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The 20 Best Books About American History

The books on this list are considered some of the most essential and best books on American history.

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1. A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn

“Known for its lively, clear prose as well as its scholarly research, it is the only volume to tell America’s story from the point of view of—and in the words of—America’s women, factory workers, African-Americans, Native Americans, the working poor, and immigrant laborers.”

2. 1776 by David McCullough

“It is the story of Americans in the ranks, men of every shape, size, and color, farmers, schoolteachers, shoemakers, no-accounts, and mere boys turned soldiers. And it is the story of the King’s men, the British commander, William Howe, and his highly disciplined redcoats who looked on their rebel foes with contempt and fought with a valor too little known.”

3. Empire of the Summer Moon by S. C. Gwynne

“The war with the Comanches lasted four decades, in effect holding up the development of the new American nation. Gwynne’s exhilarating account delivers a sweeping narrative that encompasses Spanish colonialism, the Civil War, the destruction of the buffalo herds, and the arrival of the railroads, and the amazing story of Cynthia Ann Parker and her son Quanah—a historical feast for anyone interested in how the United States came into being.”

4. Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation by Joseph J. Ellis

“Ellis argues that the checks and balances that permitted the infant American republic to endure were not primarily legal, constitutional, or institutional, but intensely personal, rooted in the dynamic interaction of leaders with quite different visions and values. Revisiting the old-fashioned idea that character matters, Founding Brothers informs our understanding of American politics–then and now–and gives us a new perspective on the unpredictable forces that shape history.”

5. Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin

“We view the long, horrifying struggle from the vantage of the White House as Lincoln copes with incompetent generals, hostile congressmen, and his raucous cabinet. He overcomes these obstacles by winning the respect of his former competitors, and in the case of Seward, finds a loyal and crucial friend to see him through. This brilliant multiple biography is centered on Lincoln’s mastery of men and how it shaped the most significant presidency in the nation’s history.”

6. No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II by Doris Kearns Goodwin

“With an extraordinary collection of details, Goodwin masterfully weaves together a striking number of story lines—Eleanor and Franklin’s marriage and remarkable partnership, Eleanor’s life as First Lady, and FDR’s White House and its impact on America as well as on a world at war. Goodwin effectively melds these details and stories into an unforgettable and intimate portrait of Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt and of the time during which a new, modern America was born.”

7. Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi

“In this deeply researched and fast-moving narrative, Kendi chronicles the entire story of anti-Black racist ideas and their staggering power over the course of American history. Stamped from the Beginning uses the life stories of five major American intellectuals to offer a window into the contentious debates between assimilationists and segregationists and between racists and antiracists.”

8. The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson

“In this beautifully written masterwork, Pulitzer Prize–winning author Isabel Wilkerson chronicles one of the great untold stories of American history: the decades-long migration of black citizens who fled the South for northern and western cities, in search of a better life. From 1915 to 1970, this exodus of almost six million people changed the face of America.”

9. Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era by James M. McPherson

“Particularly notable are McPherson’s new views on such matters as the slavery expansion issue in the 1850s, the origins of the Republican Party, the causes of secession, internal dissent and anti-war opposition in the North and the South, and the reasons for the Union’s victory.”

10. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West by Dee Brown

“Using council records, autobiographies, and firsthand descriptions, Brown introduces readers to great chiefs and warriors of the Dakota, Ute, Sioux, Cheyenne, and other tribes, revealing in heart wrenching detail the battles, massacres, and broken treaties that methodically stripped them of freedom. A forceful narrative still discussed today as revelatory and controversial, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee permanently altered our understanding of how the American West came to be defined.

11. The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism by Doris Kearns Goodwin

“The story is told through the intense friendship of Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft—a close relationship that strengthens both men before it ruptures in 1912, when they engage in a brutal fight for the presidential nomination that divides their wives, their children, and their closest friends, while crippling the progressive wing of the Republican Party, causing Democrat Woodrow Wilson to be elected, and changing the country’s history.”

12. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass

“In this, the first and most frequently read of his three autobiographies, Douglass provides graphic descriptions of his childhood and horrifying experiences as a slave as well as a harrowing record of his dramatic escape to the North and eventual freedom. Published in 1845 to quell doubts about his origins — since few slaves of that period could write — the Narrative is admired today for its extraordinary passion, sensitive and vivid descriptions and storytelling power.

13. The Guns of August by Barbara W. Tuchman

“In this landmark, Pulitzer Prize–winning account, renowned historian Barbara W. Tuchman re-creates the first month of World War I: thirty days in the summer of 1914 that determined the course of the conflict, the century, and ultimately our present world. Beginning with the funeral of Edward VII, Tuchman traces each step that led to the inevitable clash. And inevitable it was, with all sides plotting their war for a generation.”

14. 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus by Charles C. Mann

“Contrary to what so many Americans learn in school, the pre-Columbian Indians were not sparsely settled in a pristine wilderness; rather, there were huge numbers of Indians who actively molded and influenced the land around them. The astonishing Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan had running water and immaculately clean streets, and was larger than any contemporary European city. Mexican cultures created corn in a specialized breeding process that it has been called man’s first feat of genetic engineering.”

15. Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West by Stephen Ambrose

“Ambrose has pieced together previously unknown information about weather, terrain, and medical knowledge at the time to provide a vivid backdrop for the expedition. Lewis is supported by a rich variety of colorful characters, first of all Jefferson himself, whose interest in exploring and acquiring the American West went back thirty years. Next comes Clark, a rugged frontiersman whose love for Lewis matched Jefferson’s.”

16. John Adams by David McCullough

“This is history on a grand scale—a book about politics and war and social issues, but also about human nature, love, religious faith, virtue, ambition, friendship, and betrayal, and the far-reaching consequences of noble ideas. Above all, John Adams is an enthralling, often surprising story of one of the most important and fascinating Americans who ever lived.”

17. Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President by Candice Millard

“James Abram Garfield was one of the most extraordinary men ever elected president. Born into abject poverty, he rose to become a wunderkind scholar, a Civil War hero, a renowned congressman, and a reluctant presidential candidate who took on the nation’s corrupt political establishment.”

18. Blood and Thunder: The Epic Story of Kit Carson and the Conquest of the American West by Hampton Sides

“At the center of this sweeping tale is Kit Carson, the trapper, scout, and soldier whose adventures made him a legend. Sides shows us how this illiterate mountain man understood and respected the Western tribes better than any other American, yet willingly followed orders that would ultimately devastate the Navajo nation. Rich in detail and spanning more than three decades, this is an essential addition to our understanding of how the West was really won.”

19. Truman by David McCullough

“The last president to serve as a living link between the nineteenth and the twentieth centuries, Truman’s story spans the raw world of the Missouri frontier, World War I, the powerful Pendergast machine of Kansas City, the legendary Whistle-Stop Campaign of 1948, and the decisions to drop the atomic bomb, confront Stalin at Potsdam, send troops to Korea, and fire General MacArthur.”

20. Mayflower: Voyage, Community, War by Nathaniel Philbrick

“As Philbrick reveals in this electrifying history of the Pilgrims, the story of Plymouth Colony was a fifty-five year epic that began in peril and ended in war. New England erupted into a bloody conflict that nearly wiped out the English colonists and natives alike. These events shaped the existing communities and the country that would grow from them.”

For the best books in WWII History see our list here .

