What is the importance of the "holler" in the memoir, In the Shadow of the Valley?

The "holler" is where Bobi Conn grew up in the Appalachian Mountains and she gives a full description of what this means, including the difference between a "holler" and a "hollow." In Bobi's case, her paternal grandmother lived a short distance farther in the holler, which was significant because of the important role Granny played in Bobi's life. She also notes that her life was not necessarily typical. She notes that the holler is a symbol of life in this region.