On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

I am now accepting nominations for our February, 2017, group reads.

So, readers, what will it be this next month? Tell us. We want to know. I can hardly wait to receive your nominations. Our group continues to grow. As of this morning, membership stands at 1,313. Oh, I know, our more conversive members do not reflect those numbers. But I want everyone to know, I'm happy to have each one of you a member of this group. If you find one book here that captures your imagination, I believe this group has accomplished this purpose for you. Never feel compelled to launch into a discourse. On the other hand, know your thoughts are valued by each of us who read them. Each of you is very special to me, and I know I speak for each of my fellow moderators.

Along the way, a new member suggested, here's a bit of information you need to know about nominations. Many of you consider this old hat. But I do consider it helpful to our newly joined members.

You may nominate a work in TWO categories. Those categories are PRE-1980 and POST-1980. Those dates refer to WHEN a book was PUBLISHED. Not when a book was set in time.

The book SHOULD be a work of SOUTHERN LITERATURE. Just what is that? Well, I could write a book on the subject. But, very briefly, a work of Southern literature is written by an author born in the South dealing with Southern settings, characters, historical eventssuch as the Civil War, Reconstruction, and many more. Think William Faulkner. However, it may also be a work by a Southern writer who has LEFT the South, who lives, for instance, in Brooklyn, New York, who observes life with the values of his growing up in the South. A Prime example would be Sophie's Choice by William Styron.

But, to broaden the definition, hopefully not to confuse you, a work can be Southern literature, even when written by an author born in the North. Think Beloved by Toni Morrison, a work you will find on many "Lists of Best Southern Literature."

Now to the nitty gritty. I accept SIX nominations in each category. OR, the Nominations remain open for FIVE DAYS. The nominations are CLOSED upon receiving the required number of nominations or the passage of five days, WHICH EVER HAPPENS FIRST. I then set up the POLLS on which YOU VOTE.

Many of our members have been around since I founded this group in February, 2012. The group has changed in membership since it was formed. I recognize that newer members may wish to read a novel which has been previously chosen as a group read. AND WE DO THAT! However, I ask that you NOT NOMINATE A WORK READ WITHIN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF. Groups work best where everyone plays well with others. How do you know WHAT HAS BEEN READ WHEN? Go to the BOOKSHELF on the GROUP'S HOMEPAGE. SEARCH for the title you're interested in. You will see if a work has been read before and when it was. And, of course, if you have a question, e-mail me via goodreads. I'll let you know.

AUTHORS IN THE GROUP--YOU MAY NOT NOMINATE YOUR OWN WORK.

I'm sure some of you may have other questions. You may always write to me through goodreads e-mail. I ALWAYS respond. It may not be right away. All of us have lives outside the goodreads community. BUT I ALWAYS RESPOND!

ONE LAST THING! I believe in this group being member driven. I do not nominate. I do note vote. My fellow moderators do. I couldn't do without them. As a group, each of us take turns offering an alternate read each month called the MODERATOR'S CHOICE.
And, a question for YOU! Have suggestions to improve "The Trail"? Just let me know. Write me with your suggestions. The Mod Squad listens to you.

So, have at it. What do we have in store for us in January, 2017?

Happy Reading,
Mike Sullivan
"Lawyer Stevens"

For post-1980 I nominate News of the World. I've got 20 pages to go and it is one of the most delightful reads of this year for me! Southern author and Southern location assuming Texas counts. :)

Suzy wrote: "For post-1980 I nominate News of the World. I've got 20 pages to go and it is one of the most delightful reads of this year for me! Southern author and Southern location assuming Te..."

I was going to nominate something else but the truth is I would really rather read this one.

Suzy wrote: "For post-1980 I nominate News of the World. I've got 20 pages to go and it is one of the most delightful reads of this year for me! Southern author and Southern location assuming Te..."

Suzy, thank you for your nomination of News of the World by Paulette Jiles. Yes, Texas is definitely counted among the Southern states and Texas authors have contributed much to the genre of Southern Literature.

Texas is very much a hybrid state. It is quite Southern in character in Eastern Texas, where the woods of the "Big Thicket" grow. To me, it retains much of its Southern character. From Dallas/ Fort Worth, Texas is more "Cowboy" or Western in character. Some might argue that the setting of this novel is NOT Southern. I disagree. Your suggestion is nominated, Post-1980. Again, my thanks!

Great nomination, Suzy. This is a great read. I read it a few weeks ago, but will gladly re-read if it's chosen.

For post 1980 I nominate Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race.

News of the World made my best of 2016. It is a delightful book. I would definitely join in discussions.

For pre 1980: Crime of the Night by Beth Henley. Won the Pulitzer for drama 1957.

For post 1980 I nominate Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean. Trying to get Florida more represented ;)

For pre I nominate Evelyn Scott s The Wave 1929

For post what about Bahr s The Black Flower ? I ll nominate that although I did enjoy News of the World this year

How about All The Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy post 1980. Not sure if truly southern other than setting in Texas.

