“Music City's” Literary Scene

Abstract

September–October 2013 • 5 The first time I stepped foot in Nashville, Tennessee’s capital city, I was eager to explore the city’s streets and expose myself to its well-known music culture. I wasn’t disappointed. The architectural juxtaposition is stunning: the tall and rigid edges of skyscrapers contrast with the southern-style buildings—reminiscent of western saloons—that capture so perfectly the image of Nashville. What surprised me, and what many people may not know, is that Nashville has a diverse and amiable literary culture as well. Sometimes referred to as the “Athens of the South,” Nashville’s full-scale replica of the Athenian Parthenon serves as a symbol of the city’s dedication to knowledge and culture. Tourists can go to the popular sites of the city known around America, from the Grand Ole Opry to the Country Music Hall of Fame, but they can also visit Parnassus Books, where Edwidge Danticat read from her new novel in August. And by planning a trip in mid-October, visitors can attend the Southern Festival of Books. One of the first of its kind, the festival brings together readers and writers from all over the country. Nashville also hosts a conference for mystery writers, a film festival, and, of course, plenty of musical festivals. The Nashville Public Library is also worth a visit, both for its vaulted ceilings and architecture as well as its collection. Here readers can find international literature, including many translated titles. Many authors live and thrive in Nashville and have contributed to the evolution of the city as a cultural and artistic hub of America. The city is proud of its local authors, and one bookstore, East Side Story, is dedicated to them. Partnering with a local radio station, the bookstore brings literature and music together by creating a radio show, East Side Storytellin’, which combines book readings, musical performances, and author and musician interviews. So if you’re driving across the US, think of stopping in Nashville. You may initially go for the reputable music scene, for the jazz or gospel or country. But, almost unexpectedly, you’ll want to stay for much more. – Tyler Tennant Tyler Tennant is a WLT intern studying Letters and mathematics at the University of Oklahoma. He enjoys reading ten books at once, writing short stories about neurotic characters, and studying just about everything. notebook Music City’s” Literary Scene photo : jim nix What to Read Between Sets Literary Nashville Patrick Allen, ed. A Deeper Darkness by J. T. Ellison Reasons for and Advantages of Breathing by Lydia Peelle “ City Profile ...