The Mountains That Made Me
How Roanoke Shaped Author Jennifer Brody’s Stories—and Her Summer Reading List
Roanoke, VA
Author: Roanoke Rambler Staff, Tina Charisma Lead
Published: 8:05 AM EST June 24, 2026
Edited: 8:05 AM EST June 24, 2026
As summer settles across the Roanoke Valley, many readers are building their seasonal reading lists for lake days, mountain overlooks, and quiet afternoons with a good book. For author Jennifer Brody, those moments are deeply familiar.
Jennifer Brody was born and raised in Roanoke, Virginia. She’ll be the first to tell you that matters.
“It was a safe and nurturing place to grow up, filled with natural beauty that definitely shaped me into the writer I am today. The mountains and valleys sparked my imagination from a young age.”
That imagination carried her a long way. Today, Brody is an award-winning author whose Continuum Trilogy helped establish her as a voice in science fiction and fantasy, and whose work now extends to major entertainment properties including Disney’s Chills series.
When Brody thinks about the places that shaped her as a writer, her mind goes back to Roanoke. She grew up an avid reader — the kind of kid who needed places to disappear into a book. Roanoke gave her plenty of them. Her work spans science fiction, fantasy, and horror, and she credits the Blue Ridge Mountains, local folklore, and the resilience of Appalachian communities with helping form the stories she tells today.
Though she now lives in Texas, she says many of the stories she tells — and the books she loves — can still be traced back to the landscapes and communities of her Roanoke upbringing.
The Spots That Sparked Her
“The Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks around Roanoke — near Mill Mountain or the Parkway itself — were always my sanctuaries. There’s something about that sweeping mountain view, the fresh air, and the sense of timelessness that clears the mind for writing or deep thinking.”
As a child and young adult, she often found inspiration in familiar local spaces.
“I’d settle in at Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea downtown with a book or notebook. The cozy vibe and local energy made it a perfect spot to create.”
Even now, years after leaving Virginia, those memories continue to shape her work and the stories she tells.
The Appalachian Stories That Stay With Her
While Brody’s novels often transport readers into fantastical worlds, the themes that inspire her remain grounded in Appalachia.
“What inspires me most is the strength and resilience of the people, intertwined with the rich folklore and hidden histories of the region.”
Those influences can be found in her recent short story “Denizen of Deep Holler,” published in Weird Tales. The story blends the grit of a mining town with ancient mythology while drawing on the traditions and atmosphere of Appalachia.
Her forthcoming story “What the Water Gave Me,” which will appear in the Waterborne horror anthology in early 2026, draws on a local urban legend while exploring themes of survival, resilience, and a woman fighting back against domestic abuse.
For Brody, Appalachia offers far more than the stereotypes often associated with the region.
“These nuanced tales of endurance, community, and the supernatural deserve the spotlight. Moving beyond stereotypes to celebrate the heart, ingenuity, and enduring spirit of Appalachia.”
What’s on Jennifer Brody’s Summer Reading List?
Summer reading remains one of Brody’s favorite traditions, and this year she’s gravitating toward stories that blend darkness, humor, and unforgettable characters.
At the top of her list is Nothing Tastes as Good by Luke Dumas.
“He was on a San Diego Comic-Con panel with me last year and we really hit it off, so I can’t wait to read his new horror novel.”
Also on her nightstand are Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman and Harvest Season by Brynne Weaver.
“I like books that are dark with a sense of humor and can transport you into another world with great characters.”
For Roanoke readers searching for their next summer read, she recommends two titles.
The first is Playing House by Rachel Harrison — a sharp, darkly funny haunted-house story with family drama and real emotional depth.
The second is Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir.
“It’s one of my all-time favorite sci-fi reads. Roanoke readers who love smart, hopeful stories with ingenuity and wonder will devour it—perfect for summer days by the lake or on a mountain overlook.”
What’s Next?
Brody is currently putting the finishing touches on A Sacrifice of Destiny and Desire, the third installment in her Sacrifice of Blood and Stars trilogy. The enemies-to-lovers science fiction saga is scheduled for release this fall and is already available for preorder.
Readers can also pick up Karma Is a Beast, the recently released sequel to Namaste & Slay. Both books are available as audiobooks through Podium.
From mountain overlooks in Roanoke to projects with Disney, Brody’s career has taken her far from Southwest Virginia. Yet she says the stories she tells remain deeply connected to the place where they began.
Carrying Roanoke Home
For all the distance she’s traveled, Brody hasn’t gone far in the ways that count.
“The mountains and valleys sparked my imagination from a young age, and there’s a storytelling tradition in Southwest Virginia—oral histories, family lore, that Appalachian resilience—that shaped my voice. It taught me to draw power from my roots while dreaming big.”
Brody’s story is a reminder that place doesn’t only belong to those who never leave. It also belongs to those who carry it with them — and, in equal measure, to those who arrive here from somewhere else and find something worth writing about. Roanoke has always been shaped by people moving through it, staying in it, and seeing it with fresh eyes. The stories worth telling about this valley are not only found in its past; they are still being lived, still being noticed, and still waiting to be written.
Today, Brody is finishing a new novel, writing new stories, and working on a project for Disney. But the mountains that inspired her remain close.
“Though I’m exploring new adventures, I always come back home to Roanoke.”
“I carry Roanoke with me wherever I go.”