The Triangle is steeped in a vibrant literary culture and just so happens to be home to some of the country’s top authors. Today, we’ve taken the opportunity to create a list of writers from our region, to help inspire your next book club pick. 🖋
If you’ve been in the mood to discover a new favorite author + curl up with a good read, then you’re in the right place. ProTip: Once you’ve selected your next title, head over to your favorite bookstore and pick up a copy locally.
Fantasy
📕 Daniel Wallace | Daniel has written six novels, most notably Big Fish, which was adapted and directed by Tim Burton as a major motion picture in 2003 + later became a Broadway musical. Daniel’s books have been translated into more than 36 languages and have received numerous accolades, including the Sir Walter Raleigh Prize for best fiction published in North Carolina. He is currently a Professor of English at UNC Chapel Hill — his alma mater — where he is the director of the creative writing program. Browse titles here.
Historical Fiction
📕 Nancy Peacock | This author is known for her New York Times Notable Book Life Without Water, and runs writing workshops + retreats in Hillsborough. Nancy has written four books + was recognized as NC’s 2018 Piedmont Laureate in the novelist category. Browse titles here.
Humor
📕 David Sedaris | David’s portfolio includes his New York Times bestselling collection of fables entitled Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary, humorous essays titled Calypso (which discusses his experience growing up in Raleigh) + the audio version of his novel Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls — a 56th annual Grammy Awards Nominee for Best Spoken Word Album. There are currently more than 10 million copies of Sedaris’s books in print with translations in 25+ languages. Browse titles here.
📕 Ann B. Ross | Ann has written multiple NYT bestsellers, including her Miss Julia series, which is set in North Carolina and is known for its diverse discussion points surrounding Southern culture. Browse titles here.
Mystery
📕 Margaret Maron | Margaret is an award-winning mystery novelist who has written more than 20 books — which have been translated into seven languages. Her novel Bootlegger’s Daughter was featured on the Washington Post’s bestseller list and has won multiple awards. Browse titles here.
Science Fiction
📕 John Kessel | Books include Pride and Prometheus, The Moon and the Other, Good News from Outer Space and Corrupting Dr. Nice. This author has twice won the Nebula Award — which is issued by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America — and John’s story “A Clean Escape” was adapted as an episode for the ABC television series Masters of Science Fiction. He also helped found the creative writing MFA program at NC State, where he has taught since 1982. Browse titles here.
Young Adult
📕 Sarah Dessen | Sarah is a #1 New York Times best selling author of over a dozen novels. She is an alumnus of UNC and a resident of Chapel Hill. Sarah has been published in more than 30 countries with millions of copies selling globally. Books include Keeping the Moon, Dreamland, This Lullaby, and The Truth About Forever. Browse titles here.
📕 Renée Ahdieh | This #1 New York Times + USA Today bestselling author is known for her series The Wrath and the Dawn. A graduate from UNC Chapel Hill, Renee draws upon East Asian and Persian culture in her characters and storylines. Browse titles here.
Youth
📕 Kwame Mbalia | This author is a #1 New York Times bestseller known for his middle-grade novel Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky. Kwame’s sequel Tristan Strong Destroys the World was released in 2016. This author was inspired to write the series because he wanted to portray characters in lead roles that he rarely saw represented as a child. Browse titles here.
📕 Frances O’Roark Dowell | Frances is a resident of Durham and is best known for her “beloved books for tweens and teenagers,” as featured in the New York Times Sunday Review. She has won the Edgar Award and William Allen White Award for her writing, among many other accolades. Frances’s experience growing up in Berlin, Germany on a U.S. military base has influenced her storytelling + writing style. Browse titles here.
Looking for a place to pick up your next read?
Grab your title from any of the local spots below. Did we miss your favorite? Email us and let us know.
○ Quail Ridge Books | 4209 Lassiter Mill Road | New Books○ Reader’s Corner | 3201 Hillsborough Street | Used Books
○ Cameron Village Regional Library | 1930 Clark Avenue | Public Library
○ Dog-Eared Books | 4027 Atlantic Avenue | Used Books
○ The Regulator Bookshop | 720 9th Street, Durham | New + Used Books
○ Letters Bookshop | 313 W. Main Street, Durham | New + Used Books
○ Golden Fig Books | 2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd., Durham | New + Used Books
○ Durham County Library - South Regional Library | 300 N. Roxboro Street, Durham | Public Library
○ Flyleaf Books | 752 M.L.K. Jr Blvd., Chapel Hill | New + Used Books
○ Purple Crow Books | 109 W. King Street, Hillsborough | New + Used Books
○ So & So Books | 704 N Person St, Raleigh | New Books
○ Friends of Chapel Hill Public Library | 100 Library Drive, Chapel Hill | Public Library
Contributed by Phoenix Berman
