,

Books that are inspirational, as well as filled with humor, romance, and a light tone make up quirky Southern fiction.
1

by
4.47 avg rating — 3,013,508 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2

by
4.26 avg rating — 6,861,920 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
3

by
4.10 avg rating — 1,350,945 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
4

by
4.28 avg rating — 326,188 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
5

by
4.07 avg rating — 107,891 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
6

by
3.86 avg rating — 568,417 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
7

by
4.31 avg rating — 1,255,571 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
8

by
4.28 avg rating — 750,706 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9

by
3.96 avg rating — 87,425 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
10

by
3.99 avg rating — 57,385 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
11

by
3.97 avg rating — 63,707 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
12

by
3.86 avg rating — 64,819 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
13

by
4.02 avg rating — 105,364 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
14

by
4.26 avg rating — 216,299 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
15

by
3.86 avg rating — 24,072 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
16

by
3.97 avg rating — 560,327 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
17

by
3.77 avg rating — 102,144 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
18

by
4.21 avg rating — 2,040,968 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
19

by
4.12 avg rating — 825,754 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
20

by
3.97 avg rating — 27,684 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
21

by
3.96 avg rating — 29,404 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
22

by
4.04 avg rating — 252,661 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
23

by
4.10 avg rating — 770 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
24

by
4.19 avg rating — 54,733 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
25

by
3.92 avg rating — 1,016,388 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
26

by
3.88 avg rating — 16,196 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
27

by
3.83 avg rating — 1,335,500 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
28

by
3.92 avg rating — 28,198 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
29

by
3.97 avg rating — 16,733 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
30

by
4.21 avg rating — 325,886 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
31

by
3.59 avg rating — 30,859 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
32

by
3.94 avg rating — 27,989 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
33

by
3.99 avg rating — 119,183 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
34

by
3.77 avg rating — 620,794 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
35

by
4.01 avg rating — 8,969 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
36

by
4.07 avg rating — 24,198 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
37

by
3.96 avg rating — 262,688 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
38

by
3.82 avg rating — 11,084 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
39

by
4.05 avg rating — 23,651 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
40

by
4.14 avg rating — 47,716 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
41

by
4.07 avg rating — 638,338 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
42

by
3.49 avg rating — 13,032 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
43

by
4.16 avg rating — 34,653 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
44

by
4.34 avg rating — 30,067 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
45

by
3.87 avg rating — 50,721 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
46

by
4.21 avg rating — 14,972 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
47

by
3.65 avg rating — 13,950 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
48

by
4.01 avg rating — 30,307 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
49

by
3.79 avg rating — 32,061 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
50

by
4.10 avg rating — 13,056 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
51

by
4.06 avg rating — 446,697 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
52

by
4.13 avg rating — 69,708 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
53

by
4.25 avg rating — 57,001 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
54

by
3.75 avg rating — 54,579 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
55

by
4.07 avg rating — 18,845 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
56

by
3.73 avg rating — 11,168 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
57

by
4.01 avg rating — 224,695 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
58

by
4.12 avg rating — 266,985 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
59

by
4.22 avg rating — 22,087 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
60

by
4.65 avg rating — 155 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
61

by
3.85 avg rating — 15,564 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
62

by
3.75 avg rating — 18,069 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
63

by
4.15 avg rating — 11,736 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
64

by
3.72 avg rating — 16,529 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
65

by
4.02 avg rating — 244,767 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
66

by
4.06 avg rating — 11,069 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
67

by
3.96 avg rating — 5,586 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
68

by
4.06 avg rating — 462,424 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
69

by
3.96 avg rating — 8,042 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
70

by
4.02 avg rating — 12,927 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
71

by
4.44 avg rating — 28,158 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
72

by
3.92 avg rating — 294,671 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
73

by
3.91 avg rating — 169,966 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
74

by
4.03 avg rating — 56,842 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
75

by
3.87 avg rating — 66,369 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
76

by
3.95 avg rating — 21,198 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
77

by
4.06 avg rating — 32,288 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
78

by
3.89 avg rating — 83,832 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
79

by
4.17 avg rating — 27,597 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
80

by
4.02 avg rating — 211,119 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
81

by
3.72 avg rating — 5,088 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
82

by
3.81 avg rating — 18,373 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
83

