December 3, noon. Louisvillian Brad Asher’s vividly titled The Most Hated Man in Kentucky tells the story of General Stephen Burbridge, a Kentuckian who led Union efforts in his home state during the Civil War, only to be attacked and resented by many fellow white citizens when he began the work of emancipation. Free virtual event, via Zoom, hosted by the Kentucky Historical Society.
December 4, noon. Longtime UK Radio Network color analysts Mike Pratt and Tom Leach have taken a generation through the magic of Kentucky basketball. Their book Kentucky Basketball: Two Decades Behind the Scenes features candid and fascinating conversations with Pratt and Leach, including insights into every season from 2002 to 2021. Free event at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lexington.
December 4, 1 pm. Jinny Powers Berten will be signing a plethora of her books, including the historical novel By His Side, which is about George Washington’s valet William Lee; Cincinnati Christmas, filled with stories of the season from Berten’s home city; and books of historical fiction for children, including Littsie and the Underground Railroad and Jake and Sam at the Empty Abbey. Free event at Joseph-Beth Rookwood in Cincinnati.
December 8, 7 pm. Author and former Kentucky poet laureate Gurney Norman and author/illustrator Robert Gipe represent two very different but equally strong ways of portraying Appalachian life. Norman and Gipe will appear together in conversation about Pop: An Illustrated Novel, the closing book of Gipe’s Canard County trilogy, and Norman’s Allegiance, a collection of short stories twenty years in the making. Free event at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lexington.
December 8, 7 pm. Episcopal priest and college chaplain Alice Connor, author of How to Human: An Incomplete Manual for Living in a Messed-Up World, will present her new book Brave: Women of the Bible and Their Stories of Grief, Mercy, Folly, Joy, Sex, and Redemption. A companion to her earlier book Fierce: Women of the Bible and Their Stories of Violence, Mercy, Bravery, Wisdom, Sex, and Salvation, Connor’s Brave discusses such famous Biblical figures as Rachel, Leah, Lydia, Esther, and Miriam. Free event at Joseph-Beth Rookwood in Cincinnati.
December 10, 6 pm. Matthew Barzun has been US ambassador to both Sweden and the United Kingdom, founder of CNET Networks, and national finance chair for Barack Obama . . . so he knows a little something about leadership and organizations. Join him for an illuminating discussion of his new book The Power of Giving Away Power: How the Best Leaders Learn to Let Go. (Hmmm . . . as a born micromanager, I may need to drive up for this one!) Free event at Carmichael’s Bookstore in Louisville.
December 13, 7 pm. Still hankering for more insider info on UK basketball? Look no further; Del Duduit and John Huang will be discussing and signing Kentucky Passion, which was written to provide weekly doses of wisdom, insight, guts, and glory to members of the Big Blue Nation through tales from coaches from Adolph Rupp through John Calipari and standout players including John Wall, Kyle Macy, Goose Givens, and Aaron Harrison. Free event at Joseph-Beth in Lexington.
December 18, 2 pm. Love mystery stories? Love a smooth Kentucky libation? Then Mystery With a Splash of Bourbon will hit the spot! Louisville authors and contributors Susan Bell and Elaine Munsch, along with contributor (and noted author of books on Thoroughbred racing) Milton C. Toby, will be on hand to introduce this collection of “tales with a twist.” Free event at Joseph-Beth in Lexington.