Beaches, the Old South and More
Is there a book you love and feel does a great job of highlighting its South Carolina setting? Send your suggestions and please don’t forget to tell me why you think that book is a good choice for this state. It doesn’t need to explicitly be about the state, only clearly set in it and written by someone who actually lived there. I have a bias towards books written by authors who are still living so that we can reflect more on today’s reality but I won’t turn down a classic if you make a good argument for it!
Books are in no order of preference. That they are on this list is not a reflection of my personal taste or even that I’ve read them — I want you to find what works for you.
Bastard out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison, literary fiction (classic)
The Beach House by Mary Alice Monroe, fiction / chick lit
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson, poetry / memoir
My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix, horror / coming-of-age / 80s nostalgia
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, coming-of-age fiction
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix, horror / humor / 80s nostalgia
Sullivan’s Island by Dorothea Benton Frank, fiction / chick lit
Purchase via Bookshop to support independent bookstores.
Purchase via Amazon? Links coming soon.
Photo credit: Erick Zajac