The Reivers by William Faulkner, 320 pages

"The Reivers" is the library book clubs' classic pick this year.  It was originally published in 1962, about a month before William Faulkner died.

It is a rollicking and nostalgic story that the narrator, Lucius, is telling his own grandson nearly 60 years after it happened.  Lucius was 11 years old in 1905 when he and two family employees, one black and one white, "borrow" Lucius' grandfather's car and drive it from Jefferson, Mississippi to Memphis, Tennessee.  They pull this off because Lucius' parents and grandparents leave town to attend a funeral. 

Stolen cars, stolen horses, prostitutes, amoral lawmen are all part of this adventure.  I wondered all through the book when the term "Reivers" would come up.  It didn't.  I later read a review that said "reivers" is an old Scottish word that means "robber."  Ahh, well said, Mr. Faulkner.  I mostly internally cringe when I know I am going to read a CLASSIC, but I totally enjoyed this one.

The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen, 269 pages

This is one of those books I re-listen to periodically just because I enjoy it. 
I recently had a solo road trip and this little gem was the perfect companion.

Set in Mullaby, North Carolina, there are two main characters.  Emily is a 17 year old whose mother recently died and who just moved in with the grandfather she never knew she had.   Julia is a 36 year old who has reluctantly returned to Mullaby.  She left when she was 16 and never planned to live there again.

It's a magical little tale I never get tired of revisiting.

First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen, 304 pages

Sarah Addison Allen stories are set in North Carolina and are always whimsical and magical.  I am not typically a "gentle fiction" reader, but most of her stories fall into that category.

My only regret with this book is that I am waiting for Spring thaw as I'm listening to "First Frost."  It would have probably been a little more magical to listen in the Fall.

"First Frost" is a sequel to "Garden Spells."  It picks up 10 years after "Garden Spells" returning us to Bascom, North Carolina and the Waverley sisters Claire and Sydney.  Ahh, it's good to catch up with them again.

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg, 416 pages

I am going to hazard a guess that this is Fannie Flagg's most famous book.  I have known about this book for years, along with the movie, but somehow had missed reading it and watching the movie.  It's always been somewhere on my "to be read" list and now I've got it done.

The story begins in 1980 with 48 year old Evelyn, meeting old Mrs. Threadgoode at a nursing home.  Evelyn is premenopausal and extremely unhappy.  Mrs. Threadgoode loves to talk and tells Evelyn all about Whistle Stop, a railroad town that mostly disappeared when the railroad pulled out.  With the help of Mrs. Threadgoode, Evelyn begins to find her way to happiness.

The story goes back to the 1900s through the 1960's telling the story of the Threadgoode family in Whistlestop and Idgie and Ruth in particular, who ran the Whistle Stop Cafe.  The story is full of southern charm and the book even includes recipes at the end, including you guessed it - Fried Green Tomatoes.

The Sassy Belles by Beth Albright 300 pages

I guess I must be on some kind of southern girl streak.  Next thing you know, I will be wearing pearls and drinking sweet tea!  Anyway, this book was a pleasant surprise.  Sexy and funny with a little bit of mystery thrown in.  Think Stephanie Plum from Tuscaloosa...Blake O'Hara Heart not only dumps her cheating husband, hooks up with her high school sweet heart,  but saves her best friend from a murder charge and helps Vivi, (the other Sassy Belle) find her missing true love, the voice of the Crimson Tide.  This book contains one twist after another.  Add a jigger of gossip, a shot of family connections and some good old Southern traditions, and you have yourself a pleasant concoction.  Happy reading, y'all.