On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

The Southern Literary Trail is now accepting nominations for books that the group will be reading in September 2023.

We will consider books with a southern literary theme that have not been read by the group in the last 24 months. 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. The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter, by Carson McCullers
2. Under the Bright Lights, by Daniel Woodrell
3. A Summons to Memphis, by Peter Taylor
4. The Elementals, by Michael McDowell
5. The Black Prince and Other Stories, by Shirley Ann Grau
6. The Widow's Trial, by John Ehle
Books originally published after 1990
1. Gods and Generals, by Jeff Shaara
2. A Cup of Dust, by Susie Finkbeiner
3. Those We Thought We Knew, by David Joy
4. The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had, by Kristin Levine
5. In the Season of Blood and Gold, by Taylor Brown
6. On Agate Hill, by Lee Smith

WITHDRAWN/MOD'S CHOICE
Post 1990 Flags on the Bayou by James Lee Burke

I would like to nominate The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers. Published around 1940.

Nancy wrote: "I would like to nominate The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers. Published around 1940."

It has been three years since the group read that so it is acceptable.

A Cup of Dust by Susie Finkbeiner for post 1990

and

pre 1990 Under the Bright Lights by Daniel Woodrell (First published January 1, 1986)

Tom wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I would like to nominate The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers. Published around 1940."

It has been three years since the group read that so it is acceptable."

If you have not read this book, you will find it a joy.

I would like to nominate 'The Black Prince and Other Stories' by Shirley Ann Grau for the pre 1990 section. It is available on Hoopla.

Flags on bayou is my moderators choice for September so it’s already a definite.

Laura wrote: "Flags on bayou is my moderators choice for September so it’s already a definite."

Yeah Laura! I withdraw my nom :D

How about Those We Thought We Knew by David Joy publishing August 1.

To continue on the subject of the Civil War, for post 1990, I nominate Gods and Generals by Jeff Shaara, son of Michael Shaara. Although it did not win a Pulitzer, it did receive some great reviews and also was made into to a movie. Published in 1996, the novel is 490 pages, with opening notes, an afterword and cast of people at the end. My hard copy contains maps, much like The Killer Angels had.

Cathrine good nomination, on my list to read.

Pre 1990: I nominate A Summons to Memphis by Peter Taylor; 1986; won a Pulitzer — unless previously/recently read by the group.

I nominate Pre-1990 The Elementals Michael McDowell

Sam wrote: "I nominate Pre-1990 The Elementals Michael McDowell"

I love McDowell's books. He was a master of his genre.

I'll nominate The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had by Kristin Levine

teriffic little book....

For post 1990 I'd like to nominate In the Season of Blood and Gold by Taylor Brown

Grace wrote: "I'll nominate The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had by Kristin Levine

teriffic little book...."

Accepted. In the future, please let us know what category you are nominating a book for.

Sue wrote: "For post 1990 I'd like to nominate In the Season of Blood and Gold by Taylor Brown"

I suppose, having read all of his novels, I should check out his short stories.

Tom wrote: "Sue wrote: "For post 1990 I'd like to nominate In the Season of Blood and Gold by Taylor Brown"

I suppose, having read all of his novels, I should check out his short stories."

It has a lot of great reviews.

Sue wrote: "For post 1990 I'd like to nominate In the Season of Blood and Gold by Taylor Brown"

It's a good one!

It's great to know you loved it, Catherine. Recommendations from this group mean more than most!

Tom wrote: "Sam wrote: "I nominate Pre-1990 The Elementals Michael McDowell"

I love McDowell's books. He was a master of his genre."


I figured it might make a good follow to August's reads and jump start Halloween.

Just to wrap it up:

On Agate Hill post 1990
The Widow's Trial pre 1990

Just to wrap it up:

Pre 1990. The Widow's Trial
Post 1990. On Agate Hill

And that closes the nominations.

The polls for the September selections are open. Thanks to all of you who nominated books and to all of you who participate. As always, 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.