Author visits to talk about debut novel

Author Eddy Harris will spend part of the day with students at Cape Central High School and the public at the Cape Girardeau Public Library.

Harris' debut novel "Mississippi Solo" was chosen as this year's ReadMOre selection. ReadMOre is a program sponsored by Missouri public libraries, book stores and related organizations that encourages reading. Each year one book is selected for the state to read and discuss and the author of that book makes appearances throughout the state.

"Mississippi Solo" is a memoir and travel narrative combined. It follows Harris as he travels the length of the Mississippi River by himself in a canoe.

Cape Girardeau makes a brief appearance in "Mississippi Solo," as Harris stopped here on his journey. For a while Harris' older brother Tommy decides to join him and it is in Cape Girardeau that Tommy decides the trip is too difficult to continue.

Harris will sign books and give a reading during the 12:30 p.m. visit to the library. Before the reading, light lunch will be served. The lunch is free for current members of the Friends of the Cape Girardeau Library Foundation.

Harris also has visited St. Louis, Hannibal and Jefferson County as part of the ReadMOre program.

ReadMOre project coordinator Kathleen Nigro said Harris' novel was chosen because it "is more than just the story of a man's solo journey down the Mississippi. It is a celebration of everyone's personal triumph."

kalfisi@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182