On the Southern Literary Trail discussion
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General Bookishness
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Retired: What are you reading?
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Diane, you are an endless supply of knowledge!
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Mary Ingles is an inspiration of the possibilities of endurance of the human spirit. Victim of a brutal Shawnee attack in the summer of 1755 she is force marched from Virginia to Shawnee, Ohio while nine months pregnant giving birth on the trail. She is sold into slavery and taken to the area near Big Bone Lick State Park in Kentucky. Together with an old Dutch woman she escapes and begins a 1,000 mile trek home through unknown and hostile wilderness.
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These all sound good , where to start though ;)
Off the top of my head, I remember reading a series of books set in Albemarle County by Inglis Fletcher when I was in HS, half set during Colonial times, the rest during the Revolutionary War. I also read Elswyth Thane's Williamsburg novels, first was set during Revolutionary War, second was Civil War, etc. I am sure more will come to mind once I set my mind on autopilot and let the brain do its work in the background.
Thank you Kim ,all of this I will look up
I enjoyed the thriller featuring an ex-Marine with PTSD,The Drifter by Nicholas Petrie
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I've finished Vinegar Girl. 3 stars . My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show.... This is a retelling of the Taming of the Shrew. This was an entertaining read but the retelling of Shakespeare just didn't work for me .
Since Laura was asking about Montana books, I'll mention here that thanks to buddy Doug (and high ratings from Diane and Kirk), I picked up a copy of my latest FIVE STAR read, The Power of the Dog by Thomas Savage. Turns out that there are several books by that title (it comes from a biblical passage), so knowing that author's name is important.It is a creepy little literary piece which is pretty cool just in that itself - how often do you find a psychological suspense plot amongst a bunch of cowboys? Totally loved it.
My other happy report is on a YA book - yeah, that dystopian stuff I usually am not thrilled over. A couple GR friends have given The 5th Wave high ratings, and since I've got a kid in the house, I picked it up for us to do as a summer buddy read. The library had the audio, so the other day I popped open the audio while we had a 30 minute drive in each direction. He was so hooked, that once we got home, he grabbed his hard copy and sat down to read...and finished the 457 page book that evening!
I'm still happily puttering through the audio, and while it does have a young teen romantic subplot, that actually fits the story well when the narrator is a 16 year old. I'm snobby about romance tossed into a book just to market -what could have been an interesting read on its own merits- to repressed housewives (Sarah's Key is a great example). But this little romance doesn't bother me, maybe because I know the book is YA.
At any rate, those are my two good reads to report on this week. Happy reading, y'all!
I just finished Siracusa by Delia Ephron. I started out hating it but wound up liking it a lot. My review is here:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Playing for Pizza by John Grisham – 2** What’s the male equivalent of chick-lit? Jock-lit? Well, whatever term we use, this novel is it. Light on plot (and what’s there is predictable), a little romance, a life lesson learned (sort of), and a lot of football. It was a quick read, and I enjoyed some of the scenes that explored Italian culture. Evan Welch does a fairly good job of voicing the audio. He has good pacing and I liked the way he voiced the Italians.
Full Review HERE
Diane, only just seen the list you suggested thanks some I have read will be back to let you know which I order
I have just finished the latest novel in Charlaine Harris's Midnight, Texas series. It may not be literary fiction, but this series is an enjoyable read.
Night Shift by Charlaine HarrisMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
The citizens of Midnight, Texas, are a reclusive menagerie of close-knit friends, including a energy-stealing vampire, a virgin witch, a female assassin, fallen angels and shape-shifters. In this third and latest novel in the series, Midnight has seen a sudden and unusual uptick in suicides. Entranced citizens from surrounding communities and local fauna are traveling to Midnight's crossroads where they take their lives. The vampire Lemuel and pleasantly plump witch Figi try to discover the source of this compulsion because more citizens die and attention are drawn to the town.
I have enjoyed reading about life in Midnight, Texas. Each novel has focused on one of the town's oddball characters. Filming of this series is currently underway for a NBC fall 2016-2017 series so I'm glad I have already read the published series.
