On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

At the In Memorium thread I suggested that one way we can honor the passing of friend and fellow Trail member Kirk Smith is to choose a book from his bookshelf and think of it as a final request, or recommendation at least, from a good friend. Once you have read it, post your thoughts or comments about it here. Here is a link to Kirk’s Favorites List.

Those who desire to leave a more tangible memorial to Kirk can make a donation in his name to the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Library System, or any other library for that matter. The donation link for the OKC Library is here.

Last year I read A Covenant With Death because LeAnne had said Kirk recommended it to her and it was one of her best reads of last year. Sure enough, I found myself enjoying it. I have also read Keepers of the House, which was a group read last year, that was on Kirk's favorite shelf. I doubt I would have read either had they not been recommended by him to the group. I hope to uncover more gems like these from his shelves.

My husband reminded me today that yes, kirk has influenced our reads but we also influenced his reads. That's something special. It was a balanced relationship.

I have been interested in The Help and Cannery Row for awhile. I can't necessary read them this year but will schedule them for early next year in his honor.

Kirk recommended The Moviegoer to me a while back and I never got around to reading it. I will do that now and be sorry that I cannot discuss it with him or tell him how I feel about it.

This is a great idea. So many books on there I have wanted to get to. I think I'll read The Keepers of the House, as Kirk said it in his review that it was his highest recommendation for a book about the South next to To Kill a Mockingbird. If I can't find a copy, I'll probably read The Moviegoer or Deadline at Dawn.

Laura wrote: "My husband reminded me today that yes, kirk has influenced our reads but we also influenced his reads. That's something special. It was a balanced relationship."

Very true, Laura. Well stated.

Excellent idea Tom.
I placed a library contribution.
and plan to read The Help

In remembrance and honor of the well-lived life of Kirk Smith and his special circle of friends here, I will read "The Tall Woman" in October, thanks to the lend from Diane B. A special guy, a special group and, based on Kirk's review, a very special book.

John wrote: "Excellent idea Tom.
I placed a library contribution.
and plan to read The Help"

I loved this book and the movie

I have been slow to comment on Kirk's death -- not because I didn't want to -- but because I needed time to process what occurred.

I didn't know Kirk as long as some of you on the Trail knew him, but we became friends when we learned that we had over two hundred books in common. Even before we had become friends I had been reading and enjoying his reviews and comments.

One of the strengths of his reviews, among others, was how he cut to the chase. They were rarely very long, sometimes only a single paragraph, but he sure packed a lot into a few words, unlike some others who say a lot, but say less (I'm looking in the mirror.).

I don't possess the faith or the wisdom to understand what happened to this good man, but I will miss his wit and common sense here on the Trail.

I will be reading a book that has been on my TBR list for a long time and was one of Kirk's favorites: "The Clearing" by Tim Gautreaux. Kirk rated it five stars and reviewed it with one incisive sentence that made me want to read the book. I already know I will never be able to follow his example.

Howard what kind and true words you have shared with us. I also loved kirk's to the point reviews. You have chosen a great favorite of Kirks.

Howard wrote: "I will be reading a book that has been on my TBR list for a long time and was one of Kirk's favorites: "The Clearing" by Tim Gautreaux. Kirk rated it five stars and reviewed it with one incisive sentence that made me want to read the book. .."


The Clearing is one of the first Southern Lit books that I read, long before I even knew Southern Lit was a thing. It's a marvelously stark book, the setting of which I can recall just by closing my eyes.

There are three books on Kirk's shelves that I am going to make sure to read.
1. The Tall Woman, because he recommended it and also because Laura was kind enough to send me an extra copy she had (Thanks again!).
2. The Keepers of the House because Kirk berated himself for letting this set on his shelf unread for 10 years. The least I can do is make sure I learned from his mistake.
3. The Long and Faraway Gone - This isn't on his favorites and he only gave it three stars but his review suggests that the author's understanding and portrayal of Kirk's hometown is so accurate that it may serve to give me a better understanding of our departed friend.