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50 Must-Read Books about American Politics

Sarah S. Davis

Sarah S. Davis holds a BA in English from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master's of Library Science from Clarion University, and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Sarah has also written for Electric Literature, Kirkus Reviews, Audible, Psych Central, and more. Sarah is the founder of Broke By Books blog and runs a tarot reading business, Divination Vibration . Twitter: @missbookgoddess Instagram: @Sarahbookgoddess

View All posts by Sarah S. Davis

I wasn’t always a politics junkie, but over the last fifteen years, I’ve definitely become totally addicted to following politics and current affairs. During that time, and especially during the last ten years, sweeping changes have affected America. In an era where the news cycle is measured in hours, not days or weeks, it can be challenging to keep up to date on the underlying issues that have shaped American political history past and present. This epic list of 50 must-read books about American politics explores topics from a broad range of voices and perspectives, from feminism to fascism, parties to polling, and tribalism to globalism. These 50 best books should help you get up to speed with American politics.

The ALL NEW Don’t Think of an Elephant!: Know Your Values and Frame the Debate  by George Lakoff

“The ALL NEW   Don’t Think of an Elephant!  picks up where the original book left off—delving deeper into how framing works, how framing has evolved in the past decade, how to speak to people who harbor elements of both progressive and conservative worldviews, how to counter propaganda and slogans, and more.” (Amazon)

American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America  by Colin Woodard

“An endlessly fascinating look at American regionalism and the eleven nations that continue to shape North America. According to award-winning journalist and historian Colin Woodard, North America is made up of eleven distinct nations each with its own unique historical roots. In American Nations , he takes readers on a journey through the history of our fractured continent offering a revolutionary and revelatory take on American identity and how the conflicts between them have shaped our past and continue to mold our future.” (Amazon)

Bad Feminist: Essays   by Roxane Gay

“In these funny and insightful essays, Roxane Gay takes us through the journey of her evolution as a woman ( Sweet Valley High ) of color ( The Help ) while also taking readers on a ride through culture of the last few years ( Girls, Django in Chains ) and commenting on the state of feminism today (abortion, Chris Brown). The portrait that emerges is not only one of an incredibly insightful woman continually growing to understand herself and our society, but also one of our culture.” (Amazon)

Because of Sex: One Law, Ten Cases, and Fifty Years That Changed American Women’s Lives at Work  by Gillian Thomas

“Gillian Thomas’s  Because of Sex  tells the story of how one law, our highest court, and a few tenacious women changed the American workplace forever. Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act revolutionized the lives of America’s working women, making it illegal to discriminate ‘because of sex.’ But that simple phrase didn’t mean much until ordinary women began using the law to get justice on the job—and some took their fights all the way to the Supreme Court. These unsung heroines’ victories, and those of the other women profiled in  Because of Sex , dismantled a Mad Men world where women could only hope to play supporting roles, where sexual harassment was ‘just the way things are,’ and where pregnancy meant getting a pink slip.” (Amazon)

Citizen: An American Lyric  by Claudia Rankine

“Claudia Rankine’s bold new book recounts mounting racial aggressions in ongoing encounters in twenty-first-century daily life and in the media…The accumulative stresses come to bear on a person’s ability to speak, perform, and stay alive. Our addressability is tied to the state of our belonging, Rankine argues, as are our assumptions and expectations of citizenship. In essay, image, and poetry,  Citizen  is a powerful testament to the individual and collective effects of racism in our contemporary, often named ‘post-race’ society.” (Amazon)

A Colony in a Nation  by Chris Hayes

“In  A Colony in a Nation ,  New York Times  best-selling author and Emmy Award–winning news anchor Chris Hayes upends the national conversation on policing and democracy. Drawing on wide-ranging historical, social, and political analysis, as well as deeply personal experiences with law enforcement, Hayes contends that our country has fractured in two: the Colony and the Nation. In the Nation, the law is venerated. In the Colony, fear and order undermine civil rights. With great empathy, Hayes seeks to understand this systemic divide, examining its ties to racial inequality, the omnipresent threat of guns, and the dangerous and unfortunate results of choices made by fear.” (Amazon)

The Best and the Brightest   by David Halberstam

“ The Best and the Brightest  is David Halberstam’s masterpiece, the defining history of the making of the Vietnam tragedy. Using portraits of America’s flawed policy makers and accounts of the forces that drove them,  The Best and the Brightest  reckons magnificently with the most important abiding question of our country’s recent history: Why did America become mired in Vietnam and why did it lose? As the definitive single-volume answer to that question, this enthralling book has never been superseded. It’s an American classic.” (Goodreads)

Dark Money: the Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right   by Jane Mayer

“In a riveting and indelible feat of reporting, Jane Mayer illuminates the history of an elite cadre of plutocrats—headed by the Kochs, the Scaifes, the Olins, and the Bradleys—who have bankrolled a systematic plan to fundamentally alter the American political system. Mayer traces a byzantine trail of billions of dollars spent by the network, revealing a staggering conglomeration of think tanks, academic institutions, media groups, courthouses, and government allies that have fallen under their sphere of influence. Drawing from hundreds of exclusive interviews, as well as extensive scrutiny of public records, private papers, and court proceedings, Mayer provides vivid portraits of the secretive figures behind the new American oligarchy and a searing look at the carefully concealed agendas steering the nation.” (Amazon)

Dear Madam President: An Open Letter to the Women Who Will Run the World   by Jennifer Palmieri

“Framed as an empowering letter from former Hillary Clinton Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri to the first woman president, and by extension, to all women working to succeed in any field,  Dear Madam President  is filled with forward-thinking, practical advice for all women who are determined to seize control of their lives-from boardroom to living room.” (Amazon)

Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right’s Stealth Plan for America   by Nancy MacLean

“Behind today’s headlines of billionaires taking over our government is a secretive political establishment with long, deep, and troubling roots. The capitalist radical right has been working not simply to change who rules, but to fundamentally alter  the  rules of democratic governance. But billionaires did not launch this movement; a white intellectual in the embattled Jim Crow South did.  Democracy in Chains  names its true architect—the Nobel Prize-winning political economist James McGill Buchanan—and dissects the operation he and his colleagues designed over six decades to alter every branch of government to disempower the majority.” (Amazon)

Democracy: Stories from the Long Road to Freedom   by Condoleezza Rice

“From the former secretary of state and bestselling author—a sweeping look at the global struggle for democracy and why America must continue to support the cause of human freedom.” (Amazon)

Democracy Remixed: Black Youth and the Future of American Politics   by Cathy J. Cohen

“In  Democracy Remixed , award-winning scholar Cathy J. Cohen offers an authoritative and empirically powerful analysis of the state of black youth in America today. Utilizing the results from the Black Youth Project, a groundbreaking nationwide survey, Cohen focuses on what young Black Americans actually experience and think—and underscores the political repercussions…Through their words, these young people provide a complex and balanced picture of the intersection of opportunity and discrimination in their lives.  Democracy Remixed  provides the insight we need to transform the future of young Black Americans and American democracy.” (Amazon)

Dreams from My Father   by Barack Obama

“In this lyrical, unsentimental, and compelling memoir, the son of a black African father and a white American mother searches for a workable meaning to his life as a black American. It begins in New York, where Barack Obama learns that his father—a figure he knows more as a myth than as a man—has been killed in a car accident. This sudden death inspires an emotional odyssey—first to a small town in Kansas, from which he retraces the migration of his mother’s family to Hawaii, and then to Kenya, where he meets the African side of his family, confronts the bitter truth of his father’s life, and at last reconciles his divided inheritance.”

