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Zorro wrote: "I am sorry to say that this group and most all of the threads seems to be a place to tell people to "go read my review", instead of a place to actually discuss books that we choose to discuss for t..."

When I post a review, which believe it or not they take a lot of time, it usually inspires a lot of great discussion in the thread below the review. So even though I may have been remiss in adding to the discussion on this group site I do feel I am promoting the books that this group nominates. I have also sent many people to this group to join. I met those people because they read my review and asked me about On the Southern Literary Trail group. By the way I always credit OSLT as the reason I'm reading the book.

If the group believes that posting a link to my review is merely for self-promotion and not a way of promoting interest in the book than I will desist in posting links to my reviews. The point as always for me is getting more people to read the books I like and keep finding more members for this group.

Jeffrey, I look forward to your reviews and always get a lot on insight from them. I feel they are very valid in discussions of the books we read as a group. Not all discussion has to be in one link as far as I'm concerned. One of the great things about ŷ������ is the ability to jump around at will and discover different opinions and books and people. Please keep doing your wonderful, intricate reviews, and the same for everyone else who takes the time to be so thorough. I appreciate them.

Mike wrote: "Zorro wrote: "I am sorry to say that this group and most all of the threads seems to be a place to tell people to "go read my review", instead of a place to actually discuss books that we choose to..."

I love your reviews and all the reviews from the OSLT group. These were actually why I joined. I wish I could write such wonderful reviews. Thanks so much

Jeffrey wrote: "Zorro wrote: "I am sorry to say that this group and most all of the threads seems to be a place to tell people to "go read my review", instead of a place to actually discuss books that we choose to..."

Please do not stop writing your reviews for the OSLT. I have chosen many books to read from the ŷ������ reviews. As I said in my comment to Mike. I wish I could write such wonderful reviews. Thank you

Everitt wrote: "Zorro wrote: "I am sorry to say that this group and most all of the threads seems to be a place to tell people to "go read my review", instead of a place to actually discuss books that we choose to..."

I only post the link to my review to let people know where it is in case they want to read it. No one is obligated to do so.

Sue wrote: "Everitt wrote: "Zorro wrote: "I am sorry to say that this group and most all of the threads seems to be a place to tell people to "go read my review", instead of a place to actually discuss books t..."

Thanks for all the time each of you take in writing your reviews. I love reading all of them

Diane wrote: "I really enjoy the reviews. Well-written ones add to my understanding and perception of the books, and often bring up points of view that would never have occurred to me. I especially like review..."

I, too, enjoy reading reviews from other members in the group. It provides a nice jumping off point for discussions, and often times highlights an idea I missed or hadn't considered. I'm enjoying the discussions, and have really enjoyed broadening my once-limited Southern Literature exposure. Let's keep on reading, reviewing, and discussing ... forever!

I'm plowing through In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin at break-neck speed; it's fascinating.

I'm thoroughly enjoying Pillar of Fire: America in the King Years 1963-65, the first of a trilogy of the American Civil Rights Movement during the King years by Taylor Branch. It is an amazing story of remarkable forerunners to Martin Luther King, Jr, including his father, and the building of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church within sight of the steps of the State Capital of Alabama. Coming up on Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. A remarkable read.

Over half done with Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. The voice of Janie Starks is truly one of the earliest voices of feminist literature I can recall.

I have read The Black Flower: A Novel of the Civil War by Howard Bahr twice. I'll be returning to Bushrod Carter's story of the battle of Franklin. For those interested in the context of the battle itself, I recommend Shrouds of Glory: From Atlanta to Nashville--The Last Great Campaign of the Civil War by Winston Groom, a wonderfully accessible historian in addition to a fine novelist. For those interested in a shorter history of Franklin, you may find it in the third volume of The Civil War: A Narrative by the remarkable Shelby Foote.

Foote was involved (dang I'm too old to remember how) in some beautiful films in I guess probably the '70s, maybe the 80's. They often featured his daughter. They were transportive.

Deborah wrote: "Foote was involved (dang I'm too old to remember how) in some beautiful films in I guess probably the '70s, maybe the 80's. They often featured his daughter. They were transportive."

Faulkner was a mentor to Foote. He once said Foote would make a fine writer if he would only stop writing about the Civil War. *grin* I was captivated by Foote's segments on Ken Burns' "The Civil War."

