Rachel Khong’s debut novel is Goodbye, Vitamin (Henry Holt), a humorous and tender meditation about a young woman who returns home after a broken engagement to find her father suffering from Alzhemier’s. From NPR’s review: “Khong’s endearingly quirky novel, which takes the form of Ruth’s diary of her transitional year, is filled with whimsical observations, oddball facts, and yes, even some romance.” The title comes from Ruth’s mother’s new faith in vitamins, and her father’s habit of bidding them adieu before tossing them down the hatch.”

Khong’s fiction and nonfiction have appeared in American Short Fiction, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Believer, among others. She lives in San Francisco.

Australian singer/songwriter Emily Barker’s new album, Sweet Kind of Blue (Everyone Sang) was recorded in Memphis at Sam Phillips Recording Service. The disc was produced by Matt Ross-Spang (Margo Price, Jason Isbell) using the cream of Memphis “sessionerati,” Rick Steff, Dave Smith, Dave Cousar and Steve Potts. Uncut magazine wrote: “…reeks with old-school Southern charm and sweltering funk.”

The Love Sisters are gospel singers who were born in Oxford to Dorothy and William Love. The sisters began singing at their home church in Lafayette County, the Harrisonville M.B. church. They have performed at church functions and gospel events in the North Mississippi region for over 20 years. The group will soon be going into the studio to record their first CD.