... the bloggers.

Heather Froeschl lives in Franklin County with her two children, three cats and a dog, surrounded by stacks of books. A book geek to the core, she cannot go to sleep without turning a few pages. The new co-editor of the Books page in The Roanoke Times' Sunday editions, not a work day goes by without a tome passing through her hands. Here on The Back Cover, she looks forward to conversing about all things literary.

Nona Nelson loves books, but like most people she has to scramble to find the time to read. Besides co-editing the book page, she stays busy managing the newsroom, writing a blog and a column about pets, and spending time with her husband, daughter, two cats and three dogs. But she has been known to forgo sleep when she is deeply entranced by the latest novel or memoir. She hopes to share her passion for literature with other readers in Roanoke.

... the blog.

Books editors Nona Nelson and Heather Froeschl share book reviews, signings, events and news from the page-turning crowd in the valleys and beyond here at The Back Cover.

The newly revamped and expanded Books page of The Roanoke Times appears on the back cover of the Horizon section every Sunday. You would think with an additional half page we would have plenty of room to talk books. However, we've found that we could never have enough room to discuss literary topics in the printed paper, besides, we want you involved. The Back Cover blog has been formed to be a literary interactive outreach to the community.

As we grow our web content, you'll be able to read reviews of best sellers and favorite classics, local authors and as yet unheard of talent, young adult and children's books. And, we want you to send us your own reviews of books you are reading. We'll share news about the publishing realm, local book clubs, author events, and recommendations from our staff and your neighbors on what might be a good read.

Check out our list of links for websites on children's literature, Oprah's Book Club, and local book reviewers, among others. Jump in on a discussion of graphic novels or Harry Potter and Twilight mania. Ask a question about your favorite author and we will attempt to get you an answer.

Check back often and be sure to see the Books page every Sunday in The Roanoke Times.

... the reviews.

From the keyboards of select Roanoke Times staff and from favorite local reviewers in the community, we offer reviews in three categories (to keep things simple for us). The fiction, non-fiction, and children's categories cover a broad range of genres. Publishers send us advance reading copies so that we can share our thoughts with you as soon as books release. We cover books that have been on the shelves for a time as our readers choose what they wish to explore. And, we'll always share thoughts on the classics of the literary world. Our reviewers hold a vast array of interests and we are not ones to restrict what we will share with our readers here on The Back Cover. You may find a review of Moby Dick here just as easily as you could discover what a reader thinks of the Twilight series. Be sure to use our comment feature too; if you disagree with a reader's take on a tome, respectfully open up a discussion. If you have read a book similar to one reviewed, comment on that too, so that others may find another author to enjoy.

Interested in reviewing a book for The Back Cover? Email us at books@roanoke.com. Reviews should be about 350 words. We look forward to hearing from you.