One Second After by Willliam Forstchen. It's a great book about what happens after an EMP hits the US. The book is very realistic and it's setting is in western North Carolina.
Check out the Bluetti brand. They have several models for different needs. I have one that I use here in south Florida and love it. They are easy to use and recharge, very quiet, can use them indoors and best of all, you don't have to worry about running out of gas.