Talk on war resisters

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Rosalie G. Riegle will talk about her new book, "Doing Time for Peace: Resistance, Family And Community," at 7 p.m. Jan. 29 at Taylor Books.

Published by Vanderbilt University Press, "Doing Time For Peace" is a collection of interviews Riegle did with religiously motivated war resisters whose acts of resistance landed them in prison.

She will also sign copies of her book, in which she also interviewed the children and spouses of the resisters. Among those she interviewed are the three activist children of former priest Phil Berrigan, who spent more than 11 years in prison, and the son of Pentagon Papers leaker Daniel Ellsberg.

For additional details of Riegle's appearance at Taylor Books, call 304-342-1461.

Rabel to sign memoir

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Kanawha County native and former television news reporter Ed Rabel will sign copies of his memoir "Ed Rabel Reports: Lies, Wars and Other Misadventures" from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 2 at Bridge Road Bistro.

The book is published by Keith Publications. A hardback edition is $30 and may be purchased at the signing. The book is also available in hardback and paperback on Amazon.com.

Professor writes novel

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia Wesleyan College Professor Jessie van Eerden has had published a debut novel, "Glorybound," about two sisters in West Virginia who struggle to keep their teenage vows of silence and chastity while caring for their mother and dealing with an absent preacher father.

Van Eerden studied nonfiction writing at the University of Iowa during her MFA program. She is assistant professor of English and director of the MFA in creative writing program at West Virginia Wesleyan College.

"Glorybound" was published by and is available through WordFarm. Copies can also be obtained from online book retailers.

Caldecott celebration

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Kanawha County Public Library is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Caldecott Medal with a family program highlighting some of the past winners with stories and art activities.

Awarded annually by the American Library Association, the Caldecott Medal is presented to the artist of the year's most distinguished American picture book for children. The program schedule is:

St. Albans Branch Library, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 5.

Clendenin Branch Library: 3 p.m. Feb. 6.

Elk Valley Branch Library: 6 p.m. Feb. 7.

Main Library: 6:30 p.m. Feb. 12.

Riverside Public Library: 6 p.m. Feb. 21.

Civil War diary

OLD FIELDS, W.Va. -- A Civil War diary from 1855 to 1865 kept by a middle-aged woman living in Hardy County has been printed as a true copy, including spelling and punctuation.

Editors have added pictures, maps and genealogy to "Old Fields in Peace and War: Rebecca Van Meter's Diary 1855-1865."

"There are usually two entries each week, and she generally writes about who visited, illness and treatment of illness, deaths, current events and always items of a farm interest," according to a news release.

When the Civil War erupts, she writes about her neighbor Hanson McNeill and his McNeill's Rangers. Six of her nephews fought for the South. She and her neighbors were often pressed to supply food, grain and horses for both sides.

All profits from sales of the book will go to the Old Fields Church, where many Van Meters are buried.

To order a book, send a check for $40 (includes shipping and tax) to Old Fields in Peace and War, P.O. Box 963, Old Fields, WV 26845. For more information, visit www.rebeccavanmeterdiary.com.