Meet Dennis Lehane and all of the writers of St. Petersburg's Evening Reading series

They offer reading suggestions before the free, and very lit, January celebration.

click to enlarge This year's Books Issue has some of the country's best writers talking about their favorite books. - Cathy Salustri
Cathy Salustri
This year's Books Issue has some of the country's best writers talking about their favorite books.

Every year, Creative Loafing's annual Books Issue comes just in time for the holidays. Whether you're looking for the perfect book for the avid reader on your list or maybe looking to treat yourself, this year's issue doesn't disappoint.

We went straight to the experts this year — the writers asked to teach their craft at the Writers in Paradise annual writing conference (and free-for-all Evening Readings series). Our veteran reader (and writer!) Nano Riley talks to WIP co-founder (and really famous Eckerd grad) Dennis Lehane. Debra Dean has some suggestions for books that tickle your funnybone. Les Standiford schools us all on the best Florida crime novels. We learn what Ann Hood read to get her through the dark year after her mother's untimely death. Laura Lippman tells us which personal essay collections she loves. Sterling Watson suggests an old classic — and a new one. And, of course, Poet's Notebook's Peter Meinke writes about writing.

The best part about this year's Books Issue is that you get to hear all of these writers read and speak in January. Here's the info on who's reading when at the Writers in Paradise Evening Reading series. We'll see you there!


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