Music, Mountains and Moonshine

Is there a book you love and feel does a great job of highlighting its Tennessee 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.

Bloodroot by Amy Greene, literary fiction

Purchase via Bookshop

Child of God by Cormac McCarthy, literary fiction

Purchase via Bookshop

The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner, fiction / coming-of-age

Purchase via Bookshop

This Side of Eternity by Rosalyn McMillan, fiction / historical fiction

Not available via Bookshop

The Son of Mr. Suleman by Eric Jerome Dickey, romance

Purchase via Bookshop

Purchase via Bookshop to support independent bookstores.

Purchase via Amazon? Links coming soon.

Photo credit: Erick Zajac