Drift: The Unmooring of American Military Power   by Rachel Maddow

“Written with bracing wit and intelligence, Rachel Maddow’s  Drift  argues that we’ve drifted away from America’s original ideals and become a nation weirdly at peace with perpetual war. To understand how we’ve arrived at such a dangerous place, Maddow takes us from the Vietnam War to today’s war in Afghanistan, along the way exploring Reagan’s radical presidency, the disturbing rise of executive authority, the gradual outsourcing of our war-making capabilities to private companies, the plummeting percentage of American families whose children fight our constant wars for us, and even the changing fortunes of G.I. Joe. ” (Amazon)

Fascism: A Warning   by Madeleine Albright

“The twentieth century was defined by the clash between democracy and Fascism, a struggle that created uncertainty about the survival of human freedom and left millions dead. Given the horrors of that experience, one might expect the world to reject the spiritual successors to Hitler and Mussolini should they arise in our era. In  Fascism: A Warning , Madeleine Albright draws on her experiences as a child in war-torn Europe and her distinguished career as a diplomat to question that assumption.” (Amazon)

From the Corner of the Oval: A Memoir   by Beck Dorey-Stein

“In 2012, Beck Dorey-Stein is working five part-time jobs and just scraping by when a posting on Craigslist lands her, improbably, in the Oval Office as one of Barack Obama’s stenographers. The ultimate D.C. outsider, she joins the elite team who accompany the president wherever he goes, recorder and mic in hand. On whirlwind trips across time zones, Beck forges friendships with a dynamic group of fellow travelers—young men and women who, like her, leave their real lives behind to hop aboard Air Force One in service of the president.”

For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Politics   by Donna Brazile, Yolanda Caraway, Leah Daughtry, Minyon Moore, and Veronica Chambers

“The four most powerful African American women in politics share the story of their friendship and how it has changed politics in America. The lives of black women in American politics are remarkably absent from the shelves of bookstores and libraries.  For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Politics  is a sweeping view of American history from the vantage points of four women who have lived and worked behind the scenes in politics for over thirty years—Donna Brazile, Yolanda Caraway, Leah Daughtry, and Minyon Moore—a group of women who call themselves The Colored Girls.” (Amazon)

A Girl’s Guide to Joining the Resistance: A Feminist Handbook on Fighting for Good   by Emma Gray

“So—the presidential election of 2016 happened. You cried, you ranted, you marched. But how do you stay engaged for the long term? How do you keep fighting while also continuing your real life? How do you get involved when you feel far from the action? How do you stay vigilant without being furious all. the. time? Needing to take action after the election, Emma Gray, Executive Women’s Editor at  HuffPost , put on her journalist hat and set out to get answers to these questions from some of the most prominent thought leaders and activists of our time. She spoke with march organizers, and senators, long-time activists, and newcomers across political movements to find out the best ways to listen to those who have been doing this for a while, join in, and create sustainable action. In all of her conversations, one theme came up again and again: young women are essential to the resistance.” (Amazon)

The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency by Chris Whipple

“Through extensive, intimate interviews with eighteen   living chiefs (including Reince Priebus) and two former presidents, award-winning journalist and producer Chris Whipple pulls back the curtain on this unique fraternity. In doing so, he revises our understanding of presidential history, showing us how James Baker’s expert managing of the White House, the press, and Capitol Hill paved the way for the Reagan Revolution—and, conversely, how Watergate, the Iraq War, and even the bungled Obamacare rollout might   have been prevented by a more effective chief. Filled with shrewd analysis and never-before-reported details,  The Gatekeepers  offers an essential portrait of the toughest job in Washington.” (Amazon)

Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women’s America by Rebecca Traister

“With eloquence and fervor, Rebecca tracks the history of female anger as political fuel—from suffragettes marching on the White House to office workers vacating their buildings after Clarence Thomas was confirmed to the Supreme Court. Here Traister explores women’s anger at both men and other women; anger between ideological allies and foes; the varied ways anger is perceived based on its owner; as well as the history of caricaturing and delegitimizing female anger; and the way women’s collective fury has become transformative political fuel—as is most certainly occurring today. She deconstructs society’s (and the media’s) condemnation of female emotion (notably, rage) and the impact of their resulting repercussions.” (Amazon)

How to Be an American: A Field Guide to Citizenship   by Silvia Hidalgo

“The current political climate has left many of us wondering how our government actually operates. Sure, we learned about it in school, but if put to the test, how many of us can correctly explain the branches of government? The history of politics? The differences and connections between local government and federal government? Enter  How to Be an American.  While author and illustrator Silvia Hidalgo was studying for her citizenship test, she quickly found that the materials provided by the government were lacking. In order to more easily absorb the information, Hidalgo started her own illustrated reference to civics facts and American history essentials. She’s collected her findings in How to Be an American , a freshly designed and illustrated two-color guide to all things America.” (Amazon)

Identity: The Demand for Dignity and the Politics of Resentment   by Francis Fukuyama

“The  New York Times  bestselling author of  The Origins of Political Order  offers a provocative examination of modern identity politics: its origins, its effects, and what it means for domestic and international affairs of state.” (Amazon)

Nasty Women: Feminism, Resistance, and Revolution in Trump’s America , edited by Samhita Mukhopadhyay and Kate Harding

“When 53 percent of white women voted for Donald Trump and 94 percent of black women voted for Hillary Clinton, how can women unite in Trump’s America? Nasty Women includes inspiring essays from a diverse group of talented women writers who seek to provide a broad look at how we got here and what we need to do to move forward.” (Amazon)

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness   by Michelle Alexander

“Once in a great while a book comes along that changes the way we see the world and helps to fuel a nationwide social movement.  The New Jim Crow  is such a book. Praised by Harvard Law professor Lani Guinier as ‘brave and bold,’ this book directly challenges the notion that the election of Barack Obama signals a new era of colorblindness. With dazzling candor, legal scholar Michelle Alexander argues that ‘we have not ended racial caste in America; we have merely redesigned it.'” (Amazon)

The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court  by Jeffrey Toobin

“Acclaimed journalist Jeffrey Toobin takes us into the chambers of the most important—and secret—legal body in our country, the Supreme Court, revealing the complex dynamic among the nine people who decide the law of the land. An institution at a moment of transition, the Court now stands at a crucial point, with major changes in store on such issues as abortion, civil rights, and church-state relations. Based on exclusive interviews with the justices and with a keen sense of the Court’s history and the trajectory of its future, Jeffrey Toobin creates in  The Nine  a riveting story of one of the most important forces in American life today.” (Amazon)

Nixonland: The Rise of a President and the Fracturing of America   by Rick Perlstein

“Told with vivid urgency and sharp political insight,  Nixonland  recaptures America’s turbulent 1960s and early 1970s and reveals how Richard Nixon rose from the political grave to seize and hold the presidency of the United States. Perlstein’s epic account begins in the blood and fire of the 1965 Watts riots, nine months after Lyndon Johnson’s historic landslide victory over Barry Goldwater appeared to herald a permanent liberal consensus in the United States. Yet the next year, scores of liberals were tossed out of Congress, America was more divided than ever, and a disgraced politician was on his way to a shocking comeback: Richard Nixon. Between 1965 and 1972 America experienced no less than a second civil war. Out of its ashes, the political world we know now was born.” (Amazon)