by
4.01 avg rating — 195,009 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
84

by
4.02 avg rating — 7,543 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
85

by
3.88 avg rating — 10,331 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
86

by
4.26 avg rating — 331,817 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
87

by
4.12 avg rating — 18,665 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
88

by
3.82 avg rating — 3,024 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
89

by
3.82 avg rating — 8,059 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
90

by
3.97 avg rating — 8,273 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
90

by
3.76 avg rating — 192,922 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
92

by
3.95 avg rating — 4,457 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
93

by
3.89 avg rating — 297,389 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
94

by
4.58 avg rating — 128 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
95

by
4.33 avg rating — 1,358,342 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
96

by
4.27 avg rating — 63 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
97

by
3.92 avg rating — 4,846 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
98

by
3.68 avg rating — 25,431 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
99

by
3.69 avg rating — 226,909 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
100

by
3.99 avg rating — 6,425 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
968 books · 1,906 voters · list created September 2nd, 2010 by Alice (votes) .
477 likes · 
Lists are re-scored approximately every 5 minutes.


Alice 41 books
67 friends
Janie 1972 books
168 friends
Christy 2119 books
11 friends
Autumn 2212 books
483 friends
Jessica 514 books
28 friends
Aimee 362 books
25 friends
Rossy 9258 books
335 friends
Anne Marie 1568 books
59 friends

More voters…


Comments Showing 1-47 of 47 (47 new)

dateUp arrow    newest »

message 1: by Nora (new)

Nora No Secret Life of Bees? D:


message 2: by [deleted user] (new)

Nora wrote: "No Secret Life of Bees? D:"

I added it plus my very favorite.


message 3: by Eddie (new)

Eddie Whitlock I'm plugging the book I wrote, so I apologize in advance. It's EVIL IS ALWAYS HUMAN. It's not a feel-good book, like most on this list. It's pretty dark. But it's very Southern and I think some of you might like it.


message 4: by Shannon (new)

Shannon "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" by John Berendt is actually non-fiction. Having said that, I actually read the whole thing thinking it was fiction before realizing it's a true story....wouldn't argue with it being on this list since it definitely reads like fiction.


message 5: by Sheila (new)

Sheila Any book you read by Dorothy Benton Frank is fabulous if you are southern born and bred! We love our lives in print!! So can relate to all of her books.


message 6: by Michele (new)

Michele Edgar Sawtelle and the Red Tent qualify as "quirky Southern"?? Come on!


message 7: by [deleted user] (new)

Michele wrote: "Edgar Sawtelle and the Red Tent qualify as "quirky Southern"?? Come on!"

I agree! would someone please remove them? I was very annoyed to see Edgar Sawtelle.


message 8: by Jill (last edited Mar 13, 2013 01:27PM) (new)

Jill I am confused by this list...
"Pride & Prejudice? To Kill a Mockingbird? Black & Blue?" These are not quirky southern.

I also agree that "The Red Tent" should be taken off. I don't know about "Edgar Sawtelle", I didn't want to finish it.


message 9: by Stephanie (new)

Stephanie I love this list. There are several of my favorites on here. how about The Last Girls by Lee Smith?


message 10: by Stephanie (new)

Stephanie Spoke too soon. I see it!


message 11: by Andréa (new)

Andréa Jill wrote: "I am confused by this list...
"Pride & Prejudice? To Kill a Mockingbird? Black & Blue?" These are not quirky southern.

I also agree that "The Red Tent" should be taken off. I don't know about "Ed..."


Definitely agree about "Pride & Prejudice." "To Kill a Mockingbird" might be Southern, at least, but it doesn't really fit the list's description for quirky Southern fiction, either.


message 12: by Yvonne (new)

Yvonne Newcomb-doty ~☆ Alice☆~ wrote: "Michele wrote: "Edgar Sawtelle and the Red Tent qualify as "quirky Southern"?? Come on!"

I agree! would someone please remove them? I was very annoyed to see Edgar Sawtelle."


