Father-and-son writing team and team of debaters about writing will be guests of honor for 2013 banquet celebrating the art of literature. Kay Campbell | kcampbell@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/klcampbel/index.html

Keller's "Bouchon Bakery" cookbook is a collaborative effort with pastry chef Sebastien Rouxel. Bob Carlton | bcarlton@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/bcarlton/index.html

While many critics have voiced their issues with Baz Luhrmann's film adaption of the novel, Thompson said he appreciated the director's concentration on showcasing the visual aspect of the tale, rather than attempting to dissect its characters. Amber Sutton | asutton@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/AmberAcker/index.html

The Monrovia-based writer of value-filled novels for young adults has won awards from both readers and publishers' associations for her three historical novels, all inspired by plots from classic fairy tales. Kay Campbell | kcampbell@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/klcampbel/index.html

Sue Freeman asks, "What happens when a 5-foot-1 and shrinking menopausal Southern Jewish homemaker is offered the adventure of a lifetime to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak, with only six weeks notice?" Greg Garrison | ggarrison@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/greggarrison/index.html

A Friday event featuring “Rocket Boys” author Homer Hickam of Huntsville and the winner of a fiction writing contest sponsored by a new regional magazine raised awareness of tourism in the Lookout Mountain region and money for a community kitchen. Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/KKazek/index.html

Why thank God for a bug that destroyed a way of life? A new historical novel connects disaster with God's ability to turn tragedy into triumph. Kay Campbell | kcampbell@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/klcampbel/index.html

Altamont alum creates another extraordinary world filled with odd and colorful souls in "The Kings and Queens of Roam." Bob Carlton | bcarlton@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/bcarlton/index.html

The former wife of NBA star Robert Horry explains how raising a special needs child brought a deeper purpose to her life than she could have imagined. Kay Campbell | kcampbell@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/klcampbel/index.html

Researchers from the Paranormal Association are spending several weeks visiting sites of pivotal battles across the state. Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/KKazek/index.html

Investigators with the Alabama Paranormal Society are touring battlefields statewide to gather material for the upcoming book "Haunted Alabama Battlefields." Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/KKazek/index.html

"Readers are looking for heat, but they don't want porn." Lee Roop | lroop@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/lroop/index.html

Maggie Anton, author of the novel "Rav Hisda's Daughter," will speak Tuesday at noon at Temple Beth-El. She'll be talking about her historical research on the Talmud, Jewish magic and ancient Babylonian Incantation Bowls. Greg Garrison | ggarrison@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/greggarrison/index.html

Glorious geek heaven. Tamara Ikenberg | tikenberg@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/Ikenberg/index.html

Yesterday, Tim O’Reilly announced that, after a seven year run, O’Reilly Media would no longer organize their annual “Tools of Change” conference. Of course, like [continue]...

Before he was a writer, David Brown was a reader. Leada Gore | lgore@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/LeadaGore/index.html

Performing in Tuscaloosa this weekend: Cooter Brown, Ham Bagby, Erik the Red, Jason Miller, Neelay & Phacelift, Mary Tylosaur, DJ Silence and many more. Ben Flanagan | bflanaga@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/bflanagan/index.html

The Homewood Public Library will host an assortment of programs this month sure to satisfy a variety of interests. Attendees can expect talks from author Rosalie Turner, meteorologist James Spann, as well as Medicare and Book Club meetings. Ana Rodriguez | arodriguez@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/arrodriguez/index.html

Disney gets a new princess, Catherine Zeta-Jones seeks mental health treatment and the Beastie Boys to release a biography. Mia Watkins | mwatkins@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/mswatkins1/index.html

Highlands School third grader, Harrison Coleman, recently proved it's never too early to embark on a writing career. Earlier this month, Alabama Public Television recognized the young writer (and illustrator) as the first place winner of the 2013 PBS Kids Go! Young Writers and Illustrators Contest. Ana Rodriguez | arodriguez@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/arrodriguez/index.html