There’s a young generation coming up that not only appreciates music, they study to perform music. And many of these student musicians are members of First United Methodist Church in Anniston.

Beth Dial Duke was born in Anniston and lived on the Gulf Coast of Florida for many years. Now, happily located in the scenic mountains of the Talladega National Forest, she lives with her family and 11 loyal chickens, two lovable dogs and a randomly affectionate cat.

In Alafair Burke’s twisty crime thriller “Never Tell,” suspicion is an equal opportunity employer.

It is that “whole wolf” that “Wash,” the powerful first novel by Birmingham-bred Margaret Wrinkle, so determinedly summons up. Its “cluster of pads, tipped with claw points” is a tragic aspect of our country’s history so specifically untenable that it is often difficult to face. But face it Wrinkle does, with a fearlessness and grace that will make readers forgive any of her novel’s slight shortcomings.