On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

Diane Barnes has graciously accepted to become our newest Moderator here on "The Trail." I've invited Diane to pop in and tell us a little about herself.

I can tell you that if you've followed Diane, she is a frequent contributor to our group and always among the first to nominate selections for our group reads.

Welcome, Diane. I appreciate your help!

Mike

Yay! Diane is a great choice!!!

Congrats to Diane. She always adds great things to the conversation.

Thanks, Laura, I appreciate that! I have been a member of this group since it's inception. I had just joined Goodreads and listed "To Kill a Mockingbird" as my all time favorite book. I got an invitation from Mike out of the blue, promptly accepted, and have never looked back. The Trail has some amazing members who are dedicated readers and revel in sharing their favorite authors and trying new ones. Through this group I have been re-introduced to William Faulkner after giving him up as unreadable in my youth. After being advised on HOW to read Faulkner by a fellow member (I don't recall who, but thank you), I can now appreciate him for the genius of his writing. Through group reads I have discovered Larry Brown, Tom Franklin, Tim Gautreaux, Donald Harington, Ron Rash, and Daniel Woodrell, who are all amazing authors who had never appeared on my radar before. I have also met wonderful friends on The Trail who have shared personal favorites with me, thereby increasing my TBR shelf to gargantuan heights.

A little personal information for anyone who is interested: I am originally from Durham, NC. My husband and I relocated to a small beach town called Oak Island in 1989. When my daughter went to kindergarten, I promptly went to our small bookstore (an independent, remember those?) and asked for a part-time job. I was hired and became a bookseller. That may be considered small potatoes to some, but to me it's a calling. We moved to Mt. Pleasant, SC, eight years ago, just over the bridge from Charleston. Again, I applied at the only game in town for booksellers and was hired full time. I just recently stepped down to a part-time role to afford myself more free time, but can't give up my association with books and the people who love them entirely.

I appreciate the opportunity to co-moderate this group. Much thanks to Mike, members of The Trail, and the Goodreads community. You have enriched my reading life immeasurably.

Diane, what was the name of that Oak Island bookstore, by chance? My grandparents lived on Oak Island my whole childhood, and from the time I was six years old, my grandma would take me to the little bookstore on the island whenever I’d come to visit. It was our special thing. I can’t remember the name at the moment, but I probably would if I heard it. Was there more than one down there?

That would have started around 1989-1990, and lasted up until that little shop closed. My grandparents have both passed away now, but my aunt still lives on the island and my family makes trips down there whenever we can. Oak Island holds a special place in our hearts, and now, it’s possible that you could have sold me some of the very first books that developed my love of reading!

That was too much of a coincidence, I just had to write and ask you that. Congratulations on becoming the new moderator!

Diane,

Congratulations on becoming one of our moderators. I always enjoy reading your comments.

Beverly

Jamie, there was "The Little Professor" bookstore in Southport right beside Food Lion, and the used bookstore, "Books N Stuff", on the island, which relocated to the shopping center with Lowes Foods a few years ago. I worked at both of them at different times. It is quite possible our paths crossed, what a co-incidence! I still go back there a few times a year for book club meetings with my old group. It's changed quite a bit.

The Little Professor. That’s the one, right before you got to 211. It was just a couple years ago that I discovered the Books N’ Stuff shop, after they moved. I make it a point to drop in there every time I go now. They’re lovely people and I always find something interesting in their stacks that I might not have found otherwise.

Thanks, Diane! I imagine our paths would have had to cross at some point... how about that.

Fantastic! Congrats, Diane!

Good for you, Diane, in all fronts.

You're very brave to work in a bookstore. Me? I couldn't be trusted ;) OR I'd buy every book they had. (well, not the romances, nor the spy stuff and no sparkly vamps ;) )

I'd have to be chained to the desk! Lol

Lucky you, to work in one :)

Meran, my husband claims it's like a drunk working in a liquor store, and he's right!

Congratulations, Diane!

Diane, my husband and I always stay in Mt. pleasant when we go to charleston. We like being out of the bustle of downtown, and love Metto, the little drive through coffee place!

Do you have any favorite bookstores in that area? I'm headed down in a few weeks with my sister!

Congrats Diane!

Jenny, Barnes & Noble is sort of it in Mt. Pleasant. There used to be a great used bookstore on Coleman Avenue called Sullivan's Books, but he closed up about a year ago. There is a wonderful place in downtown Charleston on King Street called Blue Bicycle Books. He carries a mix of used and new books and it's a great place to browse.

So nice to see your wonderful grinning smile. I think you will be a terrific moderator. I always enjoying following your posts. Thanks so much for helping us out.

Congrats Diane! Go girl!

Wonderful, Diane. Thanks for helping out the group.

Excellent Diane. You are perfect for this!!

I forget who, but was advised to read Faulkner without trying to understand the plot, just to let the words and language wash over me, and it would all come together in the end. It was like a flash of lightning when I used that technique with "Absolom, Absolom", and now I can't get enough of Faulkner.

I'm so glad you accepted this position Diane! Wonderful! Your unique perspective will be much appreciated by the membership.

Thank you Diane!