Living in East Tennessee for fourteen years, I loved the rich culture and natural beauty of the area.  The nearby Smoky Mountains offered an endless source of entertainment, and the friendly manner of the locals made it easy to feel right at home.

October, the busiest time of the year for the Gatlinburg area, is just around the corner.  I know what this means... plenty of families are planning their fall getaway to view the fiery colors of the mountainsides, and to pick up some fresh homemade apple butter!  If you'll heading up I-26 in a few weeks, check out one of these books to get in the mood for your mountain vacation.

Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business by Dolly Parton.  If you haven't picked up on this already, then you need to know before you go: don’t dis Dolly!  East Tennesseans can't say enough good things about Dolly Parton.  Of course, she's had a wildly successful country music career, but what is especially endearing about her is that she never forgets her roots and is continually working to give back to her hometown of Sevierville.  Don’t let the big hair and glitter fool you:  she’s smart as a whip and has earned a great deal of respect for her big heart and unassuming ways. 

Christy by Catherine Marshall.  This charming novel is based on the life of Catherine Marshall’s mother, who left a privileged upbringing to become a schoolteacher in the isolated Smoky Mountains.  The story is set in scenic Del Rio, TN, whose other recent claim to fame is for being busted by the FBI for hosting a thriving cockfighting ring leading to 143 arrests.  Oy vey!

Mountain Hands:  A Portrait of Southern Appalachia by Sam Venable.  Native son Sam Venable contributes a humor column to the Knoxville News-Sentinel, as well as authors books about East Tennessee culture.  Mountain Hands provides a fascinating glimpse into the works and lives of over 40 regional artisans, including my friend, potter Debbie Van Cleave.