On the Other Side of Freedom: The Case for Hope   by DeRay McKesson

“In August 2014, twenty-nine-year-old activist DeRay Mckesson stood with hundreds of others on the streets of Ferguson, Missouri, to push a message of justice and accountability. These protests, and others like them in cities across the country, resulted in the birth of the Black Lives Matter movement. Now, in his first book, Mckesson lays down the intellectual, pragmatic, and political framework for a new liberation movement. Continuing a conversation about activism, resistance, and justice that embraces our nation’s complex history, he dissects how deliberate oppression persists, how racial injustice strips our lives of promise, and how technology has added a new dimension to mass action and social change. He argues that our best efforts to combat injustice have been stunted by the belief that racism’s wounds are history, and suggests that intellectual purity has curtailed optimistic realism. The book offers a new framework and language for understanding the nature of oppression. With it, we can begin charting a course to dismantle the obvious and subtle structures that limit freedom.” (Amazon)

One Person, No Vote: How Voter Suppression Is Destroying Our Democracy   by Carol Anderson

“In her  New York Times  bestseller  White Rage , Carol Anderson laid bare an insidious history of policies that have systematically impeded black progress in America, from 1865 to our combustible present. With  One Person ,  No Vote , she chronicles a related history: the rollbacks to African American participation in the vote since the 2013 Supreme Court decision that eviscerated the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Known as the  Shelby  ruling, this decision effectively allowed districts with a demonstrated history of racial discrimination to change voting requirements without approval from the Department of Justice.” (Amazon)

On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century   by Timothy Snyder

“Timothy Snyder is one of the most celebrated historians of the Holocaust. In his books  Bloodlands  and  Black Earth , he has carefully dissected the events and values that enabled the rise of Hitler and Stalin and the execution of their catastrophic policies. With  Twenty Lessons , Snyder draws from the darkest hours of the twentieth century to provide hope for the twenty-first. As he writes, ‘Americans are no wiser than the Europeans who saw democracy yield to fascism, Nazism and communism. Our one advantage is that we might learn from their experience.’  Twenty Lessons  is a call to arms and a guide to resistance, with invaluable ideas for how we can preserve our freedoms in the uncertain years to come.” (Goodreads)

A People’s History of the United States   by Howard Zinn

“Known for its lively, clear prose as well as its scholarly research,  A People’s History   of the United States  is the only volume to tell America’s story from the point of view of—and in the words of—America’s women, factory workers, African-Americans, Native Americans, the working poor, and immigrant laborers. As historian Howard Zinn shows, many of our country’s greatest battles—the fights for a fair wage, an eight-hour workday, child-labor laws, health and safety standards, universal suffrage, women’s rights, racial equality—were carried out at the grassroots level, against bloody resistance.

“Covering Christopher Columbus’s arrival through President Clinton’s first term,  A People’s History of the United States  features insightful analysis of the most important events in our history.” (Amazon)

The People Are Going to Rise Like the Waters Upon Your Shore: A Story of American Rage  by Jared Yates Sexton

“The People Are Going to Rise Like the Waters Upon Your Shore  is a firsthand account of the events that shaped the 2016 Presidential Election and the cultural forces that powered Donald Trump into the White House. Featuring in-the-field reports as well as deep analysis, Sexton’s book is not just the story of the most unexpected and divisive election in modern political history. It is also a sobering chronicle of our democracy’s political polarization—a result of our self-constructed, technologically-assisted echo chambers.” (Goodreads)

The Red and the Blue: The 1990s and the Birth of Political Tribalism   by Steve Kornacki

“In  The Red and the Blue , cable news star and acclaimed journalist Steve Kornacki follows the twin paths of Bill Clinton and Newt Gingrich, two larger-than-life politicians who exploited the weakened structure of their respective parties to attain the highest offices. For Clinton, that meant contorting himself around the various factions of the Democratic party to win the presidency. Gingrich employed a scorched-earth strategy to upend the permanent Republican minority in the House, making him Speaker… With novelistic prose and a clear sense of history, Steve Kornacki masterfully weaves together the various elements of this rambunctious and hugely impactful era in American history, whose effects set the stage for our current political landscape.” (Amazon)

The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion   by Jonathan Haidt

“Drawing on his twenty five years of groundbreaking research on moral psychology, Haidt shows how moral judgments arise not from reason but from gut feelings. He shows why liberals, conservatives, and libertarians have such different intuitions about right and wrong, and he shows why each side is actually right about many of its central concerns. In this subtle yet accessible book, Haidt gives you the key to understanding the miracle of human cooperation, as well as the curse of our eternal divisions and conflicts.” (Amazon)

Shattered: Inside Hillary Clinton’s Doomed Campaign by Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes

“Through deep access to insiders from the top to the bottom of the campaign, political writers Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes have reconstructed the key decisions and unseized opportunities, the well-intentioned misfires and the hidden thorns that turned a winnable contest into a devastating loss. Drawing on the authors’ deep knowledge of Hillary from their previous book, the acclaimed biography  HRC ,  Shattered  offers an object lesson in how Hillary herself made victory an uphill battle, how her difficulty articulating a vision irreparably hobbled her impact with voters, and how the campaign failed to internalize the lessons of populist fury from the hard-fought primary against Bernie Sanders.” (Amazon)

So You Want to Talk about Race by Ijeoma Oluo

“In  So You Want to Talk About Race,  Editor at Large of The Establishment Ijeoma Oluo offers a contemporary, accessible take on the racial landscape in America, addressing head-on such issues as privilege, police brutality, intersectionality, micro-aggressions, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the ‘N’ word. Perfectly positioned to bridge the gap between people of color and white Americans struggling with race complexities, Oluo answers the questions readers don’t dare ask, and explains the concepts that continue to elude everyday Americans.” (Amazon)

Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right   by Arlie Russell Hochschild

“In  Strangers in Their Own Land , the renowned sociologist Arlie Russell Hochschild embarks on a thought-provoking journey from her liberal hometown of Berkeley, California, deep into Louisiana bayou country—a stronghold of the conservative right. As she gets to know people who strongly oppose many of the ideas she famously champions, Russell Hochschild nevertheless finds common ground and quickly warms to the people she meets—among them a Tea Party activist whose town has been swallowed by a sinkhole caused by a drilling accident—people whose concerns are actually ones that all Americans share: the desire for community, the embrace of family, and hopes for their children.” (Goodreads)

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln   by Doris Kearns Goodwin

“Acclaimed historian Doris Kearns Goodwin illuminates Abraham Lincoln’s political genius in this highly original work, as the one-term congressman and prairie lawyer rises from obscurity to prevail over three gifted rivals of national reputation to become president.” (Goodreads)

Under Fire: Reporting from the Front Lines of the Trump White House   by April Ryan

“Veteran White House reporter April Ryan thought she had seen everything in her two decades as a White House correspondent. And then came the Trump administration. In  Under Fire , Ryan takes us inside the confusion and chaos of the Trump White House to understand how she and other reporters adjusted to the new normal. She takes us inside the policy debates, the revolving door of personnel appointments, and what it is like when she, as a reporter asking difficult questions, finds herself in the spotlight, becoming part of the story.” (Amazon)

The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America   by George Packer

