I absolutely LOVE the topic for today’s Wednesday Weekly Blog Challenge! Thank you, Long and Short Reviews for not only hosting, but allowing us to toot our own state’s horn today (and maybe our own, too!).
Books set in my city and/or state. Where do I start?!
The first one which came to mind: Cold Mountain written by Charles Frazier. It always surprises me how many folks have never heard of this story, particularly when it’s also an award-winning movie starring Jude Law and Nicole Kidman. It’s set in Civil War North Carolina and isn’t as much about the war as it is about love and redemption. However, word of caution. The book isn’t nearly as good as the movie. I rarely, rarely, say that about a book, but of this one it’s completely true. They took the book and elevated it in amazing ways. By the by, I live just minutes from the actual, no kidding, Cold Mountain by way of the crow.
Look Homeward, Angel by Thomas Wolfe. I’ve actually never read this one, but it’s on my TBR list. It’s set in Asheville, North Carolina in 1929. It sounds like a terrific read and can’t wait to sink my teeth into it. And, the best part? It’s $0.99 on Kindle. Can’t go wrong here.
Under Currents by Nora Roberts. I have in fact read this one. I actually got it from a local bookstore and it’s an Advanced Reading Copy! The local bookstore here has a program by which they wrap their ARCs in brown paper and give a minimal description as to what’s inside. For a donation in the jar for the local pet rescue, you can pick a surprise package. This happened to be one of mine. I found myself liking this book at times and at other times not so much. It was a bit rambling in spots, but overall a decent read. And, it’s set in Western North Carolina.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. This one hit the NYT bestselling list. I haven’t read it yet. It’s set in the late 60s on the North Carolina coast and sounds like an exquisite read. I’ve been thinking heavily on starting a book club element to the Facebook group I help manage with a few author friends, Sweet Tea Mafia. Maybe if I do, this should be the first read. What y’all think? Would you join us if we did this? I really need to figure out the deets!
Since last week’s topic was: how I would do in a zombie apocalypse, I couldn’t very well make this list without including One Second After by Dr. William Forstchen. This is actually book one in his apocalyptic/dystopian series which is set on Black Mountain, North Carolina. I’m less than an hour from him! He actually teaches and lives there, as well. Who knew when the WWBC list was created some months ago that topics like a zombie apocalypse would be so relevant considering the world health crisis that we’ve been enduring? I have in fact read the entire series. It’s not for everyone, but I certainly enjoyed it.
Nicholas Sparks. His reputation precedes him, I’m sure. All his romances are set on the beautiful North Carolina coast. They’re all tearjerkers, to be sure. My favorites include The Notebook, A Walk to Remember, Message in a Bottle, A Bend in the Road, and The Rescue. Yes, I’m a HUGE fan of his earlier works. I don’t need to say much about his work as it speaks for itself. And, I believe there are two camps. There are people who love his work and people who hate it. I’m not sure there’s a middle ground. Anywho! Now for a bit of Sparks trivia, or not. I lived just miles from him in New Bern, North Carolina for a spell and attended the same church as he did for a while. No, we never met. But it’s a fun fact to toss out there every so often.
Now, I’ll stroke my own ego a bit. Flashpoint (a two novel boxed set) and Reclaiming Raylyn are all set in North Carolina, the coast to be exact. Flashpoint includes the two books which prelude the S3 series I’ve had in the works for some time and will finally debut with book one, Parallax, late this summer. You can find Flashpoint and Reclaiming Raylyn now on Amazon or by clicking the tab at the top of the page Books or HERE. Flashpoint is permanently $0.99 or free on KU as it is the prequel to my new series and both are re-releases. I wanted to make them as accessible as possible.
I could talk about so many more books set in my state and area, but we’d be here for days! So, I’ll say thank you for stopping by today and I hope you find a read you’re interested in from my list. And do consider the book club idea…I’d love to hear your opinion and if you’d be interested in joining up for that!
OMG I Loveloveloved WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING! what a beautiful book. And of course, I am a Nora fan from waaaaaaaay back so I read Undercurrents in a day ( as I do all Nora books) Great post, my dear!
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Hi Peggy! I have got to get to Where the Crawdads Sing! Undercurrents was really accurate in its portrayal of the area, the culture and such. Thanks for coming by!
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Wow! I haven’t read that many books set in my state. Probably because as a teacher, I have to read so many young adult books–I’m not reading for pleasure, but for work. When I get a free moment, I usually choose either a classic that I own and have never read, or my current hot-button of NF–cultural anthropology and the evolution of intelligence in humans. Guess I’m kind of a nerd.
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Nerds rule the world, so you’re in good shape! 😉 Anthropology was one of my electives in college and I absolutely loved it, probably because it was a good companion to all my sociology classes. The teacher was easy on the eyes, too. lol Thanks for coming by Fiona!
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I had a nice visit to Ashville years ago, and loved Where the Crawdad Sing. http://pmprescott.blogspot.com/2020/05/wc052720.html
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We used to get over there regularly, but now not so much. I love the Biltmore and we have season passes that are going to waste. Thanks for coming by Patrick!
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Goodness! What a fabulous group of books and authors! I remember when Nicholas Sparks used to live near Sacramento, California. When I worked for Borders Books, he did a book signing at our store. It was a wonderful evening. Enjoyed your post, Dixie!
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Nicholas used to do book events in New Bern, but I never made it out to one. Was your job at Borders like a dream? Sometimes I really thing I should have been a librarian.
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I’ve read lots by Sparks. My library book club had planned to read Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens before Covid happened. Unfortunately, we haven’t gotten back together and missed it. I’m game to read it. 🙂
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I’m trying to figure out a way to do an online book club in the Sweet Tea Mafia and I think these new “rooms” feature that FB installed might be the ticket. I think we should give it a whirl!
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There we go
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I knew there was a reason I loved you… lol… I lived in North Carolina for several years and my two oldest and their families still call it home. I have a very soft place in my heart from that state, from the oceans to the mountains.
Count me in the not a Sparks fan camp.. I don’t like to cry.
My post is here if you’d like to stop by.
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LOL He can make a girl cry that’s for sure. You never know what the twist ending will be. Neither hubby nor I are born and raised here, but we spent so many years here throughout his military career it became home. I do need to get down to the beach soon though. I’m missing it!
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I’d heard of Cold Mountain, but I’ve never read it. You’re making me want to change that. 🙂
My post.
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It was a great story! However, I honestly thought in this case the movie was better than the book. And that is so rare!
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Ooh, I hope you get to read Where the Crawdads Sing soon, Dixie. It was an amazing read and she brought the landscape to amazing life. I really felt like I was there.
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I’m thinking about starting a book club in my Sweet Tea Mafia group and I want Where the Crawdads Sing to be one of our reads if I do.
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I’m going to attempt an online book club in Sweet Tea Mafia and I want this to be one of the books we read.
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