Guy wrote: "How about All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy post 1980. Not sure if truly southern other than setting in Texas."

Funny. That very book flitted through my mind about an hour ago. That was the first McCarthy I ever read.

Jane wrote: "For post what about Bahr's The Black Flower: A Novel of the Civil War ? I ll nominate that although I did enjoy News of the World this year"

And this is the one I deferred when I saw that News of the World was nominated. There are a lot of great nominations this month!

Post 1985:
Paradise Sky
A Library Journal Best Book of 2015!

A rollicking novel about Nat Love, an African-American cowboy with a famous nickname: Deadwood Dick.

Young Willie is on the run, having fled his small Texas farm when an infamous local landowner murdered his father. A man named Loving takes him in and trains him in the fine arts of shooting, riding, reading, and gardening. When Loving dies, Willie re-christens himself Nat Love in tribute to his mentor, and heads west.

In Deadwood, South Dakota Territory, Nat becomes a Buffalo Soldier and is befriended by Wild Bill Hickok. After winning a famous shooting match, Nat's peerless marksmanship and charm earn him the nickname Deadwood Dick, as well as a beautiful woman. But the hellhounds are still on his trail, and they brutally attack Nat Love's love. Pursuing the men who have driven his wife mad, Nat heads south for a final, deadly showdown against those who would strip him of his home, his love, his freedom, and his life. (less)

For pre-1980, I nominate Faulkner's The Mansion. Although best read as the third book on the Snopes, it can work as a standalone. I have not read it in a long time, and I have never read it in a group.

Post Internet;
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
all the contenders for the title of The Great American Novel, none has a better claim than The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Intended at first as a simple story of a boy's adventures in the Mississippi Valley - a sequel to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer - the book grew and matured under Twain's hand into a work of immeasurable richness and complexity. More than a century after its publication, the critical debate over the symbolic significance of Huck's and Jim's voyage is still fresh, and it remains a major work that can be enjoyed at many levels: as an incomparable adventure story and as a classic of American humor. (less)

Brina wrote: "For pre 1980: Crime of the Night by Beth Henley. Won the Pulitzer for drama 1957."

I think Brina Means Crimes of the Heart for POST 1980. It won the Pulitzer for drama in 1981 and was first published in 1982.

Doug thank you. Half the time my phone works faster than I do. I withdraw Orchid Thief and keep Crimes of the Night for post 1980

I meant Crimes of the Heart. I give up with this phone ha ha.

Pre 1980: Everglades of Grass by Marjory Stoneman Douglas.

I'd like to nominate Pale Horse, Pale Rider: The Short Stories for Pre-1980. Porter is described as a master of the short story form and won a Pulitzer for them.

Brina I have the same phone as you !

Jane thank you for making me smile :-). To be clear:

Post: Crimes of the Heart by Beth Henley

Pre: Everglades of Glass by Marjory Stoneman Douglas

Doug wrote: "Brina wrote: "For pre 1980: Crime of the Night by Beth Henley. Won the Pulitzer for drama 1957."

I think Brina Means Crimes of the Heart for POST 1980. It won the Pulitzer for drama..."

Actually, according to Wikipedia, "Henley completed her play in 1978 and submitted it to several regional theatres without success. Unknown to her, a friend entered it in the Great American Play Contest at the Actors Theatre of Louisville. The play was first performed in February 1979 at the Actors Theatre Louisville"

Based on that, I suggest that Brina be allowed to keep both of her original nominations as submitted.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, though, is another story. I was unable to confirm that it was written in the 'post-internet age. I suggest that be submitted as a pre-1980 selection. Please!

Crimes of the Heart wasn't published until 1982, Tom. Just sayin'.

Tom it's ok. I have been going through Pulitzer lists for challenges for next year and forgot to write the dates down for a lot of my selections. I think Crimes of the Heart sounds like it could generate much discussion so I don't need to keep my other post 1980 selection.

Faith wrote: "For post 1980 I nominate Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race."

Faith, a fascinating topic. Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly is nominated, Post-1980. That's TWO! Thanks, Faith.

Jane wrote: "For pre I nominate Evelyn Scott s The Wave 1929"

Thanks, Jane. The Wave by Evelyn Scott is nominated, Pre-1980. One for the PRE 80 category.

Doug wrote: "Brina wrote: "For pre 1980: Crime of the Night by Beth Henley. Won the Pulitzer for drama 1957."

I think Brina Means Crimes of the Heart for POST 1980. It won the Pulitzer for drama..."

Yep. Thanks, Brina, and Doug. Crimes of the Heart by Beth Henley is nominated Post-1980. That's THREE!

Doug wrote: "I'd like to nominate [boo[author:Katherine Anne Porter|74572]k:Pale Horse, Pale Rider: The Short Stories|11456985] for Pre-1980. Porter is described as a master of the short story form and won a Pulitzer for them."

