okay, yes crazy...i am that. i am going to do this challenge, but I need three books, books that would really interest me, that I cannot put down...ANY SUGGESTIONS!?!!?
I have read Secret Life of Bees, and Uncle Tom's Cabin, and I almost considered re-reading both since i LOVED them, but do you have a suggestion for me? I was even thinking about Killer Angels, since we own it and my hubby (B) loved it. I also have read the Divine Secrets of the YA-YA sisterhood, or something like that...and it was good, really good....Oh, and To Kill a Mocking Bird, I think that has to be from the south as well.
I need suggestions though, because I did not grow up here, I am not sure what would even be considered for this challenge, and i am currently starting WAY LATE....so I need to get these books now! I know I have tons of these books in my library, but I just don't know which they are!! I would rather not buy new books, since I have just done that (several times), which are your faves?? Your ultimate faves from the south, I want to know...if I have them I will read them!!!
HELP!!!!
21 comments:
I really like Fanny Flagg--especially Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man. I've also heard that her Welcome to the World, Baby Girl! is good (I'm reading that for the challenge). To Kill a Mockingbird is definitely Southern! Joshilyn Jackson is nice and easy--kind of like Rebecca Wells. And you could read Wells' other novels.
Definitely Killer Angels. I read that for a class in college and LOVED it (you can skip Jeff Shaara's work, though, it is only okay).
OH, wow you gals are quick!
trish- I haven't heard of fanny flagg, I will have to check into that. I have heard of Wells, but I don't think I have any of hers... huh.
jen- oh, so you liked it too?? my hubby (B) bought it on our visit to Williamsburg and Virginia, it is intense to go there and see the battlefields...and the numbers of lives lost. Anyway...I didn't know if it was just a "guy book" or if I would like it..so you say I would! Interesting!
jen, where is your blog? couldn't click on your name to go there.
Bethany --
Consider Tobacco Road by Erskine Caldwell. I don't consider this one of my favorite books about the south, but it's definitely one of the most shocking books I've ever read -- and I'm not easily shocked.
Here's what Amazon said about it: Novel by Erskine Caldwell, published in 1932. A tale of violence and sex among rural poor in the American South, the novel was highly controversial in its time. It is the story of Georgia sharecropper Jeeter Lester and his family, who are trapped by the bleak economic conditions of the Depression as well as by their own limited intelligence and destructive sexuality. Its tragic ending is almost foreordained by the characters' inability to change their lives. Caldwell's skillful use of dialect and his plain style made the book one of the best examples of literary naturalism in contemporary American fiction.
What about Charlaine Harris and the Sookie books?
I read Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns and thought it was hilarious!! I also liked Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons and Jewel by Bret Lott.
I just mooched a Fanny Flagg book. And, I also just heard about Girls in Trucks by Katie Crouch which I ordered from the library. If you want to laugh, check out nonfiction book Stop Dressing Your Six Year Old Like a Skank by Celia Rivenbark.
verbatim- I don't know if I could read it, is would depend on how graphic and if the voice was honest or not. But I was actually hoping for some light southern reads...
Thanks for the suggestion though, I will check it out!
j.kaye oldner- Oh, haven't heard of her either!! Thanks so much!! I will see if my library has it!
corinne- Hey! I will look those up at my library too....I always enjoy reading what you have read. Thanks!
tricia- oh, those are some good titles, I think I do need a light funny read...the Stop Dressing Your Six Year Old Like a Skank by Celia Rivenbark sounds like a winner!!! I feel myself thinking that sometimes. haha!
Thank you all for your SUPER-helpful suggestions...I can't wait to get started!!!
b
I'd second the Joshilyn Jackson idea. I liked Gods in Alabama.
If you're interested in YA vampire books, I've got The Society of S and The Year of Disappearances you can have. The first is split between NY and FL, with a brief appearance by Savannah. The second is set in Florida (at least so far). But I'm not sure if setting alone counts.
softdrink- (i love that name by the way)
I haven't ever read a YA vampire book, what is that like?? That sounds really interesting! Have you read a lot of them? I have seen The Society of S on blogs.
Welcome, Bethany! All these book suggestions are great choices; although, I'm unfamiliar w/ softdrink's books. The only requirement is southern setting and author. Go here for more book ideas.
Tobacco Road is a satire, and can be read over night. Here's my review.
I second Trish' suggestion of Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man. That is such a sweet book.
Have fun with the challenge!
Toni McGee Causey. She's got two books out, both since April, and is a lot of fun.
I am also a big fan of Mark Childress. (Read Tender!)
Robert R. McCammon's Boy's Life was brilliant.
And almost anything published by Algonquin Press. They specialize in Southern Lit.
Anything by Joshilynn Jackson. I'm reading Gods in Alabama now and its LOL funny and touching at the same time. I also read one by her with Georgia in the title, can't remember the name but it was good too.
You could go for Gone with the Wind, but its long.
I love stuff by Anne Rivers Siddons its almost all about S. Carolina.
Have fun!
I'm glad to hear your hubby loved The Killer Angels...my daughter and I are going to be reading that later this summer. And if you haven't read To Kill A Mockingbird, you must. Really, you simply must! No matter how many wonderful books I read in my lifetime, TKAM will always rank among my favorites.
maggie-thanks for the sweet welcome!!! Tobacco Road sounds good, I will head on over to your review! I am very happy to do this challenge, since I am so unaware of what even counts as the south!! My hubby was telling me that Texas doesn;t count...can that really be true? He says that Texas is SouthWEST, not south..but I think it is okay, do you?
iliana- well, I will HAVE to check it out then, since you all love it. I can't wait to see why!!! Thanks for your help :)
Susan Helen Gottfried-
Thanks so much for the suggestions!! I will have to check those out! Oh, and I am very interested in Alonquin press, thanks for letting me know about that!
I tried to find a book blog for you, but couldn't I'd love to come leave you a comment if you give me your link! Have a great day.
Mrs. B- Well then, another good vote for jackson!! Thanks, I had better check this gal out before the anticipation kills me :)
I love reading funny stuff. honesty I highly doubt there is ANY way that I could read Gone with the Wind, I won't kid myself. I have never even been able to make if through the movie.
debi- yes, he did and he strongly recommended it to me he says it is great historical fiction. have you ever seen Gettysburg the movie?? he says it is a lot like that, but better. I watched Gettysburg probably 20 times growing up and love it, so I should give Killer Angels a try.....
Yes, I LOVED To Kill A Mockingbird!!! I read it my freshman year of HS and was amazed! I also love Uncle Toms Cabin- a super read!
Thanks again all of you!!!! I only needed three and you guys (well gals) stepped up and gave me TONS! Now I will have to pick, oh, that will be even harder!!!:)
you guys are awesome!many thanks!!
The Sweet Potato Queens is funny and very southern! Also Garden Spells and The Sugar Queen are both set in North Carolina and have that southern charm.
lisaMM-
Oh, those are some that I have been itching to read, I have read all of you people's reviews of them and I am going wild! I want to read them!! I just hate buying new books at new book prices...but I may have to :).
There's always the library!! I bet Garden Spells would be there.. not sure about the other two.
lisamm- tru dat! haha...I know...I just love them even more if they are MINE! but you are right, then I will know if I want to buy them when they come out at "used" prices!!!
Thanks...my hubby always reminds me of that too!!! It is a very good reminder :)
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