A Glow From The Lamp

Set in The Depression, author Ruth Proctor puts forth her personal story of a young farm girl growing up in rural Catawba and Burke counties. The stories of everyday life come through in specified chapters such as “Ironing and Mending,” “Auto Accident,” “Making Butter,” “Baby Calf,” “Church Going,” “Beginning Marriage,” and “Grandchildren.” Interspersed with the author’s detailed memories are real-life nostalgic photos such as the author’s mom in front of an early spring garden. Published by the Catawba County Historical Association in Newton. Softcover, $14.95. Call (828) 465-0383 or visit www.catawbahistory.org

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A Pictorial History: Wilmington

The updated Millennium Edition of this regional bestseller presents 440 photographs and a narrative tracing Wilmington’s lively history and capturing its people, buildings, landscapes and events. The picture book’s new 21st-Century section provides 40 color pictures to document colorful events at this port city such as the city’s first Nautical Festival, the locally filmed television series “Dawson’s Creek,” the Latino Festival, and other modern images. Chapters include rare drawings and pictures from periods starting with the Colonial, moving to Antebellum and Civil War eras, Reconstruction, Turn of the Century, then each decade up to the present. Author and scholar Anne Russell presents informative, detailed captions with the interesting images. Proceeds from the book’s sales will benefit Cape Fear River Watch, a nonprofit group to protect and improve the Lower Cape Fear River Basin with efforts such as cleanups and wetland restorations. Published by Donning Company Publishers in Virginia Beach, Va. Hardcover, 259 pages. $39.95. To purchase the book, send $44.75 per copy to cover tax and shipping to Cape Fear River Watch, 617 Surry St., Wilmington, NC 28401, or call (910) 762-5606. For information about Donning Company Publishers, visit www.donning.com For information about Cape Fear River Watch, visit www.cfrw.us

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“Spooky South”

Southern folklore is kept alive in these retellings of ghostly hauntings, eerie happenings and other strange occurrences in the South. Set in small towns, hard-to-reach islands and sparsely populated backwoods, the creepy stories tell of strange ticking sounds, a woman in black, and witches’ bridles. Retold by folklore expert S.E. Schlosser, story titles include “Uncle Henry and the Dog Ghost,” “The Devil’s Marriage,” “The Witch Woman and the Spinning Wheel” and “Chicky-licky-chow-chow-chow.” “Spooky South: Tales of Hauntings, Strange Happenings and other Local Lore” is published by Globe Pequot Press of Gilford, Conn. Black and white photographs. Softcover, $11.95. Call (800) 962-0973 or visit www.GlobePequot.com

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Guide for hunting ghosts

In this simple but comprehensive manual, Asheville author Joshua Warren introduces readers to the art of ghost hunting. He breaks down theories, explains how to use the tools of the trade, and offers methods to facilitate ghost investigation. In “How To Hunt Ghosts: A Practical Guide,” Warren identifies different types of entities, explains how spirits interact with the living and how to document ghostly activity. He also tells how to set up a research team and clear a location of a ghost. A paranormal expert and author of seven published books, Warren’s work has earned attention from The New York Times, The Discovery Channel, CNN and other television networks. Published by Simon & Schuster. Black and white photographs. Softcover, $12. Call (212) 698-7000 or visit www.simonsays.com

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