Doug, good one! Pale Horse, Pale Rider by Katherine Anne Porter is nominated, Pre-1980. THREE for PRE.

Jane wrote: "For post what about Bahr s The Black Flower ? I ll nominate that although I did enjoy News of the World this year"

Yes, Jane! My favorite by Howard Bahr. The Black Flower: A Novel of the Civil War is nominated, Post-1980. That's FOUR.

Guy wrote: "How about All The Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy post 1980. Not sure if truly southern other than setting in Texas."

Excellent, Guy. All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy is nominated, Post-1980. That's FIVE.

Mike, I'm counting 6 for post, and 5 for pre.

Pre: The Wave
The Mansion
Huckleberry Finn
Pale Horse, Pale Rider
Everglades of Glass

Post: News of the World
Hidden Figures
Crimes of the Heart
All the Pretty Horses
The Black Flower
Paradise Sky

Tina wrote: "Post 1985:
Paradise Sky
A Library Journal Best Book of 2015!

A rollicking novel about Nat Love, an African-American cowboy with a famous nickname: Deadwood Dick.

Young Willie is ..."

Tina, I've had this one in my stack for a while! Paradise Sky by Joe R. Lansdale is nominated, Post-1980. That's SIX! Nominations for the Post-1980 Group Read are now closed.

Maybe our posts are crossing each other.

Joey wrote: "For pre-1980, I nominate Faulkner's The Mansion. Although best read as the third book on the Snopes, it can work as a standalone. I have not read it in a long time, and I have never r..."

Joey, what a treat. The Mansion by William Faulkner is nominated Pre-1980. That's FOUR for Pre-1980.

Tina wrote: "Post Internet;
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
all the contenders for the title of The Great American Novel, none has a better claim than The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Intende..."

Chuckle. Tina, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is nominated PRE-Internet, Pre-1980. That's FIVE for Pre-1980.

Brina wrote: "Jane thank you for making me smile :-). To be clear:

Post: Crimes of the Heart by Beth Henley

Pre: Everglades of Glass by Marjory Stoneman Douglas"

Yep. I also have the same phone with a mind of its own. AHEM. And a Tablet, and a Laptop. The Everglades: River of Grass by Marjory Stoneman Douglas is nominated Pre-1980. That makes SIX. The nominations are CLOSED.

Diane wrote: "Maybe our posts are crossing each other."

Yep. Our Polls are crossing one another! Laughing. OK, OK, OK. Dang. I can't COUNT anymore. We DO need another nomination for Pre-1980! I'm tellin' you, this Christmas season in summer time down here in New Zealand is messing with my mind. AHEM....

Mike at least it's summer where you are :-)

Diane wrote: "Mike, I'm counting 6 for post, and 5 for pre.

Pre: The Wave
The Mansion
Huckleberry Finn
Pale Horse, Pale Rider
Everglades of Glass

Post: News of the World
Hidden Figures
Crimes of the Heart
All ..."

I nominated News of the World very early on (message #2) for post-1980. I would be disappointed if it was not included in the poll. Thanks.

Suzy wrote: "I nominated News of the World very early on (message #2) for post-1980. I would be disappointed if it was not included in the poll. Thanks.

No worries, Suzy. News of the World will be in the poll. I miscounted the nominations on the Pre-1980 Category. I'm one short there.

Oops it was my goof. Paradise Sky is Post 1985.

If they are all not nominated yet for post 1980 , I just wanted to remind y'all that I did not read an advanced copy of Michael Farris Smith's novel that will be released on February 2, 2017 ! I believe it is called Desperation Road !

It is coming out with 4.4 stars everywhere I look ! I am so ready to read it as a group like we did last time ! He was a great author to read together! Action packed and his characters were sandbagged to the max !

As far as pre- 1980 I would love to read the first of Howard Bahr's Civil War books so leave that be ! HA!

As for News of the World ! I read it when they were choosing National book awards and Pulitzer Prizes ! It is a great book !

Dawn

Dawn wrote: "If they are all not nominated yet for post 1980 , I just wanted to remind y'all that I did not read an advanced copy of Michael Farris Smith's novel that will be released on February 2, 2017 ! I be..."

I was mailed an ARC of Desperation Road and asked to do an early review this summer - it is outstanding in character development and in building tension. Igave it 5 stars. That said, it does not come out until the middle of the month. Maybe waiting until March nominations are called for could work better if people choose to vote for it.

As an aside, the story is set in a little town where my husbands family is from, and we will be spending the holidays there. The author is from another little town just 20 minutes down the road, so we can tell you firsthand that everything he writes is resoundingly real. So good!!

I think we already have 6 nominations for Feb. Put it up for March, Dawn. I'm dying to read it myself.

Y'all - just talked w Michael Farris Smith. Whenever we are up for it, he'd be happy to do another author chat. March sound good?

I will happily give myself a March gift of this book. I loved Rivers and would enjoy doing another.

I'm in. I think Laura has MOD choice for March, maybe she would consent to that one, if she doesn't already have something in mind.