I couldn't agree more. I saw Red Tent and went maybe Southern Israel, ha.


message 13: by Nyssa (new)

Nyssa There is nothing "Quirky" about The Color Purple!


message 14: by Pedro (new)

Pedro Luna Very good!


message 15: by Glenda (new)


message 16: by Grey (new)

Grey Smith Flirting Threesome
A good Book, even it was meaning full for me. I recommend it.


message 17: by Jeannie (new)

Jeannie Hudson Good for you. Your book sounds interesting and I want to read it. "Eddie wrote: "I'm plugging the book I wrote, so I apologize in advance. It's EVIL IS ALWAYS HUMAN. It's not a feel-good book, like most on this list. It's pretty dark. But it's very Southern an..."

Jeannie HudsonJeannie Hudson


message 18: by Jillian (new)

Jillian How on Earth is Pride and Prejudice quirky Southern fiction?


message 19: by Becky (new)

Becky No As I Lay Dying? How can I add that one?


message 20: by Andréa (new)

Andréa Becky wrote: "No As I Lay Dying? How can I add that one?"

You click on the tab that says "Add books to this list." Then you can select a book from your shelves or search the site for a book to add it to the list.


message 21: by Andréa (new)

Andréa Lola wrote: "How on Earth is Pride and Prejudice quirky Southern fiction?"

Seems like everyone is in agreement that it's not, but I imagine most people are wary of removing books from a subjective list created by someone else.


message 22: by Sharanja (new)

Sharanja How on earth is The Color Purple quirky?I mean, the book starts off with the underage main character giving birth to her abusive step-father's baby.


message 23: by Becky (new)

Becky Andréa wrote: "Becky wrote: "No As I Lay Dying? How can I add that one?"

You click on the tab that says "Add books to this list." Then you can select a book from your shelves or search the site for a book to add..."


I figured it out and added it. I think that just about everything by William Faulkner and Tennessee Williams could be considered Quirky Southern Fiction. Flannery O'Conner too.


message 24: by Rebekah (new)

Rebekah What about Carlos Ruiz Zafron, Tana French and Shel Silverstein's books for kids? Spain and Ireland aren't even in the US much less the South!

I'm going to add Eudora Welty and Flannery O'connor though. Quirky classics Why I Live at the P.O. and A Good Man Is Hard To Find


message 25: by Rebekah (new)

Rebekah Andréa wrote: "Jill wrote: "I am confused by this list...
"Pride & Prejudice? To Kill a Mockingbird? Black & Blue?" These are not quirky southern.

I also agree that "The Red Tent" should be taken off. I don't k..."


I disagree about To Kill a Mockingbird. Scout and her family are quirky not to mention Boo. Not many kids in the South call their parents Atticus or any first name. Her exploits are also some to smile at.


message 26: by Rebekah (new)

Rebekah MArk Twain?


message 27: by Nyssa (new)

Nyssa Sharanja wrote: "How on earth is The Color Purple quirky?I mean, the book starts off with the underage main character giving birth to her abusive step-father's baby."

Exactly!!! The Color Purple is in no way "Quirky".


message 28: by Andréa (new)

Andréa Rebekah wrote: "I disagree about To Kill a Mockingbird. Scout and her family are quirky not to mention Boo. Not many kids in the South call their parents Atticus or any first name. Her exploits are also some to smile at."

I do think To Kill a Mockingbird is quirky to a degree, but this list defines quirky Southern fiction as "Books that are inspirational, as well as filled with humor, romance, and a light tone." I don't think To Kill a Mockingbird fits that criteria; while it may have some humor, it's not exactly filled with humor, let alone romance.


message 29: by Marshall (new)

Marshall Strong Why is Pride and Prejudice on this?


message 30: by Richard (new)

Richard Marshall wrote: "Why is Pride and Prejudice on this?"

I found it on twice, as well as Wuthering Heights!


message 31: by Lobstergirl (new)

Lobstergirl Deleted a ton of stuff that did not belong. Shakespeare...Van Gogh's Letters....lots of nonfiction....stuff set in the North....


message 32: by Avaminn (last edited Oct 15, 2014 02:52PM) (new)

Avaminn F'nett The Hunger Games Catching Fire, and Mockingjay should be removed. They are not set in the South. Same with Moon over Manifest, which is set in Kansas.