I finished The Children, a story about a blended family after the father dies. It was written by Ann Leary who also wrote The Good House. Both books have a lot of dark humor.My review of The Children :
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I read Chasing the North Star. 4 stars . My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....I definitely recommend this story of runaway slaves and their journey to find freedom.
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Preacher, Vol. 1: Gone to Texas is a totally twisted and profane graphic novel that is an interesting compliment to the new AMC series. Here’s my review. 
The Last Child is an Edgar Award winning novel from best-selling author John Hart. While I had a couple issues with the plot the character development was excellent. Here’s my review. 
Long Man is a poignant tale set in Tennessee during the Great Depression. Amy Greene's prose perfectly mimics the story-telling style of the Appalachian mountain people. Here’s my review.
NOT Southern (unless you count that he lived in Key West FL for a while) ... but gosh, it's good ...
A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway – 4**** Early in his career as a writer, Hemingway lived in Paris with his wife and infant son. This is his memoir of that time, when he was young, curious, and soaking up atmosphere with a sponge. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to have shared even one afternoon with these young writers! There is immediacy to Hemingway’s writing that just draws me into the world of his work. I thank Hemingway for letting me live vicariously through his memories.
Full Review HERE
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I adored Moveable Feast! How he loved his Hadley. They had so little money that he could only afford to rent a tiny attic alcove to use for writing. There was no heat, and although Hadley gave him little tangerines as a treat he had to keep them in the pockets of his coat or they would freeze solid there in his garret. A THOUSAND TIMES BETTER than the chick lit "Paris Wife."
Just began King's new release, End of Watch. Picked up Joe Hill's latest at the same time, The Fireman, and a Noel Hawley book (the guy responsible for the very Perfect by Rotten Tomatoes scoring "Fargo" (TV show). It'll be interesting to read him instead of watch him!
Book Concierge wrote: " Playing for Pizza by John Grisham – 2** What’s the male equivalent of chick-lit? Jock-lit? Well, whatever term we use, this novel is it. Light on plot (and wh..."
I call them "dudebooks", and I put it as a category on my Goodreads list.
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FYI: Noah Hawley's (Note :first name is Noah) Before the Fall will likely be one of most popular books of the summer. He is a master of writing books that look at the world from a slightly different perspective. His The Good Father, the story of a father who learns that his son has been arrested for assassinating a popular presidential candidate, is one of the most thought-provoking books that I've read in years.
John wrote: "I have just finished the latest novel in Charlaine Harris's Midnight, Texas series. It may not be literary fiction, but this series is an enjoyable read.Night Shift by Charlaine Harris My rating:..."
Hey John ~ I have heard great things about Charlaine Harris and not just with this series ! She is really popular ! I need to catch up and read one to test the deserts ! Does she follow a series ? I love to read books in a series ! I think I really enjoy the idea of getting to know the characters well and the setting becoming a real place for me . Then if the author adds tidbits of unknown knowledge that is truthful , I am really hooked because then things get intertwined between the surreal and realistic ! Love it ! Anne Rice was always a favorite for me because she combined it all along with historical facts. I used to eat her thick books for desert too ! I still have a few favorite series I want to revisit of Anne's it has been so long . The Vampires and the Mayfair Witches were my favorites . Although , I was fascinated with her sad tell of the treatment of the eunichs in the Choirs in the monistaries and Catholic Churches in Italy written about in Cry To Heaven . I had never heard of them until I read that book . It was such a terribly sad story .
I know that is says that Charlaine Harris is from the states , but ages ago my Mama and I read the most wonderful Historical Fiction series from an author named Marylyn Harris . The series began in early England when the rich lived in castles away from major cities and I suppose this was back in the fifteenth century . The series began with a book called This Other Eden and continued with the Eden family throughout tragedies, drama and some happiness among this amazing family throughout centuries . The journey took you from England and eventually to Texas in the USA . Every conflict and plot left no stone unturned . There was murder, mental illness, incestuous affairs, children out of wedlock and unknown to be heirs of fortune, embezzlement , suicide, and more . It was AWESOME ! I just wonder if Marylyn Harris could have been kin to Charlaine ? Wouldn't that be juicy !
