Now accepting nominations for June, 2021, Group Reads

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

The Southern Literary Trail is now accepting nominations for books that the group will be reading in June, 2021.

We will consider books with a southern literary theme that have not been read by the group in the last 24 months. As always, there are two categories, books originally published before 1980 or those published in or after 1980. You may make one nomination in each category. Authors may not nominate their own works. Please post your nominations below and specify which category you are nominating it for.

Nominations will stay open for one week or until we receive six nominations in each category. Voting will take place in the first ten days of next month.

The eligible nominations received will be listed below:

Pre-1980 nominations
1, The Stories of Breece D'j Pancake
2. The Year the Lights Came on, by Terry Kay
3. In a Narrow Grave: Essays on Texas, by Larry McMurtry
4. A Long and Happy Life, by Reynolds Price
5. Christy, by Catherine Marshall
6. Child of God, by Cormac McCarthy

Post-1980 nominations
1. Surviving Savannah, by Patti Callahan
2. Call Your Daughter Home, by Deb Spera
3. Film Flam: Essays on Hollywood, by Larry McMurtry
4. The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had, by Kristin Levine
5. Refuge: A Novel, by Dot Jackson
6. Cold Mountain, by Charles Frazier

[John]

For the post-1980 book, I would like to recommend Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan Henry.

[Lori]

For Post 1980 I'd like to nominate The Stories of Breece D'J Pancake by Breece D'J Pancake.

Still on sale for .99 for kindle on Amazon.

[Lynn]

For post 1980, Call Your Daughter Home by Deb Spera published 2019.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

Pre1980

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

[Judi]

I would like to nominate In A Narrow Grave by Larry McMurtry for the Pre 1980 June 2021 group read.
I would like to nominate Film Flam by Larry McMurtry for the Post 1980 group read.

I honor McMurtry's writing and these two books offer some interesting insight in my opinion. Thank you.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Lori wrote: "For Post 1980 I'd like to nominate The Stories of Breece D'J Pancake by Breece D'J Pancake.

Still on sale for .99 for kindle on Amazon."

Since Breece D'J Pancake passed away in 1979, I'm going to tweak the rules a bit and put this book in the pre-1980 category.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

I'm going to insert a comment here that is not a nomination, but may have a bearing on what else is nominated. I have MOD choice for June, and Laura has MOD choice for July. In honor of Larry McMurtry we have decided to combine forces and choose Lonesome Dove as a two month read since it is 900 pages, plus or minus. We both hope you will join us in reading this book, as it is regarded as a modern classic.

[Lori]

Tom wrote: "Lori wrote: "For Post 1980 I'd like to nominate The Stories of Breece D'J Pancake by Breece D'J Pancake.

Still on sale for .99 for kindle on Amazon."

Since [author:Br..."

Tom, I think that is appropriate. His collection was not published in his lifetime. Thank you.

And thanks Diane and Laura for the 2 month mod choice!

[Judi]

Diane wrote: "I'm going to insert a comment here that is not a nomination, but may have a bearing on what else is nominated. I have MOD choice for June, and Laura has MOD choice for July. In honor of Larry McMur..."

Thank you Diane.

[Jane]

I absolutely adore” the Year the Lights came on “: trivia: it used to be on a national English literature programme list for French students here in France well worth a visit or revisit.

[Lawyer, "Moderator Emeritus"]

Diane wrote: "I'm going to insert a comment here that is not a nomination, but may have a bearing on what else is nominated. I have MOD choice for June, and Laura has MOD choice for July. In honor of Larry McMur..."

Absolutely perfect. I have my oppy ready. Thank you!

[Lawyer, "Moderator Emeritus"]

Lori wrote: "Tom wrote: "Lori wrote: "For Post 1980 I'd like to nominate The Stories of Breece D'J Pancake by Breece D'J Pancake.

Still on sale for .99 for kindle on Amazon."

Sinc..."
Many thanks for the bargain tip. Snagged my copy for .99.

[Lori]

I'll start the nominations up again with a post 1980 nomination:

The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had by Kristin Levine.

[Tina]

Pre-1980

Christy by Catherine Marshall
The train taking nineteen-year-old teacher Christy Huddleston from her home in Asheville, North Carolina, might as well be transporting her to another world. The Smoky Mountain community of Cutter Gap feels suspended in time, trapped by poverty, superstitions, and century-old traditions.

But as Christy struggles to find acceptance in her new home, some see her — and her one-room school — as a threat to their way of life. Her faith is challenged and her heart is torn between two strong men with conflicting views about how to care for the families of the Cove.

Yearning to make a difference, will Christy’s determination and devotion be enough? (

[Roy]

I’ve been planning to read Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier for quite a while. Not sure when/if it was last read by the group. My two cents worth...

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

The group read Cold Mountain in March of 2018, so its been 3 years. Consider it nominated.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

Seems we are moving a little slower with nominations so I will add a post 1980

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

[Lori]

That was my other choice, Laura! Looks good!

When do nominations need to be wrapped up?

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

It looks to me like we have 6 nominations for post, so no more in that category, but only 4 nominations for pre, so 2 more there to wrap it up.

[Wyndy]

Pre-1980 Nomination:

Originally published in 1962 and winner of the William Faulkner Foundation Award in 1963:
A Long And Happy Life

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

List updated. One space left in the pre category.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

If there are no other nominations for the pre-1980 category, I will add Child of God, by Cormac McCarthy which should close out the nominations for June.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

The polls are up for the June selections. Thanks to all of you who nominated and to all of you who participate. There are some incredible nominations on the ballot.
For the Pre-1980 nominations, Vote here!

For the Post-1980 poll, Vote here!

The polls will remain open until the 10th.

In addition, the discussion boards are up and ready for your thoughts on the April selections. They can be found here:

For Memorial Drive: A Daughter's Memoir, by Natasha Trethewey, (Moderator’s Choice):
Initial Impressions: Memorial Drive, by Natasha Tretheway- May 2021
Final Impressions: Memorial Drive, by Natasha Tretheway- May 2021

For The Optimist's Daughter, by Eudora Welty, (Pre-1980):
Initial Impressions: The Optimist's Daughter, by Eudora Welty - May 2021
Final Impressions: The Optimist's Daughter, by Eudora Welty - May 2021


For Salvage the Bones, by Jesmyn Ward, (Post-1980):
Initial Impressions: Salvage the Bones, by Jesmyn Ward- May 2021
Final Impressions: Salvage the Bones, by Jesmyn Ward- May 2021


Stay safe.

Happy reading!

Big Daddy Tom