“American democracy is beset by a sense of crisis. Seismic shifts during a single generation have created a country of winners and losers, allowing unprecedented freedom while rending the social contract, driving the political system to the verge of breakdown, and setting citizens adrift to find new paths forward. In  The Unwinding , George Packer tells the story of the past three decades by journeying through the lives of several Americans, including a son of tobacco farmers who becomes an evangelist for a new economy in the rural South, a factory worker in the Rust Belt trying to survive the collapse of her city, a Washington insider oscillating between political idealism and the lure of organized money, and a Silicon Valley billionaire who arrives at a radical vision of the future.” (Amazon)

War on Peace: The End of Diplomacy and the Decline of American Influence   by Ronan Farrow

“Drawing on newly unearthed documents, and richly informed by rare interviews with warlords, whistle-blowers, and policymakers—including every living former secretary of state from Henry Kissinger to Hillary Clinton to Rex Tillerson— War on Peace  makes a powerful case for an endangered profession. Diplomacy, Farrow argues, has declined after decades of political cowardice, shortsightedness, and outright malice—but it may just offer America a way out of a world at war.” (Amazon)

We Should All Be Feminists   by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

“In this personal, eloquently-argued essay—adapted from the much-admired TEDx talk of the same name—Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie offers readers a unique definition of feminism for the twenty-first century, one rooted in inclusion and awareness. Drawing extensively on her own experiences and her deep understanding of the often masked realities of sexual politics, here is one remarkable author’s exploration of what it means to be a woman now—and an of-the-moment rallying cry for why we should all be feminists.” (Amazon)

We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy   by Ta-Nehisi Coates

“‘We were eight years in power’ was the lament of Reconstruction-era black politicians as the American experiment in multiracial democracy ended with the return of white supremacist rule in the South. In this sweeping collection of new and selected essays, Ta-Nehisi Coates explores the tragic echoes of that history in our own time: the unprecedented election of a black president followed by a vicious backlash that fueled the election of the man Coates argues is America’s ‘first white president.'”(Amazon)

What Happened by Hillary Rodham Clinton

“In this ‘candid and blackly funny’ ( The New York Times ) memoir, Hillary Rodham Clinton reveals what she was thinking and feeling during one of the most controversial and unpredictable presidential elections in history. She takes us inside the intense personal experience of becoming the first woman nominated for president by a major party in an election marked by rage, sexism, exhilarating highs and infuriating lows, stranger-than-fiction twists, Russian interference, and an opponent who broke all the rules.” (Amazon)

What It Takes: The Way to the White House   by Richard Ben Cramer

An American Iliad in the guise of contemporary political reportage, What It Takes penetrates the mystery at the heart of all presidential campaigns: How do presumably ordinary people acquire that mixture of ambition, stamina, and pure shamelessness that makes a true candidate? As he recounts the frenzied course of the 1988 presidential race—and scours the psyches of contenders from George Bush and Robert Dole to Michael Dukakis and Gary Hart—Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Richard Ben Cramer comes up with the answers, in a book that is vast, exhaustively researched, exhilarating, and sometimes appalling in its revelations.” (Amazon)

What You Should Know about Politics… But Don’t: A Nonpartisan Guide to the Issues That Matter by Jessamyn Conrad

“In a world of sound bites, deliberate misinformation, and a political scene colored by the blue versus red partisan divide, how does the average educated American find a reliable source that’s free of political spin?  What You Should Know About Politics…But Don’t  breaks it all down, issue by issue, explaining who stands for what, and why—whether it’s the economy, income inequality, Obamacare, foreign policy, education, immigration, or climate change. If you’re a Democrat, a Republican, or somewhere in between, it’s the perfect book to brush up on a single topic or read through to get a deeper understanding of the often mucky world of American politics.” (Amazon)

What’s the Matter with Kansas?: How Conservatives Won the Heart of America by Thomas Frank

“ What’s the Matter with Kansas?  unravels the great political mystery of our day: Why do so many Americans vote against their economic and social interests? With his acclaimed wit and acuity, Thomas Frank answers the riddle by examining his home state, Kansas—a place once famous for its radicalism that now ranks among the nation’s most eager participants in the culture wars.” (Amazon)

Who Thought This Was a Good Idea? And Other Questions You Should Have Answers to When You Work in the White House   by Alyssa Mastromonaco

“Alyssa Mastromonaco worked for Barack Obama for almost a decade, and long before his run for president. From the then-senator’s early days in Congress to his years in the Oval Office, she made Hope and Change happen through blood, sweat, tears, and lots of briefing binders… Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?  is an intimate portrait of a president, a book about how to get stuff done, and the story of how one woman challenged, again and again, what a ‘White House official’ is supposed to look like.” (Amazon)

The Woman’s Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote   by Elaine Weiss

“Nashville, August 1920. Thirty-five states have ratified the Nineteenth Amendment, twelve have rejected or refused to vote, and one last state is needed. It all comes down to Tennessee, the moment of truth for the suffragists, after a seven-decade crusade…Following a handful of remarkable women who led their respective forces into battle, along with appearances by Woodrow Wilson, Warren Harding, Frederick Douglass, and Eleanor Roosevelt, The Woman’s Hour is an inspiring story of activists winning their own freedom in one of the last campaigns forged in the shadow of the Civil War, and the beginning of the great twentieth-century battles for civil rights.” (Amazon)

A World in Disarray: American Foreign Policy and the Crisis of the Old Order   by Richard Haass

“An examination of a world increasingly defined by disorder and a United States unable to shape the world in its image, from the president of the Council on Foreign Relations… A World in Disarray  is a wise examination, one rich in history, of the current world, along with how we got here and what needs doing. Haass shows that the world cannot have stability or prosperity without the United States, but that the United States cannot be a force for global stability and prosperity without its politicians and citizens reaching a new understanding.” (Amazon)

Yes We (Still) Can: Politics in the Age of Obama, Twitter, and Trump by Dan Pfeiffer

“From Obama’s former communications director and current co-host of  Pod Save America  comes a colorful account of how politics, the media, and the Internet changed during the Obama presidency and how Democrats can fight back in the Trump era.” (Amazon)

Looking for more books about American politics and current events? Check out our Reading List for the 2018 Midterm Elections , guide to 4 Books to Get You Started on Contemporary International Politics , list of  5 Reasons to Read Outside Your Political Ideology , and  23 Resistance Poems to Express Your Rage .

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History Books » American History

The best books on american history, recommended by brent glass.

50 Great American Places: Essential Historic Sites Across the U.S. by Brent Glass

Which are the best books on American history? Brent Glass , Director Emeritus of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, the world’s largest museum devoted to telling the story of America, chooses five standout books in a crowded field.

Interview by Sophie Roell , Editor

The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge by David McCullough

Wilderness At Dawn: The Settling of the North American Continent by Ted Morgan

The Story of American Freedom by Eric Foner

This Republic of Suffering: Death and the American Civil War by Drew Gilpin Faust

In the Kingdom of Ice: The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the USS Jeannette by Hampton Sides

1 The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge by David McCullough

2 wilderness at dawn: the settling of the north american continent by ted morgan, 3 the story of american freedom by eric foner, 4 this republic of suffering: death and the american civil war by drew gilpin faust, 5 in the kingdom of ice: the grand and terrible polar voyage of the uss jeannette by hampton sides.

I know this will inevitably be your own, personal, take, but what is important in American history ?

