I've been reading some wonderful books, part of the New Encyclopedia of Southern Culture. The original encyclopedia, which came out in 1989 was a single, hefty volume; this project will have no less than 24 volumes when completed.

The first four books came out in September: Religion, History, Geography and Manners, Myth and Memory. I am about halfway through the history volume and have finished the other three.

Reading the books just reinforces my understanding of what a rich, complex, sometimes contradictory heritage the South has.

This new multi-volume version is also a lot more user friendly. Bookworm that I am, I would have hated toting an eight-pound, 1,600 page book around (such was the original) on our cruise!

The series is produced by the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi. As always, these books are available through Amazon.com.

And speaking of all things Southern, Greenville's own Melinda Rainey Thompson, author of &#8220SWAG: Southern Women Aging Gracefully,” is planning to hold a book signing here in Greenville at the public library in early November. Melinda just got back from a book tour this weekend, and said in an e-mail the tour experience, while great fun, was not unlike &#8220a wedding or a new baby; glad I did it, but not sure I would want to do it again!”

I'll have more info on that upcoming hometown book signing in the near future.

A book that touches on a very significant part of

Southern culture - college football – is being examined in Dr. Mike Daniel's Great Book Series at LBWCC, starting this Thursday on the Greenville campus.

&#8220Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer” is a terrific book (I just wish the person I loaned it to had returned it, guess they liked it a lot also).

I understand two die-hard fans, Colin MacGuire

Alabama through and through, and Ed Jernigan a die-hard for Auburn, will be discussing their love of the game in the last class meeting. Hope I can sit in on that one!

Last of all, let me remind you of some wonderfully Southern events coming up later this month right here in the city and county.

On Thursday, October 26, a Concert in the Park will be held at 6 p.m. featuring the St. Paul Mass Choir as an official kick-off for the Sweet Gum Bottom Blues Fest.

Come Saturday, October 28, you can head out that morning to Old Time Farm Day to enjoy all sorts of old-fashioned farm activities, from syrup making and quilting to milking and plowing. Check out the vintage farm vehicles, browse among the arts and crafts, watch the kiddies compete in fun farm games, and enjoy the fresh country air.

On Saturday afternoon, head back into downtown Greenville and enjoy all the music, food, crafts – not to mention even more kids' activities and games - at the Sweet Gum Bottom Blues Festival. New this year is a Blues & Que Barbecue Cook-Off, so come on out and cheer on your favorite team of cookers!

And, oh yes - Carson and Barnes Circus is also returning to Greenville for two shows on Friday, October 27.

Who says there's nothing fun going on in Greenville?

Angie Long is Lifestyles reporter for The Greenville Advocate. She can be reached at 382-3111 ext. 132 or via email at angie.long@greenvilleadvocate.com.