There should be a word, a very nuanced word perhaps French,for how one feels when an author has written about your home,your city,with absolute clarity,deep understanding,and detailed exposure. One word where you feel: uncomfortable, intrigued, exposed, and proud all at the same time.***It is said that authors do well to "write what they know",and Berney does just that in accurately depicting Oklahoma City. All streets and locales are actual names and locations. This book could be used as a tour guide! Crime scenes and a few characters are fiction, but the majority of the characters populating this book are real. He even identifies his coffee and cupcake shop by its actual name (three blocks from my house).***I found peripheral characters that by description alone caused me to recall their first names. This book hits too close to home for me to be a fair judge, but it is definitely authentic!

Tom wrote: "Howard wrote: "I will be reading a book that has been on my TBR list for a long time and was one of Kirk's favorites: "The Clearing" by Tim Gautreaux. Kirk rated it five stars and reviewed it with ..."

I haven't read the other two books, but "The Tall Woman" is a powerful book.

Chandler wrote: "In remembrance and honor of the well-lived life of Kirk Smith and his special circle of friends here, I will read "The Tall Woman" in October, thanks to the lend from Diane B. A special guy, a spec..."

It is a very special book, Chandler.

I just looked through some of Kirk's books and found we had so many in common. I do wish I had shared book talk with him while I could. I have added my first book from his list, The Southern Woman: New and Selected Fiction, and just found a copy at Amazon and bought it. Thank you for starting this wonderful project.

I also want to add to the chorus of praise for The Tall Woman.

As I mentioned in an earlier comment, I decided to read "The Clearing," one of Kirk's favorite books. Here is his review of the book:

Testosterone fueled, violence laden, and pleasantly complex.

I always admired his ability to distill a book in a few words. I only came close once when I reviewed "Serena" with one word and an exclamation mark: "Wow!" But most of the time I write more than is necessary, but I'm working on it.

Here is my review of "The Clearing":

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

After Kirk's death, I read a FB post by one of his friends that said he had had 5 great conversations in his life, and 3 of them were with Kirk Smith. I imagine his ability to cut to the chase in just a few words had a lot to do with that.

Diane wrote: "After Kirk's death, I read a FB post by one of his friends that said he had had 5 great conversations in his life, and 3 of them were with Kirk Smith. I imagine his ability to cut to the chase in j..."
Agreed

I read The Missing. Kirk had recommended it to me a long while back. I'm just sorry I didn't read it in time to let him know how much I loved it. I know that I will now read The Clearing as well.

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

I keep wishing I had known Kirk better. Diane, that is a remarkable thing for anyone to say about another person!

Sara wrote: "I read The Missing. Kirk had recommended it to me a long while back. I'm just sorry I didn't read it in time to let him know how much I loved it. I know that I will now read Th.."

I would like to read that one as well. I loved The Clearing

Being a newer member of this group I knew nothing of Kirk until his death was announced. It has been a bit extraordinary reading all the comments from all of you about him, a man you never met but knew from the heart. Over a lifetime I have read many quotes about books and those who love them. Kirk's presence here and the way many of you felt about him and he towards you just adds to that treasure chest of the power and love of literature.
I have added a couple of his favorites to my list.

Cathrine, a lot of my book friends are closer to me than people I've known for years. I think it's because we share so many thoughts and feelings with the books we love.

I agree. Sharing your feelings about books can sometimes open up areas that you never tread into with even the closest of friends who do not read.

I am still determined to read Cannery Row and hopefully will get to it before the end of the year if not I will include it in January.

Sara, I love the way you have said that. So true. And it's something I didn't expect when I joined Goodreads but I love so much.

Folks, tomorrow- October 10th is Kirk's birthday, a good day to tell one of your reading friends how much they mean to you. Maybe donate a book or take a sail, stroll through the out of doors, and kiss your beloved. Carpe Diem!

Here's to you, Kirk.