I’ve talked and written about American history being shaped by five major themes, which influenced my selection of historic places for Fifty Great American Places . These are: the story of freedom, the influence of war, the impact of innovation and technology, the tradition of diverse cultural experiences, and the influence of the American landscape. These themes cut across every period of American history and the events that shaped it.

Do you think that looking at it thematically rather than chronologically makes it less overwhelming?

It’s not either/or, and it’s not overwhelming! My book makes American history accessible by integrating theme, chronology, and geography. Readers may start with the first chapter, on the National Mall in Washington, DC, a central place where these themes come together. The next forty-nine essays are in chronological order.

As a public historian, how easy is it to get people interested in history? How do you set about doing it?

I wrote the book to encourage historical literacy and by that I also mean historical curiosity. The way we are taught in school often discourages an interest in history because there is such an emphasis on memorisation of dates and names. It doesn’t stimulate curiosity. I wrote my book with the expectation that people will use it as a springboard to stimulate their curiosity about American history. I want to encourage people to go out and experience American history, to have a first-hand look at these unique places that reflect our history and our heritage. And I want to encourage people to preserve historic sites. We often take for granted that many of these places have always been here and will always be here. In fact, many people—including many notable women leaders—have had the vision to recognise the importance of preserving history. I especially appreciate the National Park Service, a federal agency that is celebrating its centennial this year and plays a major role in preserving great historic places in the country. Probably half of the sites in the book are managed by the National Park Service.

Here in England, whenever we learn history, it seems whether as an undergraduate, at school, or even at primary school, you always learn about the Tudors. You start to get a bit fed up of the Tudors after a while. Is American teaching like that as well? Do people get a bit fed up of learning about certain events and wish that they had a broader perspective?

It’s interesting. Not too long ago people were not too interested in the founders of America, and we’ve stopped called them ‘the Founding Fathers.’ But you’re probably aware of this new hit musical Hamilton which is about the first secretary of the Treasury. It’s an unlikely work to revive interest in American history but it has taken New York and the country by storm. It is an upbeat musical with period costumes, multicultural cast and stars, and hip-hop and rap music. It’s a fantastic way to generate new interest by a younger generation in the founding of the country and some of the issues that were being faced. Another period of American history that you think would have become worn out in terms of how much we can say is the Civil War in this country. It is the most talked about and the most written about. There are more films about the Civil War than any other war. But there seems to be no end of interest in that period. When you read a book like Drew Gilpin Faust’s This Republic of Suffering , I think you get an understanding of just how impactful the Civil War was on succeeding generations. The public memory of the Civil War continues to dominate America’s collective memory even today.

And also, I sense from your books, that the history being written now is more unvarnished?

Let’s talk about your first book, which is David McCullough’s The Great Bridge. I think this is relevant to your theme of technology?

David McCullough is a friend and mentor. His subjects range from the Johnstown Flood in Pennsylvania to the biographies of presidents to the Wright Brothers. The Great Bridge was, for me, a pivotal book in understanding how you could tell a story about a great engineering accomplishment in the context of the backdrop of urban history and the development of New York. He is such a masterful storyteller that he can engage you in what seemed to be an unlikely subject for a full-length nonfiction narrative and succeed in spectacular fashion.

Judging by the reviews on Amazon, people seem to think it’s an absolutely gripping book. When walking over the Brooklyn Bridge, it is amazing to think about that history. But why that particular bridge, that particular moment?

I was born in Brooklyn and grew up on Long Island so I have some personal connections with this particular site. But what suggested it to me was that this bridge is unique as an illustration of how nature and technology can be in harmony. When you see the Brooklyn Bridge, or you walk over the bridge, you feel as if it just belongs there. It has a sense of permanence, an enduring quality, a combination of beauty and functionality that has inspired artists and filmmakers and poets.

When you think that you can write a gripping book about a bridge, it also makes you think that interesting history could be written about all sorts of things if you just start digging around the subject.

Exactly. The way he used sources—remember that this book was published in the early 1970s so he did not have access to all the sources that we have now via the Internet—he was able to use photographs and drawings and illustrations from magazines as a way of augmenting his research. It’s a very powerful story. Even though you know what the ending is—you know the bridge was built and that it’s still there—he creates a dramatic sense of just what it took to bring this bridge into being and to complete it. He also is very skillful at developing the characters, the human element, of the Roebling family: John Roebling, his son Washington Roebling, and, finally, Emily, Washington Roebling’s wife, who played a crucial role in the final years of the construction of the bridge because Washington Roebling was disabled by caisson disease. He ended up watching most of the construction of the bridge from his apartment window. His wife Emily was the key communicator between Roebling and the engineers working on the site. That was an important role and David McCullough brings that out in the book.

And the father also died as a result of an injury from the bridge.

Looking down your list, death and dying do seem to be a unifying theme. Which book shall we talk about next?

My next selection is Wilderness at Dawn by Ted Morgan. This book shaped my understanding of human geography. It reminds readers that America was settled by several different cultures and countries. It’s a triumph of storytelling about the different frontiers of America. We were often taught American history as going from East to West and the British settlement as being the preeminent story. Ted Morgan’s book emphasises the fact there were multiple settlements and multiple beginnings of American history. He spends the early chapters talking about American Indians and their presence on the landscape before European settlement. That influenced me quite a bit and shaped how I selected my sites for my book. The first two places I talk about are the Cahokia Mounds along the Mississippi river near St Louis in Illinois and the other is Mesa Verde in Colorado. Ted Morgan writes about both those places. But the Spanish presence, the French presence, and the Dutch—as well as the English later on—all play a major role in the settlement of North America.

Who were the first Americans? Did they come over the Bering Strait from Russia?

That is still debated by archaeologists today. Some of the most recent theories are that the first Americans may have arrived in the Americas by boat rather than by coming over the Bering Strait. If you attend any archaeological conferences, you will witness some very heated debates among archaeologists, who will stand by their different theories of how the first Americans arrived and where they first settled. I choose not to get into that debate, but it has been demonstrated that the original settlements were probably 15-16,000 years ago instead of 7000-8000 as had originally been thought.

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Ted Morgan has a gift for telling stories within stories. When he’s talking about the Spanish settlement in New Mexico, he will take a diversion, talking about the revolt of the Pueblo Indians in 1680 — the only successful Native American revolt against colonial rule in history. He provides important details around that revolt that clearly influenced the chapter I wrote about The Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The reviews of this book also focus on the fact it’s told from the people’s viewpoint. One even calls it a ‘new approach to American history.’

Let’s move on to your next book. Shall we talk about The Story of American Freedom by Eric Foner ?

This is a seminal work of historical scholarship. I have met Eric Foner on several occasions and he’s a distinguished professor at Columbia University and has published many books, most of them on the 19th century and some of the key issues of the 19th century. But this book is a survey of American history on the theme of freedom, and how that word has changed in meaning, depending on what period of time we’re talking about. He writes about freedom from the point of view of the revolt against colonial rule in the 18th century, the notion of freedom and the advocacy of ending slavery in the United States, the expansion of freedom to include women in the political life of the country, the ideas about freedom as it relates to who was going to become an American and the freedom to enter this country—a great debate still occurring in the country—as well as the influence of the Cold War when there was the Free World versus the Communist bloc — and how freedom was understood during that period. Then there is the personal freedom movement of the 1960s and beyond, where especially in Western countries—and especially the United States—the idea of personal liberty and personal freedom became very widespread.

