Now accepting nominations for June 2022 Group Reads

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

The Southern Literary Trail is now accepting nominations for books that the group will be reading in June 2022.

We will consider books with a southern literary theme that have not been read by the group in the last 24 months. Per our recently revised criteria, the two categories are books originally published in or before 1990 or those published after 1990. 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:

Books originally published in or before 1990
1. Cool Hand Luke, by Donn Pearce
2. Walking Across Egypt, by Clyde Edgerton
3. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, by Edward Albee
4. The Time It Never Rained, by Elmer Kelton
5. Mules and Men, by Zora Neale Hurston
6. Cold Moon Over Babylon, by Michael McDowell
Books originally published after 1990
1. The Patron Saint of Liars, by Ann Patchett
2. White Doves at Morning, by James Lee Burke
3. Prodigal Summer, by Barbara Kingsolver
4. Bewilderness, by Karen Tucker
5. Take My Hand, by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
6. Long Division, by Kiese Laymon
Nominations for the Post-1990 category are now closed.

FYI: I will be choosing the Moderator’s Choice selection for June. I have decided on Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby. A Black father. A white father. Two murdered sons. A quest for vengeance. Provocative and fast-paced, S. A. Cosby's Razorblade Tears is a story of bloody retribution, heartfelt change - and maybe even redemption.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

Member Sherril made me think why we’ve never read ann patchett. So I’ll recommend https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... for post.

For pre I’ll try Lori’s nomination from the past with Cool Hand Luke.

[Cathrine ☯️]

For post I nominate
White Doves at Morning by James Lee Burke

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Cathrine ☯️ wrote: "For post I nominate
White Doves at Morning by James Lee Burke"

This will be nominated for the Post-1990 group.

[Lori]

I’d like to nominate Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver for post.

[Diane]

For pre I’ll nominate “Walking Across Egypt” by Clyde Edgerton.

[ALLEN]

Have we discussed the NF MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL, a very good movie and a great book set in Savannah, GA?

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

[Diane]

A question—is it acceptable to nominate books that have just come out?

[ALLEN]

How recently?

[Lori]

ALLEN wrote: "Have we discussed the NF MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL, a very good movie and a great book set in Savannah, GA?

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil"

Allen, we just read this a few months ago.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

It is just fine Diane. They of course belong in the post 1990 category.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

Allen, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil has been read twice by the group. The first time was 2013, but most recently in October of 2021.

[ALLEN]

Thanks for the heads-up!

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Diane wrote: "A question—is it acceptable to nominate books that have just come out?"

I'd like to add a caveat to this. A book has recently been released of previously unpublished material by Zora Neale Hurston who passed away well before 1990. If the material could not have been written after 1990, then it would be considered in the Pre-1990 category.

[Diane]

I’d like to nominate for Post “Take My Hand” by Doren Perkins Valdez.

It was released just this week, but is available in all formats including audiobook.

[John-Mark]

Post Nomination
Long Division by Kiese Laymon

[Judi]

For June 2022 Pre-1990 I would like to nominate "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf by Edward Albee. (Side note. I was thrown out of drama class in my senior year of high school for staging this play.)

For June 2022 Post-1990 I would like to nominate, once again, Bewilderness by Karen Tucker. Note: I would nominate The Witching Hour by Anne Rice which was published in 1990 for the Post-1990 category. I truly honor her work. I met her once and she signed my copy of The Witching Hour. I "assume" that this book is not eligible for a Post-1990 nomination as it sits exactly on the "margin" of time. Sigh.

[Terry]

Post 1990: The Time It Never Rained by Elmer Kelton. I assume Texas qualifies.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Terry wrote: "Post 1990: The Time It Never Rained by Elmer Kelton. I assume Texas qualifies."

Texas qualifies, but this was first published in 1973 so it will go into the pre-1990 category.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Judi wrote: "For June 2022 Post-1990 I would like to nominate, once again, Bewilderness by Karen Tucker. Note: I would nominate The Witching Hour by Anne Rice which was published in 1990 for the Post-1990 category. ."

I'll give Bewilderment one more chance to get the votes it needs. As for The Witching Hour, I have already decided that it will be my Moderator's Choice selection for October. FRYI: There is no 'margin' for the categories. A book published in 1990 goes in the Pre-1990 category.

[Judi]

Tom wrote: "Judi wrote: "For June 2022 Post-1990 I would like to nominate, once again, Bewilderness by Karen Tucker. Note: I would nominate The Witching Hour by Anne Rice which was published in 1990 for the Po..."

Thanks Tom. A good choice for October.

[Terry]

Tom, thank you for the confirmation and correction!

[Howard]

Terry wrote: "Tom, thank you for the confirmation and correction!"

Thanks for nominating this book, Terry. Kelton was a Texan and one of the best chroniclers of the American West.

[Terry]

I just read a review of this book, Howard, and it sounds outstanding!

[Howard]

Terry wrote: "I just read a review of this book, Howard, and it sounds outstanding!"

That would have been Ian's review, right? I hope everyone reads his review. I am an Elmer Kelton fan and I like most of what he has written, but I think this one is his best.

[Terry]

Yes, Ian’s review prompted me to nominate this book.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Nominations for the Post-1990 category are now closed. There are still two slots open for the Pre-1990 category.

[Judi]

May I toss out a Pre-1990 nomination for June???? Cold Moon Over Babylon by Michael McDowell.

[Judi]

Kathryn in FL wrote: "How about Mules and Men by Hurston for Pre 1990. It would have tied, if I hadn't forgotten to vote last time."

Love it!!!!!

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Judi, you are limited to one nomination per category and you already nominated 'Who's afraid...'. Having chosen 'Cold Moon Over Babylon' as a moderator's choice several years ago, I'm happy to endorse the nomination but not if you already nominated another book.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Why don't I see the post where Kathryn nominated Of Mules and Men? Does she still want to nominate it?

[Sara]

I will nominate Cold Moon Over Babylon.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

And with that, the nominations are now complete. I'll create polls and voting will begin on May 1st.

Thank you everyone for your nominations.

[Kathryn in FL]

Tom wrote: "Why don't I see the post where Kathryn nominated Of Mules and Men? Does she still want to nominate it?"

Hi Tom,
I had removed it because I'm unsure if I could participate. I'm glad you posted it since I have wanted to read it for quite some time (along with about 5K other books, lol).
Thanks.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Kathryn in FL wrote: "I have wanted to read it for quite some time (along with about 5K other books.."

You and me both, sister.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Greetings all!

Polls

The polls for the June selections are open. Thanks to all of you who nominated and to all of you who participate. There are some excellent nominations on the ballot.

For the Pre-1990 nominations, Vote here!

For the Post-1990 poll, Vote here!

The polls will remain open for ten days and the winners will be announced mid-month.

For the June Moderator’s Choice selection I have chosen Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby. This gritty tale of two ex-cons seeking to avenge the murders of their sons, debuted at No. 10 on the New York Times best-seller list when it was published last year. Cosby’s goal as a crime writer is to advance Black characters that are more nuanced than the commonly seen stereotypes. “There are very few strong Black Southern characters that stand on their own two feet and create their own destiny in crime fiction.”