I've been trying to decide what I want to read for Maggie's annual Southern Reading Challenge. I still haven't narrowed it down, but I do have a list of potentials. In no particular order, here are some of the books I'm considering for this fun challenge:
Mudbound by Hillary Jordan
Confederacy of Dunces
Charms for the Easy Life by Kaye Gibbons
Killer Diller by Clyde Edgerton
A Long and Happy Life by Reynolds Price
something by William Faulkner?
As you can see, I'm very undecided. I think it's because I enjoy Southern Lit so much that I have a hard time deciding what to read. I may even end up reading something totally different.
On a side note, I have been reading even though I haven't been posting any reviews. It's just that when the weather begins to warm up, I'm ready to be outside. Since, I don't have a laptop, that means I'm away from the computer. Hopefully, I'll post some quick reviews of four books I've recently finished so I can get caught up.
I hope everyone had a nice Mother's Day weekend! I enjoyed myself immensely. Hubby had to work, but both the boys came to church with me and then we all ate at my mother's for lunch. We didn't do anything special, but it was just nice spending time with everyone.
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16 comments:
I love the button for this challenge! I've had my eye on Mudbound - that looks really good. If you haven't read The Help by Kathryn Stockett yet, that would fit right in with this challenge. I'm listening to it now and it's fabulous!
Glad you had a happy Mother's Day.
Glad to hear you had a lovely mother's day! I spent it with my mom watching movies :)
Anyway, yay, so glad you are joining Maggie's challenge. I love Confederacy of Dunces. Read that one years ago but still think Ignatius is one of the most memorable characters in literature. Enjoy the challenge!
No one has fallen farther and faster in my estimation of an author than William Faulkner. When I read "Light in August" in college, I was extremely impressed. Last year I listened to an audio CD of "Light in August" and thought it was portentious racist claptrap.
JoAnn, it looks like quite a few people are reading The Help for this challenge. I'm still undecided -- no surprise, huh?
iliana, I've heard so many good things about Confederacy of Dunces. I am pretty sure I'll have to read this one for the challenge.
Tony, Faulkner is certainly not everyone's cup of tea. There are those who love his work and those who hate it. As far as the racism goes, you have to remember when he was writing. Unfortunately, that wasn't unusual for the time. However, I don't think that should automatically turn people off the work itself. I say, to each his own. :)
You should definitely read Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia for the Southern reading challenge!!!
Of course, I might be a bit biased!(LOL)
Although I'm not much of one for reading challenges, this one sounds good to me. I'm a southern girl at heart, and I do love the southern literature :)
Patricia, I may just do that! I trust Maggie's opinion 100%. :)
ravenousreader, Yeah for southern girls!!
This sounds like a good challenge to participate in. If it were me, I'd choose Confederacy of Dunces, but they all look interesting. I'd kind of like to return to Faulkner at some point too, but I'm always a bit intimidated!
Mudbound is one I've been wanting to read for awhile now. I'll be curious to see what you think of it as well as your other choices for this challenge, Lisa.
Good luck with the challenge!
If you haven't read any Florence King, I'd recommend starting with her Southern Ladies & Gentlemen. I get a much bigger kick out of Southern books now that I've read it. (It was the first book we had to read for my Southern Women Writers class in grad school.)
Dorothy, I think I will probably read Confederacy of Dunces. I've heard so many good things about it.
Literary Feline, I've heard lots of good things about Mudbound, too. As always, there are just too many great books to choose from.
Jena, oh I'd love to take a Southern Women Writers class. That sounds wonderful. I will check out Florence King. I'm not familiar with her. Thanks!
I read Charms for the Easy Life last year and enjoyed it very much. It's not a deep book, like Faulkner, but it is a lovely character study and extremely easy to read. Very positive and uplifting, too.
litlove, I've loved everything I've read by Kaye Gibbons. I'm a little surprised that you found it uplifting and positive, though. Most of her books have been a little heavy as most Southern Literature tends to be. I'm anxious to see now how this one differs from her others.
Mudbound is a definite in my book.
I loved it. Don't miss it.
wisteria, it does look good. I've given up on the challenge, but I'll still read the books in my own time.
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