Erica J. Smith

Erica Smith is a features copy editor. She came to Hampton Roads as a news copy and layout editor for the afternoon Ledger-Star. She's been a slot editor; Pilot copy desk chief; night coordinating editor; editor of The Compass and other sections; senior news copy editor; Distinction copy editor; and books editor.

Literary Notes: A journey of father and son, on a train spanning Siberia

March 27, 2022 at 11:20 a.m.

Three weeks on a train across Siberia — two Americans, 6,000 miles in second class, and most of the travelers drinking. That's adventure, vulnerability and a book. "The Iron Scar:...

An appreciation: columnist Bill Ruehlmann, retiring after four decades

March 20, 2022 at 2:14 p.m.

Books columnist Bill Ruehlmann, a newsroom stalwart for 45 years, is retiring. He's written a farewell piece, here, but I have a few things to add. ___ Dear Bill, You're...

With the wreck of Endurance found, here are books about its icy, perilous expedition

March 10, 2022 at 12:44 p.m.

The discovery of the wrecked Endurance, well preserved almost 10,000 feet down in Antarctica's Weddell Sea, brings that terrible voyage back to mind. Here are a few classics that explore...

Even in Russia, writers and publishers are protesting the invasion of Ukraine

March 7, 2022 at 2:18 a.m.

Among the outraged voices protesting Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine: bookish types, including PEN International and the American Booksellers Association. The ABA promised "to amplify Ukrainian authors and books; offer...

A new book from Socrates Cafe’s founder, and 7 books that help explain Ukraine-Russia

March 3, 2022 at 3:11 p.m.

In the fraught 1990s, Newport News' Christopher Phillips started a movement: He created Socrates Cafe, a group and a model for people to meet and discuss life's big questions respectfully...

Memoir by Mark Esper — a former secretary of defense, Army — is due in May, after Pentagon drops its challenge

February 14, 2022 at 1:01 p.m.

Mark Esper's memoir of his time as Donald Trump's Army secretary and fifth defense secretary — ending in his firing by tweet after the 2020 election — is on for...

Author Jason Reynolds is coming to the Beach to talk about ‘Stamped’ — but seats went ‘within hours’

February 3, 2022 at 6:20 p.m.

You wanted to see Jason Reynolds speak in Virginia Beach on Feb. 18. And so, we see, did everyone else. Of course: He's the bestselling author of several books for...

Great books for a snowed-in weekend: Awards put these titles back in the spotlight

January 27, 2022 at 2:24 p.m.

Looks like snow's coming. To warm hands, heart and mind on these chill days, some great books that have just won top awards: Nathan Harris' "The Sweetness of Water," his...

2 books examine the project to overturn the presidential election, and the risk of civil war

January 24, 2022 at 1:27 p.m.

Two new books look at the project to overturn the 2020 presidential election and whether Jan. 6 — the attack on Congress — was a blip or an omen: "The...

A final tally of the best books of 2021

January 15, 2022 at 11:45 a.m.

For the scorekeepers among us: "The very best of the best books of 2021.? The final tally is based on 63 "votes" from "a variety of highly selective lists, award...

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