1. Life in Dixie During the War — Mary Ann Harris Gay

A memoir by Covington‑born author Mary Ann Harris Gay. It offers a firsthand account of Southern civilian life during the Civil War and reflects the culture, landscape, and emotional climate of the region that includes Covington.

2. The Vampire Diaries (Book Series) — L.J. Smith

While the books are set in the fictional town of Fell’s Church, Virginia, the TV adaptation filmed in Covington and drew heavily on the town’s look and atmosphere. Many fans consider Covington the “real” Fell’s Church because of how closely the show’s Mystic Falls resembles the book’s setting.

3. The Originals (Tie‑In Novels)

Like The Vampire Diaries, the novels are not set in Covington, but the show’s filming there has retroactively tied the town to the series’ lore. Fans often read these books with Covington’s streets and square in mind.

4. In the Heat of the Night (Novel) — John Ball

The original novel is set in the fictional town of Wells, South Carolina, but the long‑running TV series filmed in Covington. Because of the show’s popularity, Covington is often associated with the book’s world.

5. Local Histories & Regional Books

These aren’t nationally famous titles, but they’re deeply tied to Covington’s identity and often sold in local shops and the Visitor Center:

• Newton County historical collections
• Civil War–era accounts
• Books documenting Covington’s film history
• Southern small‑town memoirs written by local authors

These works capture the spirit, architecture, and culture that define Covington.

6. Gone With the Wind (Inspiration Connection)

While not set in Covington, the historic Twelve Oaks home in Covington is said to have inspired the Twelve Oaks plantation in Margaret Mitchell’s novel. This makes the book part of Covington’s extended literary mythology.