The arts are doing much to unite family and friends in Mississippi as this story shows.

For Dana Hampton of Pearl, Mississippi, books have always been a part of her life. Now 36, the single mother finds that her daughter Kaylyn Mangold,16, have found something they can do together---and it is bringing them closer together as well.

The two ladies have become regulars at new events in Rankin County that are geared at promoting the arts, namely books and spoken word. Both are members of the Subway Conversations Book Club (3000 HWY 80E) in Pearl, MS as well as regulars at the spoken word night held there every Saturday evening.

"It is a great way to express yourself freely," says Hampton. "You don't have to be shy at the events because you're among friends."

When Dana first heard there was a book club that met in Pearl, her first thought was why she hadn't joined a book club sooner! "I like the fact that I can discuss a book in great detail and offer our own thoughts on what we thought about it. It is great for all of us to have read the same book and get different opinions and ideas from it."

So far her first book that the group discussed ("Sins of the Father" by Felicia Madlock") has been her favorite thus far. Why? "It is so realistic. And I feel like it is written about something we can all relate to."

The first book that Ms. Hampton read that still is in her mind is a classic: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.

And how did her daughter get involved in the equation? "Kaylyn loves to read and write just as much as I do," Dana explained. "It's important for me at this point in her life for us to do all we can together and it will have a lifetime effect on her to know that I was supportive something that she enjoyed. As a teen there is so much more she can be doing, and she wants to read and write!"

Reading has also brought Dana and her best friend Kim Luke (also of Pearl) closer. Kim,29, and her nine year old son, Eric Bruster, have become regulars at the book club meetings and on Saturday, July 28 he became the young poet to take to the microphone for Spoken Word night!

Luke says that meeting author C. J. Domino during her tour of Mississippi encouraged her to read her book (SIDELINE HO) and now she is already 10 chapters into C-Murder's book DEATH AROUND THE CORNER.

The four of them have also begun traveling to Jackson, MS to attend other literary events, including the release of the 7th and final Harry Potter book at the Metrocenter Mall on Friday, July 20, 2007.

For more details about the book club and spoken word events in Pearl, call Subway Restaurant at 601.936.4803 or visit http://subwayconversations.blogspot.com.