Everitt wrote: "In addition to Their Eyes Were Watching God I am reading The Hobbit and preping for what I hope is an amazing movie trilogy."

A trilogy? ARRRRRRGGGGHHHHH! That is sheer torture. I feverishly awaited each segment of The Lord of the Rings. The Hobbit is the shortest volume by far. Well, perhaps I'll live to see the completion of it. *grin*

Mike

I too re-read "The Hobbit" to prep for the movie, but didn't realize it would be a trilogy. That stinks. I am now reading "The Black Flower" and loving it. Just finished "The End of Your Life Book Club" by Will Schwalbe. I sent the author an email to tell him how much I liked the book, and he sent me the most amazing reply. It's a great book for anyone who loves books, about his mother's losing battle with pancreatic cancer and their book club of 2 to help her get through chemotherapy and doctor appointments. It was not a bit depressing, as some people I recommend it to fear, because his mother was such a lovely, brave woman. It's more a celebration of her life and spirit.

I'm reading The Black Flower: A Novel of the Civil War and I like it--it's different from anything I've read before I believe. I'm also reading Nabakov's autobiography Speak, Memory, a Dutch mystery Outsider in Amsterdam, and the latest from John Sandford, Mad River. That last one I have to read quickly since it's a new book--no renewals.

Sue wrote: "I'm reading The Black Flower: A Novel of the Civil War and I like it--it's different from anything I've read before I believe. I'm also reading Nabakov's autobiography Speak, Memory, a Dutch myster..."

I'm happy to hear you're reading The Black Flower: A Novel of the Civil War. That's up next for me. Your other reads sound interesting as well.

Mike

I usually keep a bit of variety going at one time, Mike. I do like The Black Flower and it should be interesting to discuss.

Impressions of "Outer Dark," by Cormac McCarthy. Overall, C McC depicted the dark microcosm of generationally poor Appalachia, although those standards are not restricted to only that region but to the poor rural south in general. I thought this writing style was Faulkneresque without the beauty. Interesting how McC writing style has evolved from long, complicated sentences to terse as in "No Country . . ." The last sentence in a chapter toward the end of book was almost Old Testament or Revelations in content and it did nothing to further the plot or character, which is my main complaint with this and most of McC works in general. What was the point of the man putting his face in the child's slashed throat? Depicting the visceral brutality of the society is one thing but that was over the limit for me. Stupid not shocking.I appreciate the skillful writing but had the feeling some of it was self-indulgence or "showing off." McC is a master at setting a scene but this one kind of goes with my impression of The Road in that it just went from one disasterous scene to another without ever really going anywhere. In summary, I'd say it is an example of some excellent writing but not a good book. McC seems to bring out two conflicting opinions/feelings in me: (1) great writing; (2) what the heck were U thinking?

Mike Addington

I just started "The Wonder Book of the Air," by Cynthia Shearer. Just 30 pages in, but it's off to a rousing start. Very Southern, with great characters and writing to match. She also wrote "The Celestial Jukebox," which I'd recommend.

David wrote: "I just started "The Wonder Book of the Air," by Cynthia Shearer. Just 30 pages in, but it's off to a rousing start. Very Southern, with great characters and writing to match. She also wrote "The Ce..."

I enjoyed Shearer's novel very much. She was the curator at Rowan Oak, following Howard Bahr. My favorite line in The Wonder Book of the Aircomes from protagonist Harrison Durrance on a scouting trip when he proclaims, "We ain't lost. We is explorin'." *grin*

Sue, how was The Black Flower? I added to my TBR some time ago. My grandfather's from Franklin, so it caught my eye; so did The Widow of the South, which I hope to also get to soon.

Tonya wrote: "Sue, how was The Black Flower? I added to my TBR some time ago. My grandfather's from Franklin, so it caught my eye; so did The Widow of the South, which I hope to also get to soon."

If it's me you are asking Tonya, I loved this book, so much so that I bought a copy for myself to re-read in the future. I also got his other 2 Civil War books. I highly recommend it. The battle was brutal but the writing is wonderful. I haven't read The Widow of the South.

Yes, Sue! Thanks for responding! What are his other two?

The Year of Jubilo: A Novel of the Civil War and The Judas Field: A Novel of the Civil War. I got them through abebooks I believe (or Amazon sellers. Not sure when I will fit them in, but I will.