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He comments in the book that, ‘Freedom is the oldest of clichés and the most modern of aspirations.’ It’s almost as if we’re not talking about one word here: It seems to mean different things to different people at different times — some of which are likely to be contradictory.

You can see that in debates throughout American history. More recently, there is this notion that freedom has to do with the role of government in our lives. American history is punctuated by these debates about how intrusive we’ll allow the government to be in imposing constraints on our personal liberty. On the other hand, we expect the government to protect us from the encroachments of capitalism or the downturns of the economy. There’s an expectation that government has a role to play in ensuring our freedom as well as the limits of government. And that debate goes on today, especially during our election campaign.

Whereas here in England ‘freedom’ isn’t a term that comes up much in a political context. Nobody aspires to ‘freedom’ as a goal, though clearly we expect it as a reality.

Which book shall we talk about next?

The next selection gets back to the theme of death and dying. This Republic of Suffering by Drew Gilpin Faust was, to me, an extraordinary book because, as I said earlier, we have written so much and watched so many movies that we think we know all about the Civil War . But what the Civil War was about, when you break it down to its essential components, was mass killing on a scale that we had never ever dreamed of. I have seen one estimate that if we were to have the same number of people killed today, as a percentage of the American population, we would have lost six million people. The whole process of caring for the dead and burying the dead and documenting the dead was a totally new experience. There was no such thing as national cemeteries, for example, until the Civil War. Drew Gilpin Faust takes on this rather serious task of documenting and, through her research and writing, demonstrating just how impactful the Civil War was on the consciousness of Americans to deal with this rather grim reality of mass death and mass killing.

I read that there were six million pounds of human and animal carcasses at Gettysburg.

Yes. Gettysburg is one of the sites that I write about in my book. The national cemetery there is one of the first that was developed in the country. Gettysburg National Cemetery was where Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg address, so the task of reburying the Union dead at Gettysburg is directly connected to the speech that many believe is the greatest speech of American history. It gave new meaning to the Civil War. It wasn’t just about preserving the Union, now the civil war was going to be about giving us—to quote from the address—‘a new birth of freedom.’ This connects back to Eric Foner’s book. He has a whole chapter devoted to the Abolitionist movement, the Gettysburg address, and the new birth of freedom that resulted from the Civil War.

One reviewer also mentioned they liked this book for, ultimately, being not just about the Civil War but a meditation on the meaning of war in general.

We’re now on your fifth and final book choice which is In The Kingdom of Ice .

This book is a surprising mix of great scholarship and great storytelling. Hampton Sides is well known as a writer about nature and the outdoors. He was able to put together, through an amazing use of source material, this incredible story of the efforts to discover the North Pole. In many ways, this was similar, in the 1870s and 1880s, to the efforts in the 1960s of going to the moon. The North Pole was one of those unknown areas that was fascinating to the scientific community and also became a goal of national aspiration. Which country could be the first to reach the North Pole? The United States, which had just come out of the Civil War and was achieving recognition for its technology and its scientific progress, took on the challenge of assembling an expedition. It was financed privately by James Gordon Bennett, Jr., who was the publisher of the New York Herald. He joined with the US Navy to commission this voyage by the USS Jeannette in 1879 to find a route that would take them to the North Pole. It’s a story of exploration, of survival and death, and it has many amazing characters. It’s an amazing story but a tragic one: only 13 out of the 33 men who were on the voyage survived.

How does this fit into the overall theme of American history , would you say?

If you had to draw a line between all these books, it could be the notion of the frontier. Whether it’s the frontier of technology, in the case of Brooklyn Bridge, or the frontier of discovering the North Pole, or the frontier of freedom and the intellectual boundaries that are explored by Eric Foner. And then, perhaps, the final frontier—of death—which is reflected in Drew Gilpin Faust’s book. There’s the combination of the emotional and the intellectual in the realisation of the impact of death. There’s also the exploration of the human experience that these books represent. Perhaps exploration of new frontiers is the best way to describe the commonality of these books.

November 23, 2016

Five Books aims to keep its book recommendations and interviews up to date. If you are the interviewee and would like to update your choice of books (or even just what you say about them) please email us at [email protected]

Brent Glass

Brent Glass  is Director Emeritus of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, the world’s largest museum devoted to telling the story of America. His latest book is Fifty Great American Places.

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16 Books About the USA Every Traveler Should Read

These titles traverse the united states and uniquely capture a sense of place while exploring the country’s countless facets..

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New and classic books make this list of best reads from across the United States.

Courtesy of the publishers

It’s impossible to capture the vastness, beauty, and diversity of America’s landscape in a single book, so we’ve rounded up 16 titles, each rooted in a writer’s deep understanding of a distinct region of the country. They include a memoir in Iowa, a new novel in upstate New York, a mystery in Texas, and trips that take readers by rail, road, canoe, and foot. Here are our picks for some of the top books, old and new, to inform and inspire your travels around the United States.

1. “You Are Here” by Karin Lin-Greenberg (2023)

• Buy now : bookshop.org

A dying mall in a small town in upstate New York: What could be more mundane? There’s nothing mundane about this impressive debut novel, which examines a handful of disparate characters all somehow linked to the mall. Each is burdened with ongoing problems in contemporary life: economic woes, racism, violence. It’s a memorable slice of contemporary American life.

Design by Elizabeth See; images courtesy of publishers.

2. “The Johnstown Flood” by David McCullough (1968)

A work of nonfiction that reads like a novel, this classic was the first success by beloved history writer McCullough. It recounts the devastating 1889 flood that nearly wiped out the booming steel town of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, killing more than 2,000 people. McCullough highlights the role that steel barons—including Andrew Carnegie and Henry Clay Frick—played in the tragedy, while also touching on many other famous Americans of the Gilded Age. All the while, he roots his tale in the distinctive landscape of the ancient Allegheny Mountains, the site of the flood.

3. “The Colossus of New York: A City in 13 Parts” by Colson Whitehead (2003)

• Buy it : bookshop.org

Two-time Pulitzer Prize–winner Colson Whitehead gained early renown with this literary love letter to his hometown of New York City. His book of essays begins, “I’m here because I was born here and thus ruined for anywhere else, but I don’t know about you.” Fans and skeptics of the city alike will find material to support their viewpoint here; Colson Whitehead is as fond of, and as frustrated by, the terrible and wonderful city as any visitor, as his 13 essays make clear. For a more recent collection of stories about New York City, this time fiction, try Jamel Brinkley’s Witness (2023) .

4. “A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail” by Bill Bryson (1997)

Bryson is a traveler’s treasure, with many hilarious books about his native United States and adopted home of England. Here, he recounts what happens when he decided, in his 50s, to hike the Appalachian Trail. As he makes his way from Georgia to Maine, Bryson ably captures the beauty of the Appalachian Mountain range. He’s equally adept at conveying the nuisances of camping, representing the diverse ecology of the area (“the expansive relic of the richest, most diversified sweep of woodland ever to grace the temperate world”), and recounting the impressive history of the trail itself.

5. “Little Heathens” by Mildred Armstrong Kalish (2007)

The subtitle sums up the book (“Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm During the Great Depression”) but doesn’t capture the author’s beguiling mix of wry and wise observations. This is a memoir of a childhood filled with chores as well as such modest pleasures as picnics and gathering wild mushrooms and flowers.

