On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

The Southern Literary Trail is now accepting nominations for books that the group will be reading in January 2024.

We will consider books with a southern literary theme that have not been read by the group in the last 24 months. The two categories are books originally published in or before 1990 or those published after 1990. You may make one nomination in each category. Authors may not nominate their own works. Please post your nominations below and specify which category you are nominating it for.

Nominations will stay open for one week or until we receive six nominations in each category. Voting will take place in the first ten days of next month.

New Rule: Please note that the moderators have decided that we will no longer consider nominations for new books unless they have been available for at least four months prior to the date we begin reading the book. We’ve had several instances where members want to participate in discussions but can’t get library copies in time due to high demand.

The eligible nominations received will be listed below:

Books originally published in or before 1990
1. The Tennis Handsome, by Barry Hannah
2. The Wild Palms, by William Faulkner
3. Cane, by Jean Toomer
4. In the Land of Dreamy Dreams, by Ellen Gilchrist
5. Mountain Path, by Harriette Simpson Arnow
6. Edisto, by Padgett Powell
Books originally published after 1990
1. Sick Puppy, by Carl Hiaasen
2. An Innocent Client, by Scott Pratt
3. A Painted House, by John Grisham
4. The Magic Kingdom, by Russell Banks
5. On Agate Hill, by Lee Smith
6. The Secret Wisdom of the Earth, by Christopher Scotton

For the Post-1990 selection, I would like to nominate Sick Puppy by Carl Hiaasen.

An Innocent Client by Scott Pratt for post 1990

The Tennis Handsome by Barry Hannah original publication 1983

I need to make a correction to Tom's posting of the December MOD choice.
It is actually my choice this month and I have chosen South Moon Under by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. I hope this isn't too confusing, but mistakes happen.

I would like to nominate for post 1990 A Painted House by John Grisham.

Pre-1990 The Wild Palms William Faulkner


Post=1990 The Magic Kingdom Russell Banks

In an effort to get nominations going again:

Pre 1990: Cane, pub date 1923.

Post 1990: On Agate Hill

Post 90 A Painted House by John Grisham

You already nominated that one Vicky.

Thank you for the new rule on recent publications!

It was needed, Cheryl. We're all excited to read the brand new ones, but library hold lists are no joke.

I understand and agree about new publication nominations. It is a mixed bag because some readers have better access so in group reads (generally speaking, not targeting SLT) we often see comments like I already read this one and will try and comment if I can recall... which is me sometimes as my mind has moved on to other books and my memory sucks these days. I like getting to the newer books sooner than later but slow library processing is taking its toll.

I’ll nominate this month.

Pre 1990: In the Land of Dreamy Dreams by Ellen Gilchrist

Post 1990: The Secret Wisdom of the Earth byChristopher Scotton

We need two more pre-1990 selections to fill our slate. Post-1990 is full. Thank you, Lori.

Mountain Path by Harriette Simpson Arnow

Diane wrote: "You already nominated that one Vicky."

Sorry, I didn’t think it was added to the list for consideration.

Pre 1990 - Edisto, Padgett Powell

And that should do it! Thanks, everyone, looks like some great nominations.

Indeed it does. I will set up the polls so that you can all begin voting on December 1st. Have a great Thanksgiving everyone (even you, Dave).