As you may know, Xpress has been posting regular updates on the local literary community in our “Book Report” blog. This is a dandy way of keeping up with all things current on the local lit scene, but it’s not such a good way to learn about the WNC-penned classics.
So, I’m turning it over to you. What’s your favorite locally related book? (By which I mean written by a local, set in the area, about an exclusively local topic or published locally.)
Due to an inability to concentrate - and acute, undiagnosed ADD - I am unable to read books, but I do enjoy movies. My favorites are “Wild Things”, “Bound,” “Heavenly Creatures” and “Mulholland Drive” for obvious reasons.
Is there a local author who writes about things like that?
Hey Steve, thanks for taking my facetious hijacking of your thread positively and actually giving me good info!
In return, I did some research, and while I could not find any local authors of the genre mentioned, I did turn up the burgeoning, less mainstream genre that apparently focuses on the reverse situation/interest.
It doesn’t seem to get as much media play in things like beer commercials and movies (except recent ones like Brokeback Mountain) - and chiefly seems to cater to straight women (as well as gay males I guess) and is penned by an Asheville author(ess) who has set at least two of her stories right here in Asheville, so, if you are counting e-books too, I’ll provide some actual content for the thread instead of smartalecky replies, but, just this once:
This book had me from ‘hello’ - well, actually, it had me from the word ’Asheville‘, my beloved second home. Ally Blue spins a marvelous tale of love, learning to trust, and sex in this mountain town full of passion and zinging life. Besides, who can resist a tough-as-nails hero with hidden depths and a second hero with a heart of gold? Forgotten Song is a winner among winners. Definitely a recommended read.
Willa Okati, author of Freedom Rising (Changeling Press)
While leading an amateur ghost-hunting expedition in Asheville, NC, Bay City Paranormal is called to investigate Sunset Lodge, a rustic inn situated on a remote Smoky Mountain peak. In recent weeks, employees and guests alike have seen a weird, frightening creature in the forest near the lodge. A creature which sounds all too familiar to the BCPI team.
well… all of mine, of course. ;-) ... but there are some great writers who have plied their trade in Asheville. Bob Terrell “the dean of mountain writers) is still cranking them out (I’m publishing two more by him this summer), John Parris (long gone but one of the best at doing mountain books), Talmage Powell (also gone), some guy named Wolfe who did come home to be buried, Bill Forsten, Ian Wallace (gone but still great SF), Edgar-winner Rick Boyer, and many others, some of which I’ve had the honor of publishing over the last 30 years.
I’ve read several by Fred Chappell (north carolinian) that I very much enjoyed.
I also had the pleasure of meeting him once at a book reading/signing and he was very gracious and a marvelous reader.
I’ve read several by Fred Chappell (north carolinian) that I very much enjoyed.
I also had the pleasure of meeting him once at a book reading/signing and he was very gracious and a marvelous reader.
Fred is indeed an excellent writer and served as Poet Laureate of North Carolina. He’s from Canton; one us, the mountain people. ;-)
hmmm… comparing Jason to a Japanese video game? ... well, I would have to submit the classic “Zero Wing” with this famous dialog:
Narrator: In A.D. 2101, war was beginning.
Captain: What happen ?
Mechanic: Somebody set up us the bomb.
Operator: We get signal.
Captain: What !
Operator: Main screen turn on.
Captain: It’s you !!
CATS: How are you gentlemen !!
CATS: All your base are belong to us.
CATS: You are on the way to destruction.
Captain: What you say !!
CATS: You have no chance to survive make your time.
CATS: Ha Ha Ha Ha ....
Operator: Captain !! *
Captain: Take off every ‘ZIG’!!
Captain: You know what you doing.
Captain: Move ‘ZIG’.
Captain: For great justice.
Yes, Jason, all your base are belong to us!
Take that Pokémon!
[hints for Jason to reply: Pokémon is the second most successful game-based media franchise in history, Mario is the first.]