Well, thank you as always for your recommendations !
Have a great one !
Dawn
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Tom you may be right. I'm going to give this book a try but I'm close to 30 on the waiting list. It's been a long time since I've read a book that had that many waiting.
Dawn wrote: "John wrote: "I have just finished the latest novel in Charlaine Harris's Midnight, Texas series. It may not be literary fiction, but this series is an enjoyable read.Night Shift by Charlaine Harr..."
I tried to read the first of her Sookie Stackhouse, which became the True Blood tv series, but couldn't get into them. However, I'm enjoying the Midnight, Texas series.
Tom wrote: "Meran wrote: "Just began King's new release, End of Watch. Picked up Joe Hill's latest at the same time, The Fireman, and a Noel Hawley book (the guy responsible for the very Perfect by Rotten Toma..."Before the Fall is a terrific book.
I finished listening to Lock In by John Scalzi. My review is here:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Tom wrote: "Meran wrote: "Just began King's new release, End of Watch. Picked up Joe Hill's latest at the same time, The Fireman, and a Noel Hawley book (the guy responsible for the very Perfect by Rotten Toma..."The Good Father is the one I decided to buy. Thanks for the short quick review/encouragement!
Looks like I decided on both of them! Before the Fall arrived late yesterday
Faith wrote: "I finished listening to Lock In by John Scalzi. My review is here:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
I liked this one very much!
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Now that the group is reading "Long Man," did anyone ever read "Harvest" by Catherine Landis? This novel has a theme of displacement caused by TVA building dams. I really enjoyed this character-driven novel, and wanted to mention.
No, but Ron Rash's "One Foot in Eden" is set in a similar to-be-flooded valley. It is one of my two favorite books by him.
Meran wrote: "Faith wrote: "I finished listening to Lock In by John Scalzi. My review is here:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
I liked this one very much!"
I purchased a Kindle copy today for $2.99.
Janie wrote: "Now that the group is reading "Long Man," did anyone ever read "Harvest" by Catherine Landis? This novel has a theme of displacement caused by TVA building dams. I really enjoyed this character-dri..."LeAnne wrote: "No, but Ron Rash's "One Foot in Eden" is set in a similar to-be-flooded valley. It is one of my two favorite books by him."
Thank you LeAnne. I'll have to check that one out.
harvest looks interesting, added that one.
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https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2..."
I'm glad you liked this one. I've been looking at it and plan to go see her in Berkeley on the 22nd.
Book Concierge wrote: "but gosh, it's good ... A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway I thought I should read some Hemingway (Other than Hills Alike White Elephants) a while back, and got The Old Man and the Sea', because that's what they had n English at the library where I was wrking temporarily. Wish I'd started with 'A Moveable Feast'. TOMatS was a tour de force, but a tour de force in a sort of literature that is not my thng (all that baseball!). That he could keep me reading about a man fishng --no, I do realize it is far m ore than thwt, but still -- amazes me, but I feel no affection toward it and no urge to ever pick it up again. And I know you have to allow books to be of their time, but the great-man-of-letters-writes-about-the-simoe-thoughts-of-the-peasant bothered me more than a little.
Just finished Everybody's Fool by Richard Russo and loved it. Everybody's FoolGoing back into The Luminaries tonight.The Luminaries
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On the Southern Literary Trail
Books mentioned in this topic
Happy Land (other topics)Take My Hand (other topics)
Happy Land (other topics)
Happy Land (other topics)
Somewhere Toward Freedom: Sherman's March and the Story of America's Largest Emancipation (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Bennett Parten (other topics)Wes Browne (other topics)
Hubert Skidmore (other topics)
Mark Twain (other topics)
Delia Owens (other topics)
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I seriously doubt it. That movie is high on every list of top 10 historically inaccurate movies ever made. I hate to disagree with Laura but I hated it.