Group Bookshelf

[Lawyer, "Moderator Emeritus"]

Evening all,

I invite everyone to check out our Group's Bookshelf. I've been slowly adding works as time allows. I will also be drafting posts regarding Southern Authors periodically. I enjoy this moderating since y'all aren't an unruly bunch....much. grin

As our bookshelf grows, I hope each of you will find your favorites there are discover a new favorite.

Please use this topic to add titles you would like to see added to our bookshelf.

[Richard]

Farewell, I'm Bound to Leave You: Stories...love this book quite immoderately.

God's Little Acre...Erskine Caldwell, just famous enough not to disappear, but not famous enough to eclipse less talented non-Southerners who went to Paris and married more often than he did, while writing about stupid fish and snore-worthy civil wars.

Bride Of Innisfallen & Other Stories...Miss Eudora, the lady writer of the South, like Joan Mitchell was the lady painter of the abstract expressionists. Had she not been a woman, she'd be as famous as Faulkner. Just as much fun to read, too, though in a totally different vein.

The Member of the Wedding...Carson McCullers' arguable masterpiece.

It's 5am and I'm not thinking swiftly, but there are a few noms. Do we now vote on these, or is this a curatorial function of the moderator's position?

[Lawyer, "Moderator Emeritus"]

Richard wrote: "Farewell, I'm Bound to Leave You: Stories...love this book quite immoderately.

God's Little Acre...Erskine Caldwell, just famous enough not to disappear, but not famous..."

Thank you, Richard. These were going to make the bookshelf. Eventually. Laughing. It takes time. And I am willing to donate it. So expect to see these added to the book shelf today.

[Kathleen]

Mike,
Could you please add Rick Bragg's All Over but the Shoutin'. I love it and him.

[Lawyer, "Moderator Emeritus"]

Kathy wrote: "Mike,
Could you please add Rick Bragg's All Over but the Shoutin'. I love it and him."

Done!

[Lawyer, "Moderator Emeritus"]

Everitt wrote: "I'm curious as to whether anyone has read any of the books in the series 'Literary Cities'? A few examples that looked good, were Literary Savannah, [book:Literary New Orleans|892817..."

I'm not familiar with them. BUT! I'm going to investigate. Thanks for a good recommendation.

Lawyer Stevens

[s.penkevich [mental health hiatus]]

Perhaps some Donald Harington? You did sell me on Lightning Bug, and I loved every word of it.

[Lawyer, "Moderator Emeritus"]

s.penkevich wrote: "Perhaps some Donald Harington? You did sell me on Lightning Bug, and I loved every word of it."

S., Coming right up, Sir. Just how much Faulkner DID you give your Sis? *laughing*

Lawyer Stevens

[Lawyer, "Moderator Emeritus"]

Mike wrote: "I'm not certain if anyone has already mentioned this author, but Coleman Dowell is an underread Southern writer who earned a wider readership."

Ah, you've sent me off on another literary exploration. I admit I was not familiar with Dowell. Fascinating life, and yes, apparently widely under rated. I'll be continuing my research. You can expect a bio entry soon. I was especially interested in his life in theatre and his recognition that it was not his metier. Summaries of each of his novels are all intriguing. Thanks so much for the recommendation.

Lawyer Stevens

[Catherine]

Just a question - Have you read Go Tell it on the Mountain in this group yet?

[Lawyer, "Moderator Emeritus"]

No, Catherine, we haven't. We're only in our first read here. However, you can expect James Baldwin to appear on the group bookshelf. Any member may recommend the addition of a book. And I'll see to it that it is added.

Lawyer Stevens

[Catherine]

Mike wrote: "No, Catherine, we haven't. We're only in our first read here..."

Ah, I didn't realise the group was that new. You seem so well organised and thorough.

Thanks!

[Lawyer, "Moderator Emeritus"]

Catherine wrote: "Mike wrote: "No, Catherine, we haven't. We're only in our first read here..."

Ah, I didn't realise the group was that new. You seem so well organised and thorough.

Thanks!"

Catherine, Many thanks. Rumors of my organizational skills and thoroughness have been greatly exaggerated. *laughing*

Mike
Lawyer Stevens

[Jeffrey]

Hey there, Lawyer Stevens, I for some reason thought Raintree County was set in Georgia, but on further investigation I found that it is set in Indiana. I was thinking about this book the other day because of the parallels between the suicides (both via carbon monoxide) of John Kennedy Toole (before publication) and Ross Lockridge Jr (just after publication). I have never read the book and was wondering if you had; even though, it is about a YANKEE.

[Daniel]

The Witching Hour

I don't read so much Anne Rice anymore. My tastes have evolved to where I want more complexity. Besides, Anne Rice has evolved to where her work reflects a religious bias.

But during the 90s she was one of my very favorite authors. Her use of language is exceptional. While it may be more appropriate for a romance novel than horror, this presentation of horror as romantic is really very interesting. I also think that her storyline and character choices showcase a facility with research that you don't ordinarily see in genre fiction.

The Witching Hour may or may not be great art but it is a genre classic set in New Orleans and by a New Orleans writer. Even Wikipedia cites her as a prominent Southern Writer.

[Lawyer, "Moderator Emeritus"]

Daniel wrote: "The Witching Hour

I don't read so much Anne Rice anymore. My tastes have evolved to where I want more complexity. Besides, Anne Rice has evolved to where her work reflects a religi..."

Daniel, I've gotten behind on the bookshelf. But I'll make an effort to put up some early Rice. Ms. Connolly has done an excellent job of adding titles which has been a great help. I'll see about expanding our shelves a bit.

Lawyer Stevens

[Lawyer, "Moderator Emeritus"]

Jeffrey wrote: "Hey there, Lawyer Stevens, I for some reason thought Raintree County was set in Georgia, but on further investigation I found that it is set in Indiana. I was thinking about this book the other da..."

I've had a battered copy of "Raintree County" on my unread shelf for years and years. I've not made it to it yet. I remember the screen presentation which seemed to have a strong southern bent to it. Indiana, eh? I didn't know that.

Mike
Stevens

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

I'm unclear if you want every southern book on the shelf or just the good ones... I have a southern shelf of read books I've been tracking for a while.

[Kathleen]

I agree, the more the merrier. That was we have lots of choices.

[Lawyer, "Moderator Emeritus"]

Jenny wrote: "I'm unclear if you want every southern book on the shelf or just the good ones... I have a southern shelf of read books I've been tracking for a while."

Of course, I'm with Everitt and Kathy. We're always happy to increase the group's library. Your contributions are welcome!

Mike
Lawyer Stevens