5 novels by Huntsville-area authors you should read now

The Huntsville area has an abundance of talent — whether it is visual arts, music, theater or other media — and that includes writing. We have a good number of writers in the area who have published novels that you should definitely pick up and read.

Check out these novels from Huntsville-area writers:

Free and Clear – by JW Fowler

Huntsville resident and native Bill Fowler published his first novel, Free and Clear, in 2020. Fowler, a musician himself, introduces the reader to the character Andy McDaniel, an Alabama musician going through a difficult time in his life — divorce, a dead-end job and ensuing depression.

He ends up forming an unlikely friendship with his idol, rock star Ben Landry, after a social media rift surrounding the legendary musician.

What follows is an in-depth look at how music and life so often mirror one another, and looks at some of the more complicated elements of relationships, love and ambition.

The Professor – by Robert Bailey

A civil defense attorney in Huntsville, Robert Bailey is the bestselling author of the Jason Rich series, the McMurtrie and Drake legal thrillers series, the Bocephus Haynes series, among other titles. The Professor is the first of the McMurtrie and Drake series.

This story is set in Alabama and involves evil big business and corrupt politicians versus a seasoned law professor and his young protegee.

Powder House – by Judd Vowell

Huntsville native Judd Vowell is the author of the Overthrown series, which is worth delving into in itself. His latest novel is my favorite.

Powder House takes you through the story of Julie Danner, who has been running away from home for nine years. She hoped leaving small-town Hopes Ridge and starting a career in journalism would silence the voices in her head causing her to question her own sanity.

But when her wheelchair-bound dad calls, asking for help with her unraveling mother, she’s forced to go back home and confront the woman she hoped to never see again. If returning home weren’t bad enough, the house Julie moves back to may be haunted.

Homegoing – by Yaa Gyasi

Yaa Gyasi is a Ghanaian-American novelist who grew up in Huntsville and went on to win the 2020 Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Literature.

Homegoing follows a descendant of an Asante woman named Maame, starting with her two daughters — who are half-sisters, separated by circumstance.

Effia marries James Collins, the British governor in charge of Cape Coast Castle, while her half-sister Esi is held captive in the dungeons below. Subsequent chapters tell stories of their children and following generations.

Carrying Albert Home – by Homer Hickam

Big Fish meets The Notebook in this emotionally evocative story about a man, a woman, and an alligator that is a moving tribute to love, from the New York Times bestselling author of the award-winning memoir Rocket Boys—the basis of the movie October Sky.

Homer Hickam is the winner of the prestigious University of Alabama’s Clarence Cason Award and the Appalachian Heritage Writer’s Award for his memoirs and fiction, plus many other writing awards including an honorary Doctorate of Literature from Marshall University.

Hickam is probably best known for his # 1 New York Times best-selling memoir Rocket Boys which was adapted into the ever-popular movie October Sky.

What are some more works of fiction we need to read by Huntsville-area authors? Let us know on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram, and be sure to subscribe to our newsletter.