Holiday Gift Suggestions: South Louisiana

Time is ticking to get that special someone a holiday gift. Here are several fantastic books to consider, especially for those living in South Louisiana.

“Louisiana Trail Riders” by Jeremiah Ariaz (UL Press) examines the African American Trail Riding Clubs rooted in Creole culture with a collection of riveting black and white photos in a coffee table book. These trail rides enhanced by zydeco music and good eating have been part of the South Louisiana landscape since the 18^th century.

Creole means many things in and out of Louisiana but Dr. Elista Istre discusses the group consisting of African, Europeans and North American heritage living on Louisiana’s prairies in “Creoles of South Louisiana: Three Centuries Strong” (UL Press). The result was a distinct culture that resonates in South Louisiana food, music and language. Istre served as consultant and assistant director for the documentary, “First Cousins: Cajun and Creole Music in South Louisiana.”

Spanish Canary Islanders arrived in Louisiana in the mid-1700s and some settled below New Orleans where they built communities. And that included places to dance. Sara Ann Harris looks at these halls plus the Islenos language, music and food in “The Dance Halls of Spanish Louisiana” (Pelican Publishing).

While we’re on the subject of dance halls, you might want to pick up a copy of “Ghosts of Good Times: Louisiana Dance Halls Past and Present” by Herman Fuselier and Philip Gould, which came out in 2016 by UL Press. You can read that review here.

Louisiana Book News is written by award-winning author Chere Dastugue Coen, who writes Louisiana romances and mysteries under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Her first book in each series is FREE to download as an ebook, including "Emilie," book one of The Cajun Series, "Ticket to Paradise," book one of The Cajun Embassy series and "A Ghost of a Chance," the first Viola Valentine mystery.