Appalachian Leaves discussion

I am always looking for great, or even good, books on Appalachia. Let's grow our book list!

Well, Ron Rash is a good place to start. Silas House has a new one called ELI THE GOOD that I've heard him read.

Greetings everyone! I was so excited to stumble upon a group inspired by a fondness for Appalachian culture. If your group is looking for more books, I am the author of Cry of My Heart,a Historical Fiction set in the Blue Ridge Mountains in 1900. The first book was released last year and the sequal is due out soon. I can't wait to hear about more books you have read from this region. I know I've only tapped the surface with the few I've had time to read!

Charles,
I have not read any Ron Rash. Can you recommend one or two?

Joanne,
Congrats on your book. You have great reviews here on goodreads and I will look forward to reading the book and recommending it to my family and friends.

I liked ONE FOOT IN EDEN a lot.

Amos-

I'm glad you reccomended the Journey of August King. I've seen the movie and loved it, but didnt know it was a book. I'm going to add that one to my shelf. You've met the author?

Yes, John Ehle is a great writer. He read just around the corner from my house a few months ago. Maybe it's already been mentioned, by there's always James Still's River of Earth. And, of course, if you're in for a heavier read, Cormac McCarthy's earlier work.

Amos-
haha. Bet it was a great experience.

I've already reserved it at the Library...my we can do things quickly on the internet! Thanks for suggesting it. I'm looking forward to reading it.

And Jackie, If you get a chance to read Cry of My Heart, I hope you enjoy it!

Glad we are getting some great suggestions! I have added a few books I have read to the group bookshelf. You can add your favorites too.

If you like poetry, you might enjoy Edwina Pendarvis's Like the Mountains of China . I met Eddie when she was my advisor at university and ended up reading her book in an Appalachian lit class! Make sure to have tissues handy.

I love books that need kleenex :) I'll have to look it up. And how fun to be in an Appalachian lit class!
Joanne
www.joannebischof.blogspot.com

I can't remember all the books we read in that class because it's been a few years, but we read Like the Mountains of China, Kettle Bottom, and Unquiet Earth, at least. I'd suggest all of those for the bookshelf.

I'd love for us to have monthly books, too. It'd be nice to have a sort of Appalachian book club!

Thats a good idea! You might shoot a message over to the group moderator with your idea and add those books to the to-read list for the group.
Joanne

www.joannebischof.blogspot.com

hey amber! how did you like kettle bottom? the author will be a the writing workshop i'm attending. i'm looking forward to reading it.

I really enjoyed a couple of books by Ron Rash.....Serena and Saints at the River. Both great reads.

For my graduate class in Appalachian Literature we read: River of Earth, Storming Heaven, Gap Creek, Oral History, some short stories, and had required bluegrass music listening.

I live in Durham, near where Lee Smith lives, so I have met her several times at local book events.

I added Oral History to the list. I think there was one more novel we read, but I can't remember the name of it. I will have to think hard and get back to you.

I have Mr Milnes book "signs, cures, and witchery" laying on my desk and hope to break it open soon. Thanks,

Chelsea, if you enjoy Harriette Simpson Arnow's works, you might be interested to know that the University of Kentucky will have an opening and exhibit for Mrs. Arnow's papers in November. I can give you more information as the date draws nearer if you're interested.

I would like to say.....if you are not reading Ron Rash, you should. He is publishing some great books!

Don't know if this is the correct forum for this announcement, but I wanted to announce my book for children. I wrote Granny Gathers about growing up in Appalachia and the traditions passed on by my women relatives in hopes of keeping the traditions of our region alive. Hope you will check it out, as well as go to my website for a chance to win a copy of the book. www.sharongriffith.wordpress.com

Thanks, Jason. I'm more active on goodreads than on twitter but I hope you check out my website and the book, of course!

Hi all, I've been lurking in the group for a while now. Wanted to let you know about my new novel. It's called The Fourteenth Colony: a novel with music. It's about a musician that comes back to his WV hometown and finds the place and the people as bad off as he is. I wrote and LP of songs in the main character's voice to go with the book and have released the two together. So far, reception has been great. I did an interview about it with The Millions and Chris Offutt said some really nice things about it. Anyway, I'd love for you folks to read it. Many of the works discussed here were influential to me when I was growing up.

Here's a link: www.sadironpress.com

Thanks, all.

Jason
Very intriguing! Will put it on my list to buy.

Thanks! If enough folks on this group are interested I could maybe offer some kind of discount?

I will get it, too! My grandparents on my dad's side are from dry fork, wv and Clarksburg, WV.

Hey Folks,

I deplore self-advertising, but my novel just got knocked down to 99 cents in kindle form for those interested. Here's the link, and it's in the Appalachian tradition.

http://www.amazon.com/Lambs-of-Men-eb...

I don't like self promoting but it seems to be the only way to get the word out about the "smaller" books, Charles. I bought it, btw, and shared on my facebook page. Self promo works!

Thanks, Kate:)

I just finished Jim the Boy, a understated story about a boy who lives just east of the North Carolina mountains in the 1930s. The main characters are true and good. The writing is clean and earnest. The story meanders, but it's never dull. The daily dilemmas of a ten year old give it punch and heart all at once. I couldn't recommend it more.

I'll do my own self promo here. I wrote a children's book about a girl visiting her grandmother and the traditions they share through the activities they do together, Granny Gathers. it's available through Amazon and Barnes and Noble. You can check it out there or through my website, sharon-griffith.com

Jeff Daniel Marion? Haven't read much, but have been intrigued. Anybody read him?

is my debut novel. set in harlan county, kentucky. southern gothic, paranormal in flavor. my website is http://mariadkins.com

you can read an excerpt of the book here:

www.apexbookcompany.com/blogs/frontpa...

I plan to read

My late husband was from Letcher County,KY.

I have read Caudill's book and was disappointed because I thought he dealt in stereotypes of Appalachians. He painted a negative view of the area.

John wrote: "I have read Caudill's book and was disappointed because I thought he dealt in stereotypes of Appalachians. He painted a negative view of the area."

Mari concurs. This is where the whole "war on poverty" started, and it's been a joke since day one.

Hmmm, well to be honest,there ARE a lot of negatives about the area.My late husband[and his brother] had to join the Air Force for work,and about everyone they grew up with... left for work elsewhere.So many vehicles down there have out of state plates!
Ohio,Indiana,and Michigan is where many,many Appalachians work and live,only going "home" for visits,and most have no intention of moving back,even when they retire!

Some of the other books I've read set in Appalachia are Hunter's Horn by Harriete Arnow, Twilight by William Gay, and Jayne Anne Phillips's Lark and Termite, plus Quiet Dell. All are novels.

Just read my first Ron Rash last month- Serena- for a book club and I loved it. looking forward to reAding more of his work

Every Leaf a Mirror: A Jim Wayne Miller Reader. The Orchard Keeper by Cormac McCarthy.

Hilarious stories about events in Appalachia.If you love the comedian Jerry Clower[listen to him on youtube] you will love this book!



Tales from South of the Mountain by E. D. Sock Mullins

http://www.amazon.com/Tales-South-Mou...

Laura Long's Peel Tree, Denise Geradina's Storming Heaven, Breece Pancake's "Stories OF", Child of God by Cormac McCarthy, John Knowles's Vein of Riches. Voices from the Hills (Selected Readings of Southern Appalachia)., edited by Higgins and Manning. Country Music USA, by William C. Malone.

I took the time to read Silas House's entire library - and it was worth it, very much. Good stuff in there.