A literary guide for locals, newcomers, dreamers, and salty-air book lovers
There’s something about the Lowcountry that gets into your bones. Maybe it’s the hush of the Spanish moss at dusk or the way the marshes seem to breathe with the tide. Maybe it’s the soft clink of oyster shells underfoot or the unmistakable perfume of pluff mud after rain. Whatever it is—this place tells stories. And once you live here (or even visit), those stories start to feel like your own.
We pulled together a list of books—some fiction, some nonfiction, a few for children—that bring the Lowcountry to life. Whether you’re curled up on a screened porch in Moss Creek, sunning at Coligny Beach, or wandering Beaufort’s historic streets, these books connect you to the history, heart, and haunting beauty of this unforgettable region.
So pour a glass of sweet tea (or a chilled rosé—we don’t judge), and let’s dive in.
HILTON HEAD ISLAND & BLUFFTON READS
Hilton Head Island: A History by Richard Thomas
An essential for those who want to understand the roots of the island. Long before golf and gated communities, this was Gullah land, a Civil War outpost, and a sacred piece of coastal culture.
Buy on Amazon
The Water Is Wide by Pat Conroy
Conroy’s memoir of teaching on Daufuskie (called "Yamacraw" in the book) is part love letter, part social reckoning. If you’ve ever taken the ferry over or walked the island’s sandy roads, you’ll feel the heartbeat of this one.
Buy on Amazon
Jackpot by Jason Ryan
Yes, Hilton Head had a wild side in the 1970s. This true-crime read about marijuana smugglers flying drugs into the island is like Narcos, but with shrimp boats.
Buy on Amazon
A Gullah Alphabet by Dr. Emory Campbell
A children’s book with deep cultural meaning. The Gullah people helped shape this region, and this book is a wonderful way to introduce their language and legacy.
Buy on Amazon
Sweetgrass by Mary Alice Monroe
Sweetgrass baskets are more than art—they’re heritage. This novel honors that tradition and the families who fight to preserve it. Walk through Old Town Bluffton’s farmers market and you’ll spot sweetgrass artistry still alive today.
Buy on Amazon
Last Light Over Carolina by Mary Alice Monroe
Set just up the coast, but the spirit feels familiar. This one hits differently if you’ve watched shrimp boats head out of Skull Creek at dawn.
Buy on Amazon
BEAUFORT BOOKS
Trouble the Water by Rebecca Dwight Bruff
Robert Smalls is a true Lowcountry hero. Born enslaved in Beaufort, he stole a Confederate ship, saved lives, and became a U.S. Congressman. You can visit his home downtown or see the school he founded on St. Helena.
Buy on Amazon
The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy
No one paints Beaufort’s tides like Conroy. Melancholy, lush, and unforgettable—read it, then drive over the Woods Memorial Bridge at golden hour and you’ll understand.
Buy on Amazon
South of Broad by Pat Conroy
A sweeping love story to Charleston, but it still bleeds into Beaufort’s culture and history. Conroy always brings us home, no matter where the pages go.
Buy on Amazon
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Love it or critique it, this book shaped how many outsiders first saw the South. Read it with a modern eye—it opens up hard conversations about legacy, landscape, and memory.
Buy on Amazon
Seiler House by Susan D. Taylor
Haunted homes, Lowcountry ghosts, and family secrets—need we say more?
Buy on Amazon
SAVANNAH STORIES
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt
Take the book, then take the walking tour. You’ll never look at Savannah’s Spanish moss and cast-iron fences the same way again.
Buy on Amazon
Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan
The "Titanic of the South" wrecked off the coast in 1838. This dual timeline brings the past to light in a way that lingers.
Buy on Amazon
Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman
Think Southern charm, strong women, and second chances. A perfect book for anyone who’s rebuilt their life in the Lowcountry.
Buy on Amazon
Liberty Street by Jason K. Friedman
A Jewish family’s tale unfolds in a Savannah mansion—think history, restoration, and discovering who you really are.
Buy on Amazon
Savannah Blues by Mary Kay Andrews
Junking, sleuthing, and sass—if you’ve ever wandered through a Savannah antique store, this book will feel like a homecoming.
Buy on Amazon
CHARLESTON & GULLAH HERITAGE
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
One of those novels that stays with you. Set in 1960s South Carolina, this story is steeped in honey, heartbreak, and healing.
Buy on Amazon
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
Inspired by Charleston’s Grimké sisters—bold abolitionists and early feminists—this novel reminds us just how layered Charleston’s history is.
Buy on Amazon
Gullah Tears by Josie Olsvig
Hentie’s story—of survival, family, and Gullah identity—feels like sacred history. Deeply moving.
Buy on Amazon
Circle Unbroken by Margot Theis Raven
A breathtaking children’s story about sweetgrass basket weaving and cultural memory. If you’ve ever driven Hwy 17 and seen baskets sold roadside, this book gives them a voice.
Buy on Amazon
Porgy by DuBose Heyward
The novel that launched an opera and immortalized Charleston’s Catfish Row.
Buy on Amazon
PARANORMAL & ROMANTIC LOWCOUNTRY
Deepest Midnight by Clara Winter
An immortal love story with just the right amount of Southern mystery and moonlight.
Buy on Amazon
Angels in the Dark by Lauren Kate
If you love gothic vibes and stories about light vs. dark, this one’s for you.
Buy on Amazon
Little Chicken Duck by Tim Beiser
A feel-good children's book perfect for bedtime at the beach.
Buy on Amazon
Let The Cobb Group Be Part of Your Story
We believe that stories live in homes, in neighborhoods, in porch swings, and around backyard oyster roasts. At The Cobb Group, brokered by eXp Realty, we help you find more than a house—we help you find your Lowcountry story. Whether you're relocating, retiring, or finally buying that second home near the beach, we're ready to walk the journey with you.
Let’s write your next chapter together.
www.thecobbgroup.com
Written by Allison Cobb
The author assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or emissions in the content of this blog. The information provided on is an “as is” basis with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, usefulness, or timeliness.
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