Muah LeAnne, Sue, Diane, Melki,
Now!
i be shaking hands w Tom and Mike don't ya know. Because of you guys I'm a little softer around the edges. (Especially you, Sue)

Actually all of you that come to visit here in the room are gracious, intelligent, and wise. The day goes a little bit easier with you around. I just wouldn't be the same without you.

Awww, John! That was a great way to start my morning. Soft around the edges doesn't cut it, you are an absolute teddy bear. The few hard edges you have left just make you more interesting.

John wrote: "Muah LeAnne, Sue, Diane, Melki,
Now!
i be shaking hands w Tom and Mike don't ya know. Because of you guys I'm a little softer around the edges. (Especially you, Sue)."

That's very kind of you, John. This is indeed a good day to reach out to friends and let you know how you feel about them. Friday night I called my sister just to talk to her (about books among other things) and her final remark to me was "Is it windy there? It's really windy here." Within hours, her house, cottages, cars and barn were all destroyed and they were fleeing for their lives. There are thousands more still in the path of the fires so please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Oh, Tom, I am so sorry about your sister...but so glad she is out of the way and can tell the tale. The frequency and fury of these fires seems to keep increasing. Prayers for all!

BTW, John, I like Teddy Bears! And, I am grateful to have found this group and all you wonderful people.

I hope your sister's family are all OK, Tom. Things can be replaced, although that's no consolation when you've lost everything.

I know, Diane, and am very grateful that they made it out. It's kind of hard to feel that way, though, when you realize that one of those things was the cradle that was use to rock every member of our family for four generations.

It's a reality check, but a difficult one. Thanks for the concern.

John wrote: "Muah LeAnne, Sue, Diane, Melki,
Now!
i be shaking hands w Tom and Mike don't ya know. Because of you guys I'm a little softer around the edges. (Especially you, Sue)

Actually all of you that com..."

Thanks John. We've had a lot of conversations haven't we. This is a great place to talk and share and find new friends. Books really can bring us together.

Tom wrote: "I know, Diane, and am very grateful that they made it out. It's kind of hard to feel that way, though, when you realize that one of those things was the cradle that was use to rock every member of ..."

Tom I'm so sorry for what's happening to your family. these fires are horrific. I'm glad your sister and family are alright but that kind of loss is huge.

Tom wrote: "I know, Diane, and am very grateful that they made it out. It's kind of hard to feel that way, though, when you realize that one of those things was the cradle that was use to rock every member of ..."

Oh, Tom ... what horrible news. So glad your sister and family are safe

John, you're s sweetheart!

Tom, after Katrina, I totally understand. Just love each other.

Tom, I feel so bad for your sister losing her home in the fires. It's been such a horrible year for disasters.

Oh Tom, that's terrible news. My heart goes out to you. We're all so fragile.

John wrote: "Oh Tom, that's terrible news. My heart goes out to you. We're all so fragile."

If I were religiously inclined I'd be thinking that God was testing our resilience.

The earth is definitely being tested, I believe Tom, so we are too. How many record breaking disasters can happen before it becomes obvious and can't be ignored any more. California said today it's the largest disaster in state history. I feel so awful for your sister's family and all of the hundreds of others caught up in this horror.

I just read Cannery Row and enjoyed it. I have both The Moviegoer and The Tall Woman to read next year. I look at this list from time to time as it is a comprehensive look at the human experience.

Brina, what a great way to describe his reading list. That's what we all should be aiming for.

Yes we should. The other two books I have read from this list- A Covenant With Death and Keepers of the House- pertain to that as well. This really is a comprehensive list and hopefully one day I will get to all of the books listed on it.

September 1 is the one year anniversary of Kirk’s death. How lucky were we to call him friend?
.
https://m.legacy.com/obituaries/oklah...

LeAnne wrote: "September 1 is the one year anniversary of Kirk’s death. How lucky were we to call him friend?
.
https://m.legacy.com/obituaries/oklah......"

I agree. I only knew Kirk for a brief time here, but I'm glad I got to know him.