Barbie Bassett Book Signing at Leland Speed Library

Barbie Bassett's new book "Forecasts and Faith: Five Keys to Weathering the Storms of Life"

Barbie Bassett’s new book “Forecasts and Faith: Five Keys to Weathering the Storms of Life” is selling like hotcakes among her many fans in the Magnolia State.

The chief meteorologist at WLBT-TV 3, the Marks native is returning to her alma mater on October 15 for a book signing and lunch at the Leland Speed Library at Mississippi College.

Beginning at noon, the event is one of many attractions for MC’s Homecoming 2010 as thousands of alumni visit the Clinton campus Oct. 14-16. The library program is free and open to the public.

Fans of Barbie’s evening weather reports on WLBT, Facebook friends and loads of MC folks are giving her autobiography good reviews.

On October 15, people will get the opportunity to purchase an autographed copy of the book and chat with the author over sandwiches at the library.  Leland Speed Library patrons are delighted to get the chance to see Barbie close-up and welcome her home, says library director Kathleen Hutchison.

“It’s wonderful,” said circulation associate Hope Smith after reading Bassett’s book. “It was a very good read and was very well written,” she added. “Her Christian testimony was a tremendous witness to me. We can’t wait to see her.”

A 1993 Mississippi College communication graduate with a graduate degree in broadcast meteorology from Mississippi State University, Bassett first joined WLBT, Jackson’s NBC affiliate, in 1999. Bassett is one of a handful of successful women who are chief meteorologists at television stations nationwide. She broke new ground as Mississippi’s first female to serve as a chief meteorologist.

“I’m excited about the book and very, very flattered that people are looking forward to reading it,” Bassett said. “We all go through storms in our lives, and I hope that, in some small way, folks who read my story will find comfort and peace in it.”

MC Communication Department Chairman Cliff Fortenberry says Bassett’s life story offers many valuable lessons to readers. Bassett has also taught communication classes at her alma mater.

The Leland Speed Library keeps two copies of her book, with one reserved in the MC Room, and the other used for check-out purposes.

Copies of the book are being sold for $22.95 plus tax. For more information about Bassett’s autobiography, visit Dogwood Press at www.dogwoodpress.com.