ALUMNI NEWS
Bobcat Books
To see more books published by alumni (or friends of the University) or to submit information on your own published book, visit our Alumni Association page.
BOOKS BY ALUMNI
The Reel Life of Zara Kegg
Brad Barkley, Emeriti Faculty
Three years after her mother’s death, 16-year-old Zara is still settling into life in Carolina Beach, NC, where she knows almost no one. Working as the lone projectionist at the Palace Theatre, a rundown movie house that shows only vintage ’50s sci-fi and horror flicks, Zara spends her nights in a dusty booth, fueled by coffee, pushups and the occasional existential crisis (with popcorn). Then she meets Zachary, whose “Z” name feels like fate. His clothes don’t match, his stories don’t always add up and he might be the most interesting person she’s ever met. As their friendship deepens into something more, Zara learns about the struggles Zachary hides beneath his charm and wonders if trust is possible.When her boss tasks her with organizing a Valentine’s Day Godzilla marathon (complete with 150 inflatable Godzillas on the roof) Zara must confront the chaos in her own life. Like any good Godzilla movie, the big question remains: who will survive, and who will be crushed?
Barkley is the author of the novels Money, Love (Norton) and Alison's Automotive Repair Manual (St. Martin's), two collections of short stories and three young adult novels with Penguin: Scrambled Eggs at Midnight, Dream Factory, and Jars of Glass. A native of North Carolina, he lives in Western Maryland with his wife Kristin and their dog, Millie.
Buy it now on Amazon 
Fairy Tales for a New Future
Merryfield Oldsman (Cathy Roberts '77)
In December 2022, author Cathy Roberts dreamed she was in a beautiful, richly decorated library. Red velvet curtains and gold brocade hung from the ceiling. The walls were covered with book shelves. Cathy was drawn to a book on one of the shelves, Fairy Tales for a New Future by Merryfield Oldsman. Waking from the dream, she searched for the book and author online and when she could not find either, she decided to write and publish the book herself.
Cathy believes we live in a rapidly changing world where the old and familiar are falling away and the new has yet to be revealed. Fairy Tales for a New Future offers children and the adults who love them a guide for creating our new future through our connections with nature, our hearts and each other. The children in the fairy tales come to life through their joy, anticipation, excitement, anger and love. Whether the children are singing, dancing, finding their spirit animal, following their hearts or speaking with the trees, they are living into the truth and beauty that surrounds them and that will guide them and all of us into the new world.
Writing with the pseudonym Merryfield Oldsman, Cathy Roberts is a mother of three and grandmother of five. She is a psychotherapist, gardener and writer. She had no idea she would birth a book of fairy tales until a dream called to her and she followed the call. She lives in Frederick, Md.
Need A Lift?
Wayne Wharton '66
This heartwarming autobiography of life, death and a miraculous return to life once again will captivate the attention of readers of all ages. From start to end, the author's vivid recollections and uplifting words of encouragement, sprinkled with occasional touches of humor, will bring joy and exuberance to all. A must read.
Wayne Wharton, a writer who now resides in Richmond, Va., grew up in the coal mining region of the Appalachian mountain range. From a tiny four room shack with no indoor plumbing, he escaped the throes of poverty and went on to graduate from college and become a successful novelist.
Simple. Delicious. And Very French
Lisa Dane '74
Finally! French cuisine made Easy. Simple. Delicious. And Very French brings out your inner Julia Child. Maybe you fell in love with Paris. A sunny morning people-watching at a café, you swooned over butter croissants and café crème for breakfast. Or a crisp salade Niçoise for lunch. Or a warm dish of Pot au Feu in a cozy bistro during a misty evening on the Seine. By happenstance, a talented Parisian chef and an American editor met through an Indianapolis organization, the Association of International Women (now IWI). Yolande Favreau opened the eyes, ears and taste buds as she tutored refresher French to her small conversation group. Her class syllabus expanded to include elements of French culture and cuisine.
Yolande and her husband Jean-Claude eventually moved back to their large, quintessentially Haussmann-style Paris apartment. Her French group members have remained longtime friends. Watching Yolande swiftly and confidently create 4-course dinners and confections in her kitchen, American editor Lisa Dane was impressed and somewhat intimidated. "But no...it is easy!" Yolande asserted as she flew around her kitchen. And so, an idea was born. Could Yolande Favreau create a cookbook of EASY French recipes for the busy American Francophile without enough time, talent or training? A cookbook of recipes, each containing relatively few ingredients, taking minutes (rather than hours) to assemble? Never one to dodge a challenge, Yolande agreed to share some of her chef secrets. Simple. Delicious. And Very French is a cookbook full of recipes that are easy and, most importantly, authentically French.
Parisian Yolande Favreau has classical expertise, cooking and baking scrumptious meals and pastries that delight her family and friends. This cookbook is filled with easy and delectable recipes using just a few ingredients but with plenty of French flair. Who doesn't love a creamy, warm soup on a chilly day? Guests will swoon over Velouté aux Champignons (Creamy Mushroom Soup). The Boeuf Bourguignon (Beef Burgundy) recipe has the same tender deliciousness à la Julie & Julia without spending hours in the kitchen. And desserts have been simplified but not sacrificed in flavor. Sample the Fondant Chocolat Gingembre (Chocolate Ginger Pudding), Choux à la Crème and Éclairs au Chocolat (Cream Puffs and Chocolate Eclairs) and classic Madeleines.
For Boomers who love France and French cuisine, for Millennials who have international tastes but not enough time to cook, for Foodies or people who simply don't like to cook but need a few recipes to impress, Simple. Delicious. And Very French is the go-to source. The easy, step-by-step recipes fit a busy American lifestyle and still provide that certain "je ne sais quoi" élan of classic French cuisine.
Rooted in Human
Kate Sine '17
What does it take to be a human, and why does it hurt to have a soul? Rooted in Human is a collection of characters from the poems and stories who are dealing with different aspects of life. In this book, you will meet Lady Death, a witch, a Scribe, a few mythological beings and just normal people. Where are you rooted?
Kate M. Sine '17 began writing in 2017, and has contributed to the Maryland Bard Poetry Review and the College of Southern Maryland's magazine, Connections. She lives in Cobb Island with her husband and their two cats, Juno and Gus. Rooted in Human is her first book, but not her last. Her other works include 31 Ghosts.
