On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

I'll be reading both our October group reads. This past week I read A Lesson Before Dying, thanks to Jessie's post regarding Ernest Gaines; A Land More Kind Than Homeby Wiley Cash, a student of Ernest Gaines; The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers, a powerful novel of the Iraq War. And now I'm cruising through Salvation on Sand Mountain: Snake Handling and Redemption in Southern Appalachia by Dennis Covington. So, if it seems I've been in a galaxy far, far away, I have been. And for those of you considering going to the Southern Festival of the Book in Nashville, Daniel Woodrell WILL be there. I'm far behind on my reviewing, but I don't mind, considering the wonderful reads I've been enjoying.

Everitt wrote: I've got a couple of books started, but none appeal enough to finish them ahead of these other reads. the only possible exception si A.S. Byatt's Possession, which I should finish at some point. I feel like it is one of those books people have just read at some point and I feel left out... Kidding. Not really. Yes really. Okay maybe a little.
..."

I started Possession a few years ago and had to quit. One of the few I just couldn't do ... but I still have it on my tbr list. One day I'll find the patience.

Now, about Winter's Bone the movie ... ! I'm looking forward to starting the book soon to see how closely it follows. It was a good movie to watch. I guess I don't mind slow in movies. :)

Other books up this month:

Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks,
The Little Women: A Novel by Katharine White,
Folded Leaf by William Maxwell,
White Heat: The Friendship of Emily Dickinson and Thomas Wentworth Higginson by Brenda Wineapple,
Who Chose the Gospels?: Probing the Great Gospel Conspiracy by Charles E. Hill
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sajie, and
The Case for Israel by Alan Dershowitz.

Other than our group reads, I plan to read "Cloud Atlas" by David Mitchell, and "The Hobbit" because I'd like to see both those movies. I read "The Hobbit" as a teen-ager, but that was a LONG time ago. I will also read "Robinson Crusoe" for my real person bookclub. (as opposed to goodreads). I'd love to have time to read more, but working for a living is still a necessity for me.

I just finished reading The Group by Mary McCarthy.It was controversial when it came out in 1963 and made something of a comeback in the late 80s.

Here is an interesting article about the book and author from a British point of view:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/...

I didn't find much time to read in September, but I hope October is better! I did manage to read some sci-fi by one of my favorite authors, James White, and a short story collection, Stories of Your Life and Others, by Ted Chiang.

I really like A.S. Byatt and have read "Possession" and "The Children's Book" by her in the past. I'm a super Tolkien geek, but "The Hobbit" is not my favorite. I am, however, looking forward to the films!

Right now I'm reading several books, 2 of which take place in the South, Creole Belle by James Lee Burke and Flannery O'Connor's A Good Man Is Hard to Find and Other Stories.

The other books I'm reading are Cloud Atlas, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell and Colony by F.G.Cottam.

Does anyone besides me have a love/hate relationsip with GR? I fluctuate on a daily basis between "OMG, how did I miss this book and/or author?", and "OMG, the to-be-read list is already out of control!" What
would a 12-step program for addicted readers consist of? Not that I would take the cure; I LOVE my addiction.

Diane wrote: "Does anyone besides me have a love/hate relationsip with GR? I fluctuate on a daily basis between "OMG, how did I miss this book and/or author?", and "OMG, the to-be-read list is already out of ..."

Once a reader, always a reader. There is no cure. Nor should there be. The gift of literature gives us a life time of learning and understanding all those who share this big blue ball on which we spin out our days.

The reading goes ever on. I'm nearly done with Away Down South: A History of Southern Identity. Not to discourage any readers, this has been a tough one for me. This is NO light read. Be warned that Cobb writes extensively on a number of books by Southern authors, replete with full plots. Spoilers abound.

Thanks to Jessie, I've learned to love Ernest Gaines, having flashed through A Lesson Before Dying and A Gathering of Old Men. I've yet to review either. My reading has taken priority over reviewing. And my fingers are reaching toward Gaine's The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman

I do urge all of you to consider reviewing your reads. Not only do they encourage other readers to pick up those books, your goodreads reviews serve as a wonderful reader's journal for you. And, please consider supporting our group's reviewers. It serves as a way of bringing others to join our group.

Next up, Bastard Out of Carolina. This will be a second go around for me. Looking forward to my second journey with "Bone."

And, it's time for another Welty read for me. I'm going with The Robber Bridegroom.

As always, I've picked up the latest copy of The Oxford American. This issue focuses on Southern Journalism. And the forthcoming issue is the annual MUSIC issue. This issue will focus on the music of Louisiana. It should be a treat.

Happy reading!

Mike
Lawyer Stevens

How did you like A Lesson Before Dying? It was one of the books I had to write my final exam about. And it was definitely one of the better books from the list of required reading for school.

At the moment I'm reading Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell and Brave New World.
What I will be reading after that, I don't know. I just had my first "Introduction to English Literature" lecture in college today and really looking forward to the books I'll have to read for that. From what I heard today, that is exactly the course I have been waiting for all the past years!

Marlene wrote: "How did you like A Lesson Before Dying? It was one of the books I had to write my final exam about. And it was definitely one of the better books from the list of required reading for school.

At ..."

I found it deeply moving. Jefferson was not the only one receiving the lesson. So was the teacher, the sheriff, and the deputies, and it was Jefferson who was teaching all of them he was a man worthy of respect and dignity. The injustice of Jefferson's fate still haunts me.

Keep me posted on your reading list, Scout. I'll be interested to know what's coming up.

Atticus

I just finished all of William Gay's books and loved them. So sad and disappointed he passed away. Does anyone happen to know the status of his Lost Country novel? If there plans to publish it? I really hope so!

I'm currently reading Edgerton's Floatplane Notebooks. He's always a treat.

I'm planning to check out Larry Brown and Ron Rash next.

Not really southern lit, but I'm telling anyone who will listen about a guy named Jon Clinch. Great American lit! Finn is an amazing book, albeit dark and violent. Kings of the Earth is a Felice Brothers song come to life.

Alex, I'll second your bravo for Kings of the Earth. It's a great read. I have Finn on my tbr. I've also heard great things about Ron Rash. Not sure what I'll read next.

At the moment I'm finishing up Cloud Atlas. I can't imagine how this can be made into a film. I'm also reading Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Whispers Under Ground (a British paranormal police procedural--3rd in series), Judgment Call: A Brady Novel of Suspense. Also plan to begin Gate of the Sun shortly.

Then I'll add in southern reading again, probably The Complete Stories

Diane wrote: "Does anyone besides me have a love/hate relationship with GR? I fluctuate on a daily basis between "OMG, how did I miss this book and/or author?", and "OMG, the to-be-read list is already out of ..."

I LOVE GR. It combines my obsessions perfectly! I'm a book reader AND an obsessive list maker. Woo hoo! I've found a home. :)