December’s read is Bloodroot: Reflections on Time and Place by Appalachian Women Writers edited by Joyce Dyer. Kirkus reviews said, “A broad sampling of deeply impressive writings–essays, memoirs, poetry, letters, stories by women from the Southern Highlands. If the word Appalachia conjures little more for you than mining disasters and Walker Evans photos, turn these pages and discover the remarkable storytelling tradition that flourished there, and thrives still. Every one of these 35 pieces goes down smooth as a glass of Georgia peach, even when it bites. A few of the names of the contributors will be familiar Nikki Giovanni and Gail Godwin, Jayne Anne Phillips, whose offering is a terrific out-of-time remembrance of her hometown, circa 1962, but most of the women here (all were born in the 20th century) have toiled long and hard, often in obscurity, their love of words keeping the storytelling art alive and high art it is.”