Many professors write books during the course of their careers. 

However, the books they write aren’t always about what they teach. 

For Wes Berry, associate professor in the English Department, barbecue became the subject of his aptly titled “The Kentucky Barbecue Book.” His reason for doing it is simple.

“I like it,” he said.

The book took him three to four years to write, since he traveled around Kentucky documenting his search for delicious barbecue. It was passion and his love for barbecue sauce that inspired him to write. This is his first book, and he plans to write more.

Other professors have become seasoned pros at publishing. 

Associate professor of English David Bell has written several mystery novels. 

Bell said he grew up in a household that loved and encouraged reading. He has written twelve novels, but only seven have been published thus far. 

Bell said mystery novels appeal to him, as writers should craft what they themselves want to read.

“Everyone should write the kind of story they would love to read,” he said. “I love reading page-turning novels with great characters. Only the reader can determine if my books hit that mark, but that’s what I try to do with my own writing.”

His latest book, “Somebody I Used to Know,” will be released in July.

Associate professor of history Eric Reed recently published a book on the Tour de France, “Selling the Yellow Jersey: The Tour de France in the Modern Era.” He decided to write about the Tour de France not only because he studied abroad in France in college and followed the Tour de France for a month, but because he felt the topic is still relevant today.

“The Tour is living history — founded more than a century ago — and I like that my subject might resonate with people today,” he said.

It took him around three years to write the book. He is planning to write another book, about small cities in the past and how they interacted with globalization to become large cities.