Dragon tales: A Mobile writer's Japanese influences. Tamara Ikenberg | tikenberg@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/Ikenberg/index.html

Finally! Donna Tartt’s new novel has been announced and will hit stores October 22nd. It’s called The Goldfinch and according to the publisher’s website it [continue]...

People have been known to fall in love while riding a Ferris wheel so perhaps it’s fitting that today’s interactive Google doodle honors its inventor, who was born on Valentine’s Day. Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/KKazek/index.html

He was in love with 17-year-old Randi Madderra, who had recently moved to Albertville with her father, J.T. Madderra, who was ringmaster of Orton & Older's Great Southern Circus. Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/KKazek/index.html

Fast-paced, character-driven Christian novel takes on the most painful questions of how a good God allows pain in the world. Kay Campbell | kcampbell@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/klcampbel/index.html

Dynamic text invites readers new to the Bible to explore the often confusing collection of different kinds of writing in the scriptures. Kay Campbell | kcampbell@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/klcampbel/index.html

It’ll be the perfect opportunity for a meeting of the minds and the stomachs: On Saturday, Feb. 23, The Friends of the Emmet O’Neal Library will host a meet-and-greet with New York Times best-selling author and Chef Gabrielle Hamilton. Known for her hit memoir, “Blood, Bones & Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef,” Hamilton will address foodies, amateur and professional chefs beginning at 9 a.m. in the library’s meeting room. Ana Rodriguez | arodriguez@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/arrodriguez/index.html

Author and speaker to be at Evangel Church in Montgomery at 9 and 11 a.m. church services on Feb. 17. Greg Richter | grichter@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/grichter/index.html

Tiara Rowell is ready to recite. Tamara Ikenberg | tikenberg@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/Ikenberg/index.html

Jacque Proctor Reeves of Hampton Cove visited recently to pay her respects to the slave named Fortune, whose oddly marked grave is maintained by the current owners of the property but whose story remains largely a mystery. Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/KKazek/index.html

Steven Spielberg makes a historical error, Kris Humphries slams Kim Kardashian's 'unplanned pregnancy,' more "Girl Meets World" details come to light. We have these stories and more in today's entertainment news round up. Mia Watkins | mwatkins@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/mswatkins1/index.html

The Rev. David Platt, pastor of The Church at Brook Hills and bestselling author of "Radical," has released a new book this week called “Follow Me,” in which he challenges Christians to give their lives to following Christ. Greg Garrison | ggarrison@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/greggarrison/index.html

Lynne Berry, executive director of the Community Foundation of Huntsville/Madison County will present "Charitable Giving with Impact and Tax Advantage" on Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. Pat Ammons | pammons@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/pammons/index.html

Mr. Lewis, civil rights hero, U.S. Congressman from Georgia’s 5th District, and native of Pike County, Alabama, is a born story-teller. He told his story at the Huntsville-Madison County Library on Saturday as part of the Black History Month celebration. Beth Thames http://connect.al.com/user/bthames/index.html

The Birmingham Public Library opened its doors to about 100 authors ranging from children’s stories to historical books as a part of Saturday’s Local Authors Expo at the downtown branch. Mia Watkins | mwatkins@al.com http://connect.al.com/user/mswatkins1/index.html

I think this bookshelf/table by Lema is awesome. It stores books, keeps them close, on display and still keeps the space a useful one. It’s [continue]...