supporters / $45 General

Reserve your meal by March 7 Sponsored by 4BROTHERS Catering

Arts & Humanities Lecture March 13 • 2 pm

“North Carolina Freedom Park: The Inspiring Story of How a Monument to Freedom is Built While Confederate Statues are Coming Down.” Part 2: Speakers, Reginald Hildebrand & Reginald Hodges $15 Supporters / $20 General

Sponsored by Deirdre Newton

Performing Arts

Live from the Great Room March 9 and April 1 7 pm

Cocktails and entertainment in a vintage setting. March 9: Ryan Keberle & Catharsis. April 1: New-grass duo - Brittany Haas, fiddle, & Joe Walsh, mandolin. A Rooster’s Wife Production $30 Supporters / $35 General

Doors Open at 6:30 • Cash Bar

“Come Sunday” Jazz Brunch March 27 11:30-2

Shana Tucker, and brunch from a local restaurant. Supporters/General $40/$50 - Band & Brunch;

$25/$35 - Music Only Kids 12 & under: $15 Brunch, Free Show Sponsored by Aging Outreach Services and Ward Productions

For tickets and more information, visit weymouthcenter.org

Thank you to our sponsors: Richard J. Reynolds III and Marie M. Reynolds Foundation; Gerald Claude Kirby Trust; NC CARES for Arts and the North Carolina Arts Council; Arts Council of Moore County; The Palmer Foundation; Marion Stedman Covington Foundation; The Cannon Foundation; Donald and Elizabeth Cooke Foundation; The Pilot

WONDERFUL 100

We’re celebrating 100 years of our historic Boyd House, with 100 events in 2022 555 E. Connecticut Ave. Southern Pines, NC

A 501 (c)(3) organization

Get Preapproved Today