Grazer that I am, I have bookmarks in quite a few books:
BASTARD OUT OF CAROLINA (I’m into Southern culture, lately)
THE INQUISITION (I see the same mentality nowadays — scary)
KOSHER NATION (the joys of rabbinic supervision)
John and Dale are my friends and retired scholars from UNC Chapel Hill. The book is southern to the core and will give you an excuse to spend some time in NC eating and soaking up the real culture