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Novel and True North Carolina: A Reading List
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items This list is a little journey through the state in books — from Asheville’s literary legends to the marshlands of the coast. Some of the titles are old favorites; others I’ve discovered since moving here and often find myself recommending to friends ...
Set in the fictional town of Altamont, inspired by Asheville, Wolfe’s debut novel captures the turbulence of growing up in early 20th-century North Carolina. It’s a lyrical coming-of-age story shaped by his own life and surroundings. I first sought i...
Look Homeward, Angel — Thomas Wolfe
Like Cold Mountain, this novel takes place in the mountains of North Carolina during and after the Civil War. It follows one woman’s quiet strength as she rebuilds her life and community in the postwar South. Dykeman’s storytelling honors the grit an...
The Tall Woman — Wilma Dykeman
Inspired by real places in the North Carolina mountains, this modern classic tells the story of a Confederate soldier’s long journey home and the woman who waits for him. I’ve seen Cold Mountain’s peak in the distance, though the hike is far beyond m...
Cold Mountain — Charles Frazier
Set in 18th-century North Carolina, this historical novel blends romance, adventure, and real historical events. Part of the Outlander series, it follows characters navigating life in the backcountry and the wider political and social turmoil of the ...
The Fiery Cross — Diana Gabaldon (Outlander Series #5)
I haven’t read this one yet, but it was recommended by folks in my community for a reason. Three stories over time in different regions of NC — mountains, Piedmont, coast — all woven together around a family heirloom and the pull of history. If you l...
Green Forest, Red Earth, Blue Sea|Paperback
Set in the marshlands of coastal North Carolina, this bestselling novel weaves mystery, romance, and survival into one unforgettable story. Owens paints the natural world as vividly as any character, making the wild places feel alive. Whether you rea...
Where the Crawdads Sing — Delia Owens
Many of Nicholas Sparks’ novels unfold along North Carolina’s coast, from Beaufort to New Bern and Rodanthe. The Notebook is one of his best-known tales of enduring love — I personally prefer the movie, which brought the characters and setting to lif...
Nicholas Sparks — North Carolina Author - List of Books
This North Carolina–set debut explores love, loss, and memory across generations. Told from multiple perspectives, it shows how a single tragedy can ripple through families and time. Its sense of place feels both intimate and haunting — small-town li...
Loving the Dead and Gone — Judith Turner-Yamamoto
Set in the small mountain town of Black Mountain, this post-apocalyptic thriller imagines life after an electromagnetic pulse wipes out modern technology. I’ve read the first two books in the series and can’t wait to dive into the final two. When Hur...
One Second After — William R. Forstchen
Known as “The Poet of the People,” Carl Sandburg captured the heart and voice of America — from the hum of Chicago to the quiet rhythms of rural life in North Carolina. His words are simple yet profound, shaped by compassion, curiosity, and keen obse...
Selected Poems — Carl Sandburg
This book goes far beyond funny sayings and Southern twang — it’s a deep dive into the language and speech patterns that shape North Carolina’s identity. I received it as a going-away gift when I first moved here, and it introduced me to the state in...
Talkin’ Tar Heel: How Our Voices Tell the Story of North Carolina — Walt Wolfram & Jeffrey Reaser
Maya Angelou (1928–2014) wore many titles: poet, memoirist, educator, and activist among them. She called Winston-Salem home for over 30 years, teaching at Wake Forest University and continuing her creative and civil rights work. Her voice remains on...
Maya Angelou — Author, Poet, and North Carolina Legend
This excellent online resource connects readers to the state’s rich literary heritage — linking authors, books, and the real or imagined places that inspired them. It’s a wonderful way to explore North Carolina’s literary geography and discover write...
North Carolina Literary Map