Selected by John Hart

Former Salisbury, North Carolina, criminal lawyer John Hart is known for his smooth Southern style that’s landed him a pile of literary awards. All his books also are on the New York Times best-seller list.

“I chose Row, the sequel to A Time to Kill, which was John’s first book, and arguably the best of his early novels. Writing a sequel to such a marquee achievement is a bold step for any writer. The expectations are immense, as is the potential for disappointment. John stepped up after two decades and knocked it out of the park. I love that kind of grit.”