Design by Elizabeth See; images courtesy of the publishers

6. “The House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros (1984)

Cisneros’s novel is a coming-of-age tale about Esperanza Cordero, a girl growing up in a Chicano and Puerto Rican neighborhood in Chicago . It snaps with her understanding of the city and its people, but especially of the main character’s poverty and hope. Early on, she tells readers about her small red house, where “out back is a small garage for the car we don’t own yet” and how she can’t wait to grow up and move away from home.

7. “The King of Confidence: A Tale of Utopian Dreamers, Frontier Schemers, True Believers, False Prophets, and the Murder of an American Monarch” by Miles Harvey (2021)

The subtitle alone of this nonfiction book should attract anyone interested in U.S. history. Harvey presents a fascinating account of James Strange, a con artist who declared himself “king” and established a community of followers, a sort of pirate colony, on an island in Lake Michigan in antebellum America. U.S. history is full of colorful characters of various flavors; here is one of the oddest.

8. “Bluebird, Bluebird” by Attica Locke (2017)

This first novel in the Highway 59 series takes places in East Texas and focuses on crime investigations by the Black Texas Ranger Darren Mathews. Locke is a native of Houston and writes with a vivid sense of place, whether a scene has an urban or rural setting. This book won the prestigious Edgar Award for Best Novel. Other good news: The second book in the series, Heaven, My Home (2019), is equally compelling.

9. “The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse” by Louise Erdrich (2001)

Erdrich, a member of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Band of Indians, is a National Book Award–winner and has been publishing fiction and poetry for nearly 50 years. Her 2001 novel, set on a small reservation in Montana, is one of her best. It’s narrated by an aging priest worrying over how his death will reveal his secret: He’s actually a woman. The tale slips through time, always resonant with Erdrich’s understanding of her setting, where “through a town that was to flourish and past a farm that would disappear, a river slid.”

Design by Elizabeth See; images courtesy of publishers

10. “Educated: A Memoir” by Tara Westover (2018)

The PEN-nominated Educated deserves lavish praise for the lyrical way Westover explains what it was like being raised by a family of fundamentalist survivalists. But Westover also captures the stark beauty of growing up in the mountains of Utah, with their ability to conceal all kinds of danger, convincing readers by the end that leaving the area was nearly as difficult as leaving her family.

11. “The Lincoln Highway” by Amor Towles (2021)

Road-trip novels often head west, but this one covers half the country, heading east from rural Nebraska to New York City in June 1954. The highway of the title was one of the first transcontinental roads in the USA. This picaresque story focuses on a quartet of characters travels to its eastern terminus, Times Square. In this coming-of-age story—two boys are brothers and three know each other from reform school—they only get as far as Omaha before plans go awry. The brothers end up riding the rails to NYC, the first of many mishaps during 10 days of adventures to reclaim their stolen car.

12. “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker (1982)

Walker’s classic novel won the Pulitzer Prize and has been adapted into an Oscar-winning movie and a Tony-winning musical—with a new musical adaptation on the way. The adaptations are worth viewing, but the book is immensely readable, focusing on Celie, an African American girl growing up in rural Georgia. Celie’s hardscrabble upbringing is the subject, while the landscape around her provides the epic scope of the book. Many readers feel that they’ve taken a trip to the early 20th-century South by the time they’re done.

13. “Sing, Unburied, Sing” by Jesmyn Ward (2017)

“I like to think I know what death is. I like to think that it’s something I could look at straight,” is the opening of Ward’s lyrical, compelling novel, winner of the National Book Award. The story of a modern family (and a pair of ghosts) traveling from their home on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast to the state penitentiary, the novel captures the lushness and unease of that part of the country. Violence and death ensue, but Ward’s depiction of familial love is what really haunts readers. It’s hard to think of a modern novel more of its place than this one. Her highly praised newest novel, Let Us Descend (2023), goes back in time in its exploration of slavery on a journey from the Carolinas to Louisiana .

14. “Riverman: An American Odyssey” by Ben McGrath (2022)

This is a biography of an unheralded explorer, Dick Conant, who spent years traveling U.S. rivers by canoe, driven by wanderlust. His trips included canoeing solo down the Mississippi and paddling from the Yellowstone River to the Missouri. While on a journey from New York to Florida, his empty canoe turned up in North Carolina in 2014. What happened to the vagabond who disappeared is only a part of this story.

15. “Assassination Vacation” by Sarah Vowell (2005)

Vowell has written a series of wryly funny books about U.S. history, but her masterpiece is this account of her road trip to various sites associated with the assassinations of Presidents Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley, and Kennedy. Vowell travels from New York to Ohio to Texas to Washington, D.C., blending her observations about the countryside and its people with deeply researched facts about the murders. Somehow, Vowell manages to entertain while educating readers about disturbing history.

16. “The Collected Stories of Eudora Welty” by Eudora Welty (1980)

This hefty volume spans almost half a century of stories by an American master of the short story. The settings are generally the South, ranging from historical (“A Still Moment,” about John James Audubon) to modern. If you prefer novels, Welty also wrote many of them, including The Optimist’s Daughter , a Pulitzer Prize winner in 1973. Welty spent nearly all of her life in her hometown of Jackson, Mississippi. Her eye for detail and empathy for people is evident in her black-and-white photos of Depression-era Mississippi, which you can view in the collection Eudora Welty: Photographs.

For a more recent set of short stories, try All the Names They Used for God: Stories by Anjali Sachdeva (2018), set in various U.S. locales, including Missouri. Each story includes place so precisely that it almost becomes another character. A bonus for travel-loving readers: Two stories are about long road trips .

This article was originally published in 2019 and most recently updated on December 11, 2023 with current information. Note: the dates for each book refers to the year of its first publication.

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Books to Understand America

Pick up bestsellers and must-reads in politics, economics, and history that will help make sense of where we are today and how we got here..

A Knock at Midnight

By brittany k. barnett, hardcover $28.00, buy from other retailers:.

by Timothy Snyder

Paperback $12.00.

His Truth Is Marching On

By jon meacham, hardcover $30.00.

by Isabel Wilkerson

Hardcover $32.00.

Beaten Down, Worked Up

By steven greenhouse, paperback $17.00.

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18 Books That Help You Understand America's History

The story of America is full of accidents and improbabilities, grand ambitions and terrible tragedies, sudden changes and the slow march of time. In other words, the stuff of great literature. These essential books recount the history of the United States in its most pivotal moments, from the arrival of European explorers to the Vietnam War. Each U.S. history book is illuminating, entertaining, and, above all, an unforgettable read.

Best Books About Early America

By Charles C. Mann

This must-read blend of history and science contends that the common understanding of life in the Americas before the arrival of European explorers is almost completely wrong. From the Inca Empire in Peru to  Cahokia , the religious center of ancient Mississippian culture, Mann reveals that native societies were much larger, more sophisticated, and more impactful on the environment than we have been led to believe. Few revisionist histories are more eye-opening or entertaining.

The Island at the Center of the World

By russell shorto.

With wit and style, Shorto documents life in 17th-century New Netherland, and its capital, New Amsterdam, revealing the Dutch colony’s influence on the American character. From the political rivalry between the settlement’s autocratic director-general, Peter Stuyvesant, and republican lawyer Adriaen van der Donck, to lyrical descriptions of the flora and fauna of what is now New York City, Shorto unearths a lