Five Great Reads for the Southern at Heart

1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: I think we're born with a liking for this book. It's one of those things, like comfort food, that you can go back to over and over again and read it. Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the publication, but this one remains relevant year after year.

2. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain: The number of little league players running around Hickory Flat these days makes you realize that little boys are still as mischievous as they were in those days. However, this one is probably better suited for the adults or older children (we don't want Patch to be responsible for giving kids the idea to run away).

3. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell: For a novel that hits closer to home, buck up and read the entire book instead of watching the movie. This one, set in Atlanta, is perfect for the beach.

4. All Over but the Shoutin by Rick Bragg: Any of Bragg's works fall into this category, but you might as well start with the first. Trust us, you won't regret that one.

5. The Oxford American by various authors: Realistically, not everyone likes to haul around a copy of Gone with the Wind everywhere the go. For those who prefer shorter pieces, there is the Oxford American, a little known magazine outside of the journalism and writing circles.