On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

Nominations are now closed.

The Southern Literary Trail is now accepting nominations for books that the group will be reading in June 2024.

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. In the latter case, we will no longer consider nominations for new books unless they have been available for at least four months prior to the date we begin reading the book. 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 Color Purple, by Alice Walker
2. A Streetcar Named Desire, by Tennessee Williams
3. Remembering, by Wendell Berry
4. Time of Drums: A Novel, by John Ehle
5. The Marrow of Tradition, by Charles W. Chesnutt
6. The Chaneysville Incident, by David Bradley
Books originally published after 1990
1. Beach Music, by Pat Conroy
2. Provinces of Night, by William Gay
3. The Good Brother, by Chris Offutt
4. Feather Crowns, by Bobbie Ann Mason
5. Once These Hills, by Chris McGinley
6. Pelican Road, by Howard Bahr

Post 1990 Percival Everett ´s James ( the audio is good)

Before 1990 Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Tennessee Williams

Jane wrote: "Post 1990 Percival Everett ´s James ( the audio is good)"

James was first released on March 19th. Based on the rules described above, it won't be eligible for nomination until August. I'm looking forward to reading it as well but this rule was implemented so that more of our members would be able to obtain copies during the month we read it. (Mark your calendar and nominate it again on June 15th when I open up nominations for August.)

Jane wrote: "Before 1990 Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Tennessee Williams"

This was last read in April 2023 so it won't be eligible again until this time next year.

Oh okay what about A Streetcar ? I was interested in finding a play .

Oh okay for James I have the audio and I am half way through I will try to remember :)

Pre-1990. The Color Purple Alice Walker
Post-1990. Beach Music Pat Conroy

Post 1990 Provinces of Night William Gay

Jane wrote: "Oh okay for James I have the audio and I am half way through I will try to remember :)"

Diane is thinking about making that the Moderator's choice for August.

Sam wrote: "Pre-1990. The Color Purple Alice Walker
Post-1990. Beach Music Pat Conroy"

Excellent choices.

Jane wrote: "Oh okay what about A Streetcar ? I was interested in finding a play ."

That we can do.

Lavonne wrote: "Post 1990 Provinces of Night William Gay"

Provinces of Night is nominated.

Yes Jane, I'd like to make James my MOD choice for August. I know a lot of people may have read it by then, but we could still have a great discussion.

Diane Yes that sounds great

I nominate "The Marrow of Tradition" by Charles W. Chesnutt for the pre-1990.

Pre 1990: Remembering

Post 1990: The Good Brother

Someone suggested it in another group, and it seemed interesting, but can I nominate Feather Crowns for Post 1990?

I think that leaves us with 2 lacking in both categories.

For post 1990 I'll nominate Once These Hills
by Chris McGinley

Pre 1990 Time of Drums by John Ehle

Post 1990 Pelican Road by Howard Bahr. That just leaves one pre 1990 nomination and we are done.

I'm going to wrap things up by nominating The Chaneysville Incident, by David Bradley.

With that, the nominations are now closed.