Susan Gregg Gilmore’s novels have been called charming, poignant, and great Southern humor. Gilmore will discuss and sign her books at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb, 10 at Linebaugh Library.

The book signing is offered as part of Linebaugh’s Winter Reading Program and is sponsored by the Friends of Linebaugh Library.

The event is free and open to the public. Copies of Gilmore’s books will be available for purchase.

Gilmore’s first book, Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen, was called a “stand-out coming of age novel” by NPR’s Alan Cheuse and was a Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance 2009 Book Award Nominee.

Catherine Grace has long dreamed of leaving her small town home for the big city of Atlanta. With the help of a family friend, the dream becomes a reality, but before long tragedy brings her back home, leading Catherine to wonder if her place in the world might actually be right where she began.

Her second novel, released last summer, is The Improper Life of Bezellia Grove.

Set in 1960s Nashville, Bezellia Grove tells the story of a young woman from one of the city’s most prominent families. When Bezellia has a clandestine affair with her family’s servant’s son, their romance is met with anger and fear from both families. In a time and place when rebelling against the rules carries a steep price, Bezellia must decide what her true identity is.   

While pursuing a Master of Arts in American Studies, Gilmore asked a favorite professor about pursuing a writing career; he told her she needed to live life first. Since then, she has made hundreds of cupcakes for bake sales, chaired school book fairs, volunteered in inner-city schools, and taught Vacation Bible School, all the while writing for papers including the Los Angeles Times, The Christian Science Monitor, and the Chattanooga News-Free Press.

Born in Nashville, Gilmore now lives in Chattanooga.

The eighth annual Resolve to Read Winter Reading Program runs through Feb. 26. Designed for adults and teenagers, the Winter Reading Program rewards participants for the books they read.

Linebaugh Public Library is located at 105 W. Vine St. in Murfreesboro. For more information, call 615-893-4131 or visit www.linebaugh.org.