There are some discussions going on... However, it's not obvious and each group does it differently. Look around. You can find some, or start your own thread ;)

The heading on this thread says "make recommendations here" (among other things ;) ) so I'd like to recommend A Death at the White Camellia Orphanage. I haven't written my long review, just a quickie version. However, the book is gaining a following. See this link:



It's first on this short list. And is set in the South, where the author, Marly Youmans, was born and raised. (She currently lives in upstate NY.)

I found it well written, a good history of the time from a personal viewpoint, and I'd love to do a re-read with this group!

Hello all: For those of you who are not familiar with the Oxford American Magazine, as I was not, it might appeal as a outlet for new books and writers.

I just finished Freeman by Leonard Pitts, Jr., one several of you have already mentioned. It was to my surprise that I read it for another book club and not this one! I'm still mulling it over, but wrote my first round of a review. You know how some books make you question what you know? This did that somewhat for me, but maybe not about what most readers will focus on, which would be the lives of former slaves following the end of the Civil War. Instead, after the portrayal of northern soldiers as noble abolitionists, and balking at this portrayal, I want to learn more about why soldiers joined the war. I have lately had the impression that abolition was a separate fight that got wrapped into the war. Isn't the fight about slavery about more than the morality of it? Isn't there more about money and power in play? So I am left with my doubts.

On the other hand, Pitts portrays the former slaves with specificity instead of stereotyped masses, and the central stories are enjoyable (although not exactly uplifting.) This novel asks an important question - what do you do with yourself if you are free? What does freedom mean?

Mike wrote: "Hello all: For those of you who are not familiar with the Oxford American Magazine, as I was not, it might appeal as a outlet for new books and writers.
"

Mike, I heartily agree. Each year there is a music edition, including a CD containing music of a particular region. This year's edition is devoted to Louisiana. It's a winner. And every edition contains wonderful writing.

Jenny wrote: "I just finished Freeman by Leonard Pitts, Jr., one several of you have already mentioned. It was to my surprise that I read it for another book club and not this one! I'm still mulling it over, b..."

Thanks to you, Jenny, and Elle, for putting this book on my radar screen. You raise some very interesting questions.

Why did they fight? I recommend
For Cause and Comrades: Why Men Fought in the Civil War by James M. McPherson.

For very interesting perspectives on Reconstruction, see Reconstruction: America's Unfinished Revolution 1863-1877 by Eric Foner.

From a literary perspective the works of Ernest J. Gaines are indispensable in defining what it meant to be free for blacks in Louisiana following the war. I recommend The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman on this issue.

Being a child of the 60s, I'd be remiss, if I didn't cite one of my favorite songs from Joan Baez from her 1972 album Blessed Are: Lincoln Freed Me Today addressing the complexity of freedom.

Mike wrote: "Hello all: For those of you who are not familiar with the Oxford American Magazine, as I was not, it might appeal as a outlet for new books and writers.
"

I love this magazine! I try to buy each new issue from the book store. I should just subscribe to it.

Sanctuary
There are things I just don't understand.

1. Goodwin is sharing his jail cell with that Negro killer. (pg91) Would that be Joe Christmas from Light in August? Not because Joe killed a negro but because he considers himself one. The description of the throat slashed woman and time of occurance seems to be the same. I don't remember Joe being a singer. (pg 101)

2. The "heaven-tree" down on the courtyard corner would be the hanging tree. (pg 91)

3. Did Popeye really rape Temple Drake? and if so did Red screw Temple, in front of Popeye, at the whorehouse, because Popeye is sexually disfunctual? Temple calls Popeye "not a man". I am trying to reconsile the two statements.

Or should I be patient and as it is with Faulkner, all answers will be questioned.

I found out a few things. Popeye did rape Temple but it was with a rough piece of equipment. Popeye was impotent and used Red as a surrogate. He later kills
Red

Something that I absolutely must recommend is Joel Chandler Harris’s Uncle Remus: His Songs and Sayings. Some of you might say nay due to supposed to racism, but to that I give a great defense.
Harris’s Brer Rabbit stories are extremely important to Southern literature. Not only are the stories not racist, but they really are comic genius. Mark Twain loved them so much he read them to his children and at his book readings. He said that the “Wonderful Tar-Baby Story�� was the most popular. That's quite an endorsement. Children's literature analyst John Goldthwaite argues that the Uncle Remus tales are "irrefutably the central event in the making of modern children's story." Harris's influence on British children's writers such as Kipling, Milne, Potter, Burgess and Blyton is substantial. His influence on modernism is less overt, but also evident in the works of Pound, Eliot, Joyce, and Faulkner. Completely essential reading to the serious Southern literature reader.

