Reviewed by: Patience Itson
5 local authors you need to know + how to get involved in Birmingham’s literary world
Reading time: 3 minutes
Maybe you’re a book lover yourself, looking for a last-minute gift for the reader in your life or just love to support local. Either way, we’ve got just the thing for you to dive head-first into Birmingham’s beautiful land of books.
5 Birmingham authors you’ll love
1. Jim Reed
We all know and love him as the owner of the eccentric Jim Reed Books, but did you know that Jim Reed has produced original work, too?
The author is known for What I Said, Christmas Comes But Once A Day and many more “wise and witty” publications.
- Buy online
- Follow Jim Reed: Website | Facebook
- Visit Jim Reed Books: 2021 3rd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
2. Joey McClure
Joey McClure grew up between Coosa and Talladega Counties and fell in love with writing in a Sylacauga high school.
The book Real Stories from a Fictitious Man is a sampling of McClure’s short stories—a culmination of memories and encounters in the South.
- Buy online: Book Nook
- Follow Joey McClure
3. T.K. Thorne
Known as an important Alabama author in several genres, T.K. Thorne has released relevant and intriguing stories about Birmingham’s past.
Some of her work includes Behind the Magic Curtain, Last Chance for Justice and the Magic City Stories trilogy.
4. Charles Ghinga
Charles Ghinga’s website states that he has “the best job in the world,” writing books for children.
Ghinga writes fun stories for your kiddos such as The Father Goose, Returning to Earth and Love is Everything.
5. Chervis Isom
Isom’s memoir The Newspaper Boy: Coming of Age in Birmingham, Alabama during the Civil Rights Era, shares his journey delivering newspapers during the Jim Crow racism of his youth.
I snagged a copy of The Newspaper Boy while browsing at Jim Reed Books. Grab it for yourself and join me in reading about Birmingham’s history told by Chervis Isom.
Get involved in Birmingham’s literary world
As a self-claimed book lover and connoisseur of all things Birmingham—I was more than eager to scope out the local author world.
I talked to a few local bookstores to see different ways to get involved in the Birmingham book scene. Here are a few:
- Birmingham Arts Journal is operated by passionate volunteers and publishes work by authors + artists worldwide. Plus, it’s edited by Jim Reed!
- Little Professor Bookshop offers story times from local guest readers + authors as well as book clubs for you to nerd out with new friends.
- Thank You Books is never short of ways to get your read on. The lineup of author readings, signings + book clubs is stacked for January on.
Check out more Birmingham authors + their work.
Who are some of your favorite local authors? Tag us @bhamnow + let us know!