Also, some of the John Grisham books.


message 33: by David (last edited Mar 20, 2015 06:52AM) (new)

David Aultman I think this the other end of the spectrum, surely my book is not "literature" but "quirky"? Hmmmmm, definitely both Southern and fiction, you decide: http://www.amazon.com/Delta-View-Davi...David Allen AultmanDelta View


message 34: by Jessica (new)

Jessica Do all of those John Grisham books belong in "Quirky Southern Fiction"?


message 35: by Robyn (new)

Robyn Bray Hunger Games are not set in the South.


message 36: by Robyn (new)

Robyn Bray Andréa wrote: "Lola wrote: "How on Earth is Pride and Prejudice quirky Southern fiction?"

Seems like everyone is in agreement that it's not, but I imagine most people are wary of removing books from a subjective..."


Is there a way to remove them?


message 37: by Andréa (new)

Andréa Robyn wrote: "Is there a way to remove them?"

Yes. Librarians can go into the list and remove specific books. For subjective lists, I prefer to leave those decisions up to the list creator, but if another librarian wants to tackle it, they're welcome to.


message 38: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (last edited Jan 25, 2017 03:27AM) (new)

BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) Didn't want to remove it, but The Shadow of the Wind (#130)? The author is Spanish and the story is set in Spain, as far as I know.


message 39: by Donna (last edited Oct 30, 2017 11:53PM) (new)

Donna Davis The system found and removed 2 duplicates.

Removed for being nonfiction: I Talk Slower than I Think
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Also out of genre, removed from #84, The Hunger Games:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
And its sequel, Catching Fire, #102:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8...
And #3 in the series, #115 (sigh):
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8...


message 40: by Donna (last edited Oct 31, 2017 09:59PM) (new)

Donna Davis Ousted from p.3, nonfiction Southern wedding planning advice book:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Also p.3, Suck Your Stomach In and Put Some Colors On:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

P.4, Children's poetry, The Missing Piece:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

From p.2, Shopgirl, which is set in Beverly Hills:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...


message 41: by Donna (last edited Feb 12, 2018 12:09AM) (new)

Donna Davis Removed as nonfiction: #78 We're Just Like You, Only Prettier https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Several people have mentioned that The Color Purple doesn't fit the criteria of lightness and romance, what with their being almost endless domestic abuse, rape, etc.
To Kill a Mockingbird has a few humorous moments, but again it is certainly not a light read.
Both of these are high on the list right now with a ton of votes; should I remove them or leave them alone? Also eyeing The Glass Castle.


message 42: by Celia (new)

Celia Buell (semi hiatus) Many of these are not set in the south...


message 43: by Donna (new)

Donna Davis ☮️❤️Celia❤️☮️ wrote: "Many of these are not set in the south..."

Yeah, it's riddled with problems. I'm not sure this list is worth fixing. The problem is with the criteria, IMHO. First, what is "quirky"? I'm not a Southerner, but I do adore good Southern fiction; I think some people see "Southern Fiction" and disregard the text afterward. A LOT of excellent Southern fiction is neither humorous nor romantic. (Faulkner, anyone?)

But there are also a lot of titles here that straight-up are out of genre.

I'm inclined to abandon this list, personally, if I can find a better one for Southern fiction.


message 44: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (last edited Sep 28, 2020 12:30AM) (new)

BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) @Donna
I voted for Faulkner novels (already on the list) as in my opnion they are 'quirky'. 😉 But I agree that it doesn't fit the description (the title and the description are not the same, in my opinion).


BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) @Glenda
Don't promote your own book like that, as it is not nice! (Besides, there are other ways to promote a book.)


message 46: by Mickey (new)

Mickey Winn Desperation Road by Michael Faris Smith is a great read set in Mississippi. Tom Franklin's Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter also very good and set in Ms.


message 47: by Tim (new)

Tim Bryant I'm a Southern author writing novels set in the South. How do I get my latest novel The Bird in Your Heart added to the Southern Fiction list. The story is about an Atlanta ad agency executive divorces the boss's daughter, loses his job, goes home to the sea island where he was raised. His plan is to sail off to see the world but his elderly mother is losing her eyesight and the generations-old estate needs major repairs. Southern traditions, Gullah culture, and oddball island ways create a Low Country tangle just right for beach, boat, and book club people.


back to top



Related News

  One of the great pleasures of an adventurous reading life is discovering new authors. If you’re the kind of book lover who likes to head...

Anyone can add books to this list.