I'm reading Blood Meridian for the second time. Has anyone else listened to the audio book? It's fantastic and gave me another layer of understanding of the work. Check it out if you can.

I'm about a dozen books behind in reviews, although I've kept up with all our group reads, commenting hear and there. One recent read is The Girl Who Swam to Atlantis by Elle Thornton, one of our members who generously agreed to supply ten copies of her novel for our May giveaway. I've sent Elle the winners' names and addresses today. Here's my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... . I'd recommend it to anyone.

I hope this is a good thread to tell everyone about this. There is an ebook available for both Nook and Kindle readers for free. "Book Buzz 2013" is a compilation of books coming out this fall and winter. There are synopses and sample chapters from 40 titles to be published. There are some great authors and titles to get excited about. Happy reading!

I'm going to take a look at that. I really need more reading ideas!!:)

Rereading To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. It is just as good the second time around. "It is a sin to kill a mockingbird." I take that to mean that it was a sin to kill the innocence of Jem, Scout and Dill with the verdict of the trial. It is so sad when we lose that trust in everybody doing what is right that we had in childhood.

Kathy wrote: "Rereading To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. It is just as good the second time around. "It is a sin to kill a mockingbird." I take that to mean that it was a sin to kill the innocence of Jem..."

I'm glad you shared your interpretation: it gives me more to think about as I reread Mockingbird. My longtime thought on what Atticus told Scout: it's a sin to kill something so much more fragile, innocent and helpless than we are, something that could never even begin to understand the monstrousness of the killer's sin.

Maybe others will share interpretations. This is what makes OTSLT so great.

Innocent Hell! Have you ever been pecked on the bald head by one of these monsters? Have you ever seen them harass a cat? I would almost think that Boo Radley could be the protective mockingbird here. Boo is quiet and possesses very little of the mockingbird trait. Now to kill a morning dove, now that's a sin.

John wrote: "Innocent Hell! Have you ever been pecked on the bald head by one of these monsters? Have you ever seen them harass a cat? I would almost think that Boo Radley could be the protective mockingbir..."

I have to laugh at your examples! I have a mockingbird who sits on the peak of my roof and serenades me every morning at 2 a.m.

Squirrels shouldn't be phone rated

Everitt wrote: "That's a good interpretation of the book's central theme. Though I didn't think of it at the time, so thank you for pointing it out, I think the analogy breaks down when we look a little closer. In..."

I've got to ponder this one too. Everitt, it's really great.

Everitt wrote: "I've never been pecked by one, but I did see one knock a squirrel off a phone line once."

John wrote: "Squirrels shouldn't be phone rated"

OMG, squirrels. Next we'll have the NSA involved in this.

National Squirrel Alert. Where is Curtis Lemay when you need him?

Just finished 'Ordinary Grace', a coming-of-age novel by William Kent Kruger. A fantastic piece of regional fiction. Loved it.

Just finished Twilight by William Gay. Loved it.....page turner, highly recommend for southern gothic fans!

Half way through Mudbound, really enjoying how the author changes character pov's with each chapter.

[

Laura wrote: "Just finished Twilight by William Gay. Loved it.....page turner, highly recommend for southern gothic fans!"

I really admired all of Gay's work. His anthologyI Hate To See That Evening Sun Go Down: Collected Stories's title novella was made into a movie starring Hal Holbrook. Quite good.

Mike S.

Jo Ann �� wrote: "Half way through Mudbound, really enjoying how the author changes character pov's with each chapter.

["

I have this one on my never ending to read list. I'll be looking forward to your final impressions.

Mike S.

Mike wrote: "Laura wrote: "Just finished Twilight by William Gay. Loved it.....page turner, highly recommend for southern gothic fans!"

I really admired all of Gay's work. His anthologyI Hate To See That Eve..."

Ive only seen the trailer but it looks great. I loved his short stories. My husband says Provinces of Night is better than Twilight. I'm not sure about that but we will see. I think Twilight would make an excellent group read!

Jo Ann �� wrote: "Half way through Mudbound, really enjoying how the author changes character pov's with each chapter.

["

A friend recommended this to me 18 months ago and it's sitting on my kindle unread. I'll put it on my summer reading list.