Chapel Hill author Kate Betterton will discuss her novel "Where the Lake Becomes the River" today on "NC Bookwatch" on UNC-TV.

Betterton's book is about an artist in Mississippi who passes up college to care for her mother, and finds herself taking a chance that lands her in the middle of the Civil Rights movement and in the middle of an unexpected romance.

Betterton won the 2008 Novello Literary Award for "Where the Lake Becomes the River." 

"NC Bookwatch" airs at 5pm on UNC-TV. 

Raleigh author Alexandra Sokoloff will discuss her new thriller "The Unseen" this afternoon on "NC Bookwatch" on UNC-TV

The heroine of Sokoloff's book is a Duke University psych professor who is shaken by a precognitive dream and becomes obsessed with files from the famous Rhine parapsychology experiments, which took place at Duke and attempted to prove the legitimacy of ESP.

Along with another Duke professor and a pair of Duke students, the protagonist moves into an abandoned mansion to replicate the investigation, unaware that the last group of scientists to do so ended up either insane or dead.

John Kessel, acclaimed science fiction author and the co-director of NC State's creative writing program, will appear on "NC Bookwatch" today to discuss his new book, "The Baum Plan for Financial Independence and Other Stories."

The book is a collection of fourteen stories that intersect with "Pride and Prejudice," "Frankenstein," "The Wizard of Oz," and "Flannery O’Connor."

Kessel's stories have won the Nebula, Sturgeon, Locus, and Tiptree Awards. His other books include "Good News from Outer Space," "Corrupting Dr. Nice," and collections "The Pure Product" and "Meeting in Infinity" (a New York Times Notable Book).

"NC Bookwatch" airs today at 5pm on UNC-TV.

For the first time in its 12-year history, UNC-TV's "NC Bookwatch" show will tape onstage in front of a live audience.

The taping will take place this Friday, October 9, at 7pm at Lenoir Rhyne College's PE Monroe Auditorium in Hickory.

The show's host DG Martin will interview acclaimed author Marisha Pessl about her 2006 novel, "Special Topics in Calamity Physics."

The event is free and open to the public, with general admission seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.

"Special Topics in Calamity Physics" was named a New York Times Notable Book of the Year and also received the distinction of being an
Editor's Choice.

Best-selling novelist and Durham native John Hart will appear on "NC Bookwatch" with DG Martin today at 5pm.

Hart's debut book, "King of Lies," was a New York Times Bestseller and he won the 2008 Edgar Award with his next thriller, "Down River."

Hart will discuss those books and his latest work, "The Last Child." The episode will air again on UNC-TV on September 16 at 1:30am, and then several times on September 17 on UNC-NC beginning at 8am. Check UNC-TV's schedule for times.

Michael Davis, the author of a new book about the creation and history of the iconic children's television show, "Sesame Street," will be a guest on "North Carolina Bookwatch" this Sunday.

Davis's book, "Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street," is told with the cooperation of one of the show’s co-founders, Joan Ganz Cooney, and covers not only the show as we saw it broadcast, but the personality conflicts that went on behind the scenes.

Davis tells host DG Martin that the show, which turns 40 years old this year . . .

"Holy Smoke" authors John Shelton Reed and his wife Dale Volberg Reed are the first guests on the 12th season premiere of "North Carolina Bookwatch," Sunday at 5pm on UNC-TV.

The Reeds, who live in Chapel Hill, will discuss their book and what they call "barbeculture" with Bookwatch host DG Martin.  

"Holy Smoke" traces the origins of North Carolina barbecue and examines the bitter rivalry between Eastern and Western style pork. The book also looks at traditional barbecue side dishes, provides recipes, and interviews those who cook 'cue for a living. 

"North Carolina Bookwatch" airs on UNC-TV each Sunday at 5pm.