Melanie Jones of The Columbia Spectator is writing a weekly review on Thursdays called the 50 States of Literature. She is giving “a list of 50 books that we think capture the essence of each state, all while telling a great story along the way.” So far she’s written about books for three states (click on the title for the review):
- Alabama – To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- Michigan - The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides
- North Dakota – Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
I haven’t read The Virgin Suicides, but I have read Eugenides’ Middlesex and thought it gave a great sense of place for Detroit. To Kill a Mockingbird and Peace Like a River were two of my favorite books that I read last year, and I agree wholeheartedly that they are ideal representatives for Alabama and North Dakota.
Any guesses for your particular state? I’m thinking Gilead or A Thousand Acres for Iowa, and perhaps something by Wendell Berry or Silas House for Kentucky.
I’m eagerly anticipating the remaining 47 choices!
FYI – Bonnie is also tracking the 50 states through her Book Through The States challenge.
http://bookaroundthestates.blogspot.com/
=) Jill
This is such a fun idea. Where do you find Melanie’s column on the newspaper’s website? I searched and couldn’t find anything.
Jill, I use Bonnie’s site as well, but I thought this was a great resource, too!
Susan, click on the book title for the review.
Oh, duh! Thanks.
That’s a cool idea. And I’ll agree that Middlesex depicts Detroit well, but it was the Detroit of 40 years ago. Whether things have changed for the better or the worse, I can’t say, but I’m relatively things have changed.
cjh
That sounds great. I’ll be very interested to see what else she comes up with. I wonder if you can use some books that you’ve already read for the challenge?
BTW I just tagged you for a quick little meme.
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2008/02/book-meme-123.html
Living in California – I don’t know how you can overlook Steinbeck. I’m going to check this one out.
Oh, this sounds like great fun! I wonder what she’ll pick for Missouri (my home town). Hmmm, that’s a tough one methinks. I have PEACE LIKE A RIVER sitting on my bookshelf. Maybe I should pick it up now. I keep forgetting it’s there even though I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it.
I bet Texas will be Lonesome Dove! We’ll see.
This sounds fascinating, even as a non-American. I’m going to be watching her list also.
John at the Book Mine Set is a good source for books representing every Canadian province, thanks to his currently running Canadian Book Challenge.
I think Little Women for Massachusetts.