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, "Miss Scarlett"
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Nov 19, 2020 01:13PM
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Speaking of Carl Hiaasen novels, I reviewed NATIVE TONGUE here:
Finished another Carl Hiaasen book, NATIVE TONGUE, and reviewed it here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
For me it’s Stoner, A Month in the Country and Housekeeping. All so beautifully written. And now that I’ve written it, other books are calling out to be added, or possibly their authors ( Cather, Brian Doyle, Faulkner, etc).
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I have read a lot of enthusiastic comments about Stoner but the description makes it sound bleak and joyless. I'm interested in it but need more convincing before I take the plunge.
My reading the past few months has consisted mostly of timely, in-depth magazine, newspaper and literary articles that require minimal time and emotional commitment. Posting this link here for the Ron Rash fans in the group:http://www.lcweekly.com/books/6077-se...
Christmas Cow Bells – Mollie Cox Bryan – 3***
First in a new cozy mystery series set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and featuring artisanal cheese maker Brynn MacAllister. This was just delightful. I love the basic premise of a micro-dairy farmer who is trying to make her way in a new community, but facing difficulties from traditionalists who do not want any change. I’m not really an animal lover, but I did really love the animal characters: Petunia, Buttermilk, Marigold and Freckles. I look forward to reading more of this series.
My full review HERE
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Thanks. Just starting on 'Serena' Wyndy wrote: "My reading the past few months has consisted mostly of timely, in-depth magazine, newspaper and literary articles that require minimal time and emotional commitment. Posting this link here for the ..."
I've been enjoying the gothic atmosphere of
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-GarciaI love gothic fiction. Is it true there's such a thing as Southern gothic?
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Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia..."Me Too!
Kirsten "keep calm there are only 48 days left" wrote: "Is it true there's such a thing as Southern gothic?."
Absolutely,
Southern Gothic is definitely a thing. Goodreads even has a list of top SG works. I'll post the link below but before I do I'd like to suggest a couple of my favorites, both by the incomparable Shelby Foote:
Love in a Dry Season
Follow Me Down
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
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Salvation on Sand Mountain: Snake-Handling and Redemption in Southern Appalachia This looks like a good one for this group. I found it as I was browsing lists of Sothern gothic books.
A Minute to Midnight – David Baldacci – 3***
Book 2 in the Atlee Pine mystery series has the FBI agent forced to take a “vacation” which she elects to spend back in her childhood hometown of Andersonville, Georgia. Fast-paced and with plenty of twists and action to keep the reader turning pages. It’s almost too much action, especially when Baldacci combines the cold case with a new serial killer in town.
My full review HERE
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Salvation on Sand Mountain: Snake-Handling and Redemption in Southern Appalachia T..."A magnificent non-fiction read beginning on Dennis Covington's coverage of an attempted murder case of a snake handling preacher who subjected his wife to multiple rattle snake bites. Covington finds himself drawn into churches where members regularly handle serpents. And takes up the practice himself. Fascinating.
Dumplin’ – Julie Murphy – 3.5***
I grew up in Texas and am very familiar with the small-town beauty pageant hysteria. I really liked the story arc about Will’s efforts regarding the pageant and how she inspires other girls who don’t fit the standard “beauty-queen” stereotype to step up as well. I also liked how Murphy explored the mother/daughter and friend relationships. I was a somewhat unhappy with the romance aspect; I was really disappointed in how Dumplin’ managed her conflict, but then she’s a teenager.
My full review HERE
Ella Minnow Pea – Mark Dunn – 5***** and a ❤
A novel told in letters about an island nation off the coast of South Carolina where the residents pride themselves on their literacy. And then a tile falls off a monument and their exalted leaders declare that letter is no longer to be used. What’s one little letter? There are 25 others. But as more letter tiles fall, restrictions – and penalties – become more onerous. And the citizens of Nollop realize their nation is being ruined by those in charge.
My full review HERE
Reading Rosemary's Baby, the novel by Ira Levin which became the movie with Mia Farrow and John Cassavetes.
My review of The Zealot and the Emancipator: John Brown, Abraham Lincoln, and the Struggle for American Freedom by H.W. Brandshttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Letters from the Earth by Mark Twain★★★
Whether you are an atheist or a Christian, there is something for all in this short novel. For example, Mark Twain's retelling of Noah and the great flood had me chuckling. If you are easily offended with someone outlining some of the inconsistencies in Holy Scripture, you might want to skip this book. For my full review of this book, click here.
Simon the Fiddler – Paulette Jiles – 4****
Set in Texas at the end of the Civil War and the beginning of the reconstruction period, Jiles follows Simon Boudlin and his band of iterant musicians as they try to stay alive and out of trouble, and as Simon tries to win the heart of Doris, an indentured immigrant Irish lass. Simon is a marvelous character: intelligent, quick witted, resourceful, and determined. I love the way Jiles crafts her novels. While the plot focuses on the characters and their reactions to events happening around them, the atmosphere is enhanced by her descriptions of the landscape, the food, and culture of the times.
My full review HERE
BC, I don’t understand why I see the title of your book and a note about it in the notification message while here I see only a tile with no information. If I hadn’t received the message, I wouldn’t know what you read. Jiles’s book sounds good.
I started reading: 
The Hot Spot by Charles Williams
Good ol' fashioned 1950s noir by a good ol' Texas boy.
Flash And Bones – Kathy Reichs – 3***
Book # 14 in the very popular Temperance Brennan mystery series, featuring the forensic anthropologist who splits her time between Quebec and North Carolina. Reichs is great at plotting intricate mysteries and this is no exception. There are plenty of twists and turns, old and new murders to consider, red herrings and suspects galore. My main problem with the series is that Tempe manages to get herself into serious trouble, but is always rescued by a conveniently handy big, strong man.
My full review HERE
Sue wrote: "BC, I don’t understand why I see the title of your book and a note about it in the notification message while here I see only a tile with no information. If I hadn’t received the message, I wouldn’..."Wow .. that IS strange. I see the full posting (of course this is several days after you posted your comment ... perhaps it was a caching issue?)
I’m mostly using my iPad now, BC. I wonder if somehow that is part of the issue. I just came to the page again from aa email with a brief review and link for the Reichs book. First time I clicked there was only your name. Second time, the tile appeared. On my page, there still is no narrative on your entry for Jiles’ book. So I wonder if it has to do with the post beginning with the tile rather than with words. Who knows.Another oddity of the digital age.
My review of The Uncollected Stories of Allan Gurganus by Allan Gurganushttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I just finished reading The Good Brother by Chris Offutt and thought it was fantastic. Initially a little slow, but the book is meant to be read slowly to digest the prose and the character’s reflection on his situation. I thought the book was particularly relevant as it touched on some reasons militias form in the US. I read this in the weeks after the attack on the US capitol by militants. Highly recommended as is all his other writings. I noticed the group has not read Mr. Offutt since 2018 and we might want to consider nominating one of his books for a group read.
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Under the Mercy Trees – Heather Newton – 3.5***
Oh, what a tangled web we weave… There are so many things going on, so many secrets, so many betrayals. We have people consumed by alcohol (and/or drugs), mean-spirited control freaks, unfaithful spouses, guilty consciences, mental (and physical) illness and abject loneliness that comes with keeping all that bottled up. I’m exhausted by the effort required by these characters to hide so much and still co-exist in such tight quarters. This is Newton’s only novel; I wish there were more for me to read.
My full review HERE
I finished:
The Hot Spot by Charles Williams
Rating: 5 stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
and I started reading:
Big Trouble by Dave Barry
My review of Julian Bond's Time to Teach: A History of the Southern Civil Rights Movement by Julian Bondhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finished:
Big Trouble by Dave Barry
Rating: 3 stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I enjoyed the newest book by one of the Trail's favorite authors, Michael Farris Smith, who wrote a prequel to the classic "The Great Gatsby" about the character Nick Carraway.
NickReview: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review of Robert E. Lee and Me: A Southerner's Reckoning with the Myth of the Lost Cause by Ty Seidulehttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee – 5*****
My all-time favorite novel, which I re-read every few years. This is a singularly powerful novel that had a great impact on me when I first read it at age 13, and has never failed to move and inspire me as I’ve re-read it over the years. It’s a well-paced novel, a fast read with elements of suspense, family drama, humor and moral lessons.
My full review HERE
Not a book, and I've mentioned this before - my reading over the past 12+ months has changed vastly due to “sheltering in place” with family members who are not usually in my empty nest reading space 24/7. Mostly blogs, articles, reviews, short stories - bits and pieces I can consume quickly amid frequent interruptions - have been the daily fare. Few novels lately, but I’ve learned a lot about some of my favorite places, books and authors. This is just one interesting example. I never knew McMurtry was a longtime bookstore owner/manager. His library is amazing.https://lithub.com/inside-the-vibrant...
Wyndy,It's been a different way of learning to live life this past year and I'm glad you've been able to keep up reading online, it sounds like. I am amazed at the pictures of McMurtry's own library. I lived near (25 miles away) Archer City twice in my lifetime and shamefully never knew I was so close to a place I needed to visit. I've been gone from there for a couple of years now, but I could always go back and visit. Archer City, Texas has less than 2,000 people, so not much there.
I sure hope you are able to continue enjoying your reading and getting more time to yourself this year!
Lori wrote: "Wyndy,It's been a different way of learning to live life this past year and I'm glad you've been able to keep up reading online, it sounds like. I am amazed at the pictures of McMurtry's own libra..."
I did read in another article on McMurtry that Archer City has less than 2000 residents, as you mention, and almost half a million books! Another interesting fact about McMurtry that I never knew: he married Faye Kesey, Ken Kesey’s widow, about ten years ago, and the ceremony was held in his bookstore. Everything I’ve read about him makes me want to meet him for a cold Shiner Boch 😉 Thanks much for your comments and encouragement, Lori.
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https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
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Wonderul news. I will definitely look forward to the new OFFUTT!
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Dave, you should look at Country Dark for sure! Sooooo good!! Kentucky Straight is waiting for me on my kindle.
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Quite a Year For Plums – Bailey White – 3***
A charming look at the eccentric people who inhabit a small town in Georgia. I had a hard time getting into the book. That was my problem, I think, rather than the book’s. I usually enjoy these slower, meandering, character-driven works, but it just didn’t quite work for me at this time. It was okay. There was nothing really wrong with it. But I barely remember it just a day after finishing it.
My full review HERE
I'm reading a little true crime right now. A particular weakness of mine. 
The Family Next Door: The Heartbreaking Imprisonment of the Thirteen Turpin Siblings and Their Extraordinary Rescue
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Lori thanks for recommending Country Dark. It was fantastic, one of my favourites this year.
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On the Southern Literary Trail
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