How to Find More N.C. Novels

The “Read North Carolina Novels” blog lists many works set in the state and it is growing all the time, but it by no means covers everything. There remain hundreds of North Carolina novels for you to discover on your own. Here’s how:

The North Carolina Collection, in Wilson Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, holds the state’s premier collection of North Carolina literature and is open to the public. In order to search its holdings, go the UNC Libraries catalog, select a “Subject” search and enter the phrase “North Carolina Fiction.”

“NoveList” is a helpful database available in North Carolina public and college libraries through NC Live. It provides basic information on novels and includes special features like “Find Similar Books.” Although the search engine allows you to search for novels using a number of criteria, doing an advanced search for “North Carolina” in “SU Subject” will provide a substantial list of N.C. novels. Look for NoveList in the listings of databases or electronic resources on your library’s website.

LibraryThing.com is an online service that helps individuals and organizations catalog their books online, but it also has a variety of other features, including links to book dealers and bookstores, reading recommendations, reviews, and online book conversations. The easiest way to find North Carolina novels using LibraryThing is to go to their search page and search for “North Carolina, fiction” or “North Carolina, novels” in the tags section.

Visit your local public library or bookstore.  North Carolina’s public libraries and bookstores–especially independent bookstores–often have sections or displays dedicated to local fiction.  They also have knowledgeable staff who can help you make selections.  Also, check out bookbuying websites like Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com to see what they have to offer.

12 Responses to How to Find More N.C. Novels

  1. Rebecca R.

    I’m searching for a non-fiction book about a Chapel Hill family that involves money and scandal. The title has either the words, “Little”, “Miss” or “Money” in the title. The front of the book is green.

    Does this ring a bell with anyone?

  2. Emily Jack

    Thanks for your comment, Rebecca. Is it possible you’re referring to H.G. Jones and David Southern’s recently published Miss Mary’s Money?

  3. Mindy

    I’m looking for a book I read about a young girl whose parents die and she goes to live with her aunt and uncle in Davidson, NC.

  4. Emily Jack

    Hmmm… That’s a tough one. Any of our other readers have ideas?

  5. delorespeck@netscape.net

    That’s the Lake Series…Amazon has it or Kindle. There are 3 novels in the series. I enjoyed them.

  6. Emily Jack

    Thanks for your helpful response!

  7. April Ulrey

    Looking for a novel written by a man – can’t remember his name, of course. Or the title of the book either. Paperback cover has part of NC map on it, probably an area in the center of the state. Story about a conservative, uptight CPA or real estate agent caught up in wild goose chase, meeting unusual, comical people of all walks of life along the way, caught up in hilariously complicated situations, ending with revelations about his father. His wife is liberal and very unsympathetic to his narrow-mindedness. The book begins with something about a lady rolled up in a rug, taken down the elevator with the janitor. Nothing is as it seems, he slowly begins to realize. Hilarious throughout. Not much to go on, but can you help me remember what I read in late 90’s, early 2000’s.

  8. Emily Jack

    Thanks for your question, April. That’s a challenging one! I’ll look around a bit — but also throw it to our other readers. Does this ring bells for anyone?

  9. Judy Thornburg

    I am searching for the title of an older book based in Southport about a young fisherman who also worked in the provision store. He met and fell in love with a young wealthy girl from Charlotte. Any help would be appreciated.

  10. Emily Jack

    Hmmm… Here’s a list of nine novels in the North Carolina Collection with the subject Southport (N.C.) — Fiction. None of them seem like perfect matches based on your description, though. A few possibilities:

    Edward Norvell’s Southport:

    Southport is the story of Todd Field, who as a young man leaves his home on a tobacco farm for the love of the North Carolina coast. He leaves behind a family cycle of alcohol, violence, and abuse. Set on Bald Head Island and along the historic Southport waterfront area during the 1970s and 1980s, the story tells of Todd’s journey through loss, betrayal, and pain to redemption and second chances.

    Marcia Martin’s Southern Secrets:

    Savannah King lived in the grandest mansion in Kingsport, and her family was the richest and most powerful. To Danny Sawyer, the housekeeper’s son, she was an angel from another world — a girl he vowed to love forever. Then tragedy struck both their lives. Danny left town, scandalized by a terrible accusation. And Savannah’s family was shattered by greed, madness, and suicide. Now, years later, fate has brought them back together again.

    And Nicholas Sparks’ Safe Haven:

    When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young children; and another with her plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family. But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her . . . a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo’s empathic and stubborn support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards . . . and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven.

    Do any of those sound promising?

  11. Sandra Keith Winstead

    Hi, our Senior Citizen’s Center would like to have an Author Series. Are there any resources that list contact info on authors to invite them to participate?

  12. John Blythe

    Hi Sandra,
    There’s no single source providing contact for authors. Some North Carolina authors are members of the N.C. Writers Network. The Writers Network website includes a section with link to authors’ websites: https://www.ncwriters.org/index.php/our-members/member-websites

    Additionally, some authors (or their publishers) maintain websites. Those sites usually have a “Contact” link on them. You could use Google or another search engine to find the authors’ websites and then reach out to them via the Contact link. There may be some delay in response. But, I suspect you will hear from the author or her/his publicist in due course. Good luck.

    John Blythe
    Assistant Curator
    North Carolina Collection
    Wilson Library, UNC-Chapel Hill

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