On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

Here you go....a new list for a new year!

https://cutleafjournal.com/content/as...

For Charles dodd white fans….a story

Thanks Laura.

I have 5 books going right now.

Hard Times by Charles Dickens
Augustus by John Williams
The Witches of Eastwick by John Updike
My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon

I am attempting to see how many books I can read in a single month (while still working my full time at my career). I expect to add to this list as I finish some, but hopefully I will get through all of these in January. (None right now are Southern writers. But I’ll be back!) To meet all of my challenges this year, I have to increase my reading.

That's ambitious Terry. I usually have 2, sometimes 3, going at once. Any more would just confuse me.

These are all vastly different from one another, Diane — historical emperor in ancient Rome, social and economic conditions in and an industrial town in mid-19th century England, a World War II spy/resistance novel in Europe, late 20th century New England witches, and contemporary crime story set in Lagos, Nigeria.

I thought I would try this approach this month, but I doubt if I will continue it. I really don’t like reading this way. My usual approach is to have one hard copy going and one audiobook, and I do try to keep them different from each other — if I think about it.

Demon Copperhead – Barbara Kingsolver – 5*****
Kingsolver’s Pulitzer-prize winning novel is a re-telling of Charles Dickens’s David Copperfield set in Appalachia. Like the original, the book explores the effects of poverty, especially on children. Oh, but this was sad and tugged at my heartstrings. Certainly, there were moments, even years-long stretches of time when Demon was well cared for and seemed to have beaten the odds, but it seemed that his entire life was destined for one bad break after another. Yet, despite his faults, Demon stole my heart and I was cheering for him by the end.
LINK to my full review

Hi, Diane ...
Tried to message you, but that didn't work.

First, thanks for setting up a new thread. This should avoid issues of a thread crashing or no longer accepting new posts when it gets overly long. (This happened in the past, and the powers-that-be at GR had only one suggestion: start a new thread.)

Anyway ... You might want to pin THIS thread to the top, and UNpin the older thread.

I have three books going so far in February:

- In the Shadow of the Banyan by Vaddey Ratner
- The Stories of John Cheever by John Cheever
- The Tiffany Girls by Shelley Noble
I hope to start Nightwoods by Charles Frazier by next week.
Other books I may read or start this month:
- Station Eleven by Emily St John Mantel
- What Makes Sammy Run by Bud Schulberg
- Chesapeake by James Michener

I will probably add others. I did really well last month, so I am continuing my concerted effort to kick my reading into the next gear.

Interview with John Ehle from 2012 for anyone who is interested.

https://www.thebeliever.net/a-convers...

Dave, I will definitely come back to your link because I am going to read The Land Breakers this year. Thanks for posting it.

The Land Breakers is a brilliant book, you are in for a treat, Terry.

I'm placing this comment here, because I don't know where else to place it.
I've just started reading Dark Fire by Bernadette Rule, and in the preface she says that the word 'Kentucky' comes from the Iroquoian word meaning 'dark and bloody battle-ground.'
I'm fascinated by this, has anybody else heard this before? I'm not questioning it, I'm just curious as to if it's common knowledge.

Thanks for posting that interview, Dave. I'll be starting "The Road" soon.
Terri, I echo Dave. The Land Breakers is a fantastic read.

The Road is fantastic, no surprises there.

I read The Road several years ago. As I remember, I found it to be a haunting story told in a very spare style, easily read and hard to forget.

I'm talking about The Road by John Ehle, about building the railroad in the Appalachians. I read the McCarthy a few years ago.

Dave wrote: "I'm placing this comment here, because I don't know where else to place it.
I've just started reading Dark Fire by Bernadette Rule, and in the preface she says that the word 'Kentu..."

Dave,

Some pioneers called it that due to attacks by the tribes that lived there who fought to keep the whites out of the area. However, that is not what the name meant and, in fact, nobody knows for sure, but here are some possible origins:

Kentake: An Iroquois word that means "meadow land" or "the place of meadows"

Ken-tah-ten: A Wyandot word that means "land of tomorrow"

Kan-tuck-ee: A Shawnee word that means "at the head of the river"

Kentucke: An Iroquoian or Mohawk word that means "among the meadows"

Ah, okay, Diane. Thanks for clarifying. I might like to read that too, but zi needed to get to the Land Breakers first.

Howard wrote: "Dave wrote: "I'm placing this comment here, because I don't know where else to place it.
I've just started reading Dark Fire by Bernadette Rule, and in the preface she says that th..."

Thanks for that Howard, that's really interesting. I think I like the Wyandot word the best.

This year, I’ve rediscovered my love for Americana.

I started with Nightwoods and Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier, Shiloh by Shelby Foote, and All My Friends Are Going to Be Strangers by Larry McMurtry.

I’ve just started Lonesome Dove and recently picked up Foote’s The Civil War: A Narrative.

I’m also making my way through Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series and may pick up some Cormac McCarthy along the way.

I just found this group and look forward to discovering new recommendations!

Balin, Had to smile when you mentioned you had just started Lonesome Dove. About as Americana as one could get. You’ll love it.

My review of Red Clay by Charles B. Fancher

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Currently on a serendipitous trek for Black History Month, courtesy of three different Goodreads groups: If He Hollers Let Him Go by Chester Himes, If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin, The Reformatory by Tananarive Due.

Terry wrote: "I have 5 books going right now.
Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon"

Terry, I'll be interested in your thoughts about the AL. I've only read her latest one but enjoyed it so much I was wondering if I should check out her previous books.

Balin wrote: "
Balin your post made me chuckle. Laura Ingalls Wilder up against Cormac McCarthy would probably give me reader's whiplash 😅

The Land Breakers is on one of my reading challenges for this year also. I'm looking forward to finally getting to it.

Cathrine ☯️ wrote: "

I'll probably need a break between the two to prepare myself that's for sure. If my experience with the road a few years back is anything to go by, Blood Meridian won't be a walk in the park.

The Land Breaker's sounds very much my cup of tea.

The Land Breakers is a fantastic book.

Cathrine, I thought Code Name Helene was sort of an average historical novel, a little better for being based on a true story, and to me, a little worse because I didn’t much care for the protagonist (although again, based on a real person). I am not much inclined to read more by this author. But — never say never, who knows?

I am targeting April for The Land Breakers, but if I am running behind, it might be May.

Thanks Terry. Perhaps I'll give it a try on audio at some point.
Would love to read Land Breakers alongside of you but the when is somewhat dictated by the challenge it's tied to.

Tom Lake – Ann Patchett – 5*****
This character-driven story set during the COVID pandemic is the kind of literary fiction that I love. I was completely captured by this tale about love - the reckless abandon of youth, the quiet strength of long-term relationships, the fierce protection of a parent for a child. I loved the relationships between the Nelson family members. Their solid foundation of love and respect gives them the grace to open their hearts to others, which is so beautifully shown in the ending.
LINK to my full review

Just Mercy – Bryan Stevenson – 4****
Subtitle: A Story of Justice and Redemption. Bryan Stevenson was a young attorney when he founded the Equal Justice Initiative, dedicated to defending those most desperate and in need. This was compelling and inspiring. Stevenson was up against a system that had been born of deeply entrenched fear and hatred and racism. For him “liberty and justice for all” are not just words but a call to action.
LINK to my full review

Do you think you could PIN this topic to the top and UNpin the older one? Took me a while to find this.

Done!

I couldn't put this one down.
Confederates in the Attic: Dispatches from the Unfinished Civil War by Tony Horwitz

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Cathrine ☯️ wrote: "I couldn't put this one down.
Confederates in the Attic: Dispatches from the Unfinished Civil War ..."

Cathrine, I agree. Good non-fiction story. Have you read Horwitz's Spying on the South, about Olmsted's journey through the South, studying its architecture and especially its landscape architecture?

I'm in another small group, "Yoknapatawpha." Last year we read five Faulkner novels and the Collected Stories. This year we are continuing on with other great 20th century Southern writers. Here's our list for 2025:

All the King's Men Robert Penn Warren
Look Homeward, Angel Thomas Wolfe
Their Eyes Were Watching God Zora Neale Hurston
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter Carson McCullers
Collected Stories Eudora Welty
Invisible Man Ralph Ellison
Complete Stories Flannery O'Connor
The Moviegoer Walker Percy
Deliverance James Dickey
A Confederacy of Dunces John Kennedy Toole
A Lesson Before Dying Ernest Gaines
Cold Mountain Charles Frazier
The Known World Edward P. Jones

We are currently starting Ellison.

That's a very impressive list, John. There are some brilliant books here.

This is NOT Southern fiction, but it has that "feel" ... small town, family saga


Saturday Night At the Lakeside Supper Club – J Ryan Stradal – 3***
I really like Stradal’s writing. He is spot on in revealing the small-town Midwestern vibe. These are ordinary people, leading ordinary lives, full of hope, dreams, hardship, fights, reconciliations, tragedy, and perseverance. This novel is more about the characters and how they deal with what life throws at them, than it is about a particular plot point. So glad the supper club continues to be popular in Wisconsin!
LINK to my full review

Lay Your Armor Down is the new book by Michael Farris Smith. It's a fast-paced Southern gothic novel that's hard to put down.

Here's my review:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Don't Forget Me, Little Bessie by the one and only James Lee Burke

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Land Breakers by John Ehle

Initially, I was captured by the promise of a community carving a life out from the wilderness and the visions of day to day pioneer life, perhaps something like a grittier Little House book.

However was a little put off at some point by the clinging dresses and drama, but, after a few days break I pushed through and find myself enjoying it more than ever.

Balin wrote: "
The Land Breakers by John Ehle

Initially, I was captured by the promise of a community carving a life out from the wilderness ..."

I'm chuckling Balin. I'm reading it right now as well and I believe I just got through that section which surprised me, it doesn't seem to fit.

Phew, I'm not alone then! Still, I am so glad I went back to it. A wonderful book really, just a little jarring at some points.

Enjoy the rest of it!

Another that is not strictly a "Southern" read ... but certainly has that vibe.


On the Wrong Track – Steve Hockensmith – 3***
Book two in the “Holmes on the Range” series of mysteries set in the American Wild West, circa 1893. I really like this series. One of the best things about the series is Hockensmith’s way with words. In addition to the brothers, Hockensmith populates the books with an array of interesting and colorful side characters.
LINK to my full review

The series is not a Southern series, but this episode takes place in Louisiana ...



The Sound and the Furry – Spencer Quinn – 3***
Book number six in the Chet & Bernie mystery series takes our intrepid duo East to the Louisiana bayous to search for a missing man. I just love this series. Chet (the dog who failed obedience training) narrates the adventures that he and his human, Bernie, have when they take on various cases as part of their business, the Little Detective Agency. Quinn gives us a fast-paced book, with sprinkles of humor to lessen the tension.
LINK to my full review

The House on First Street: My New Orleans Story by Julia Reed. I wanted to read this memoir because New Orleans is often the focus of attention here on the Gulf (of Mexico) Coast during hurricane season.

Family, friends, and household staff and contractors make up the the heart of the story.

Buying a new house and experiencing and recovering from Hurricane Katrina makes up the focus of this memoir.

A gem.
⭐⭐⭐⭐