Even in this age of digital publishing and quick hit journalism, I find it impressive when people are able to devote time and energy to writing a book.  It seems like such a daunting task, one which takes a good deal of discipline to pull off.  And yet, when done well, there is no better way to immerse yourself in a big idea or explore new ground than through a compelling novel or work of non-fiction.

So today I think we should celebrate Leigh Jones, our Digital Content Editor at The Daily Report in Atlanta, and co-author of the just published book "Infinite Monster". 

Leigh came to us by way of the Galveston County Daily News in Galveston, TX where, among other things, she covered Hurricane Ike in 2008.  That hurricane is considered to be the third most damaging in modern times, following only Andrew in South Florida and Katrina in New Orleans.  Ike buried the city and island of Galveston and decimated the lives of those living there.  But it turns out that was only the beginning of the story.  As Leigh and her co-author Rhiannon Myers discovered, returning residents not only had to dig their way through layers of debris, but also had to wrestle with a bureaucracy and officials who at times caused as much havoc as the hurricane itself.  Their reporting for the newspaper became the basis for the book.

Leigh and Rhiannon set up a webpage for those wanting more information about Ike and "Infinite Monster":

http://www.infinitemonster.com/ .  

And there's a Facebook fan page here if interested:

http://www.facebook.com/infinitemonster#!/infinitemonster .

Please join me in congratulating published author Leigh Jones on her terrific accomplishment.