FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Page & Palette Bookstore, 32 S. Section St. in Fairhope, is encouraging the community to join together and read in 2008 with the fourth annual “One Town, One Tale” book selection. This year’s choice is Peony in Love, written by critically acclaimed New York Times bestselling author, Lisa See.

See will read and sign the historical novel (new in paperback) on Tuesday, March 11, from 6-8 p.m. at the bookstore.

“Each year we choose a notable book we feel the community as a whole will enjoy reading and discussing together that will ultimately strengthen our ties,” said Karin Wilson, president of Page & Palette. “Of course promoting literacy is of key importance, and we donate copies of the book to area public libraries, so everyone will have access to the selection,” she continued.

Peony in Love is See’s elegant and haunting follow-up to her extraordinarily successful novel, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. In her latest work, See explores the true phenomenon of lovesick maidens: privileged but cloistered Chinese girls who fell under the spell of the romantic opera, “The Peony Pavilion,” and literally wasted away.

The Chinese government actually censored the 1598 opera, believing it to be dangerous, however, it was revolutionary in its time because it depicted a young woman choosing her own path.

Immersed in the richness and magic of the Chinese vision of the afterlife, transcending even death, Peony in Love explores, beautifully, the many manifestations of love. Ultimately See’s novel addresses universal themes:  the bonds of friendship, the power of words and the age-old desire of women to be heard.

Publisher’s Weekly in a Starred Review, comments that Peony in Love is “a coming-of-age story, a ghost story, a family saga and a work of musical and social history … Peony’s vibrant voice, perfectly pitched between the novel’s historical and passionate depths, carries her story beautifully-in life and afterlife.”

See is the author of four novels, and is also the author of the memoir On Gold Mountain. She lives in Los Angeles, Calif.

For more information, contact Page & Palette at (251) 928-5295. The author will exclusively sign all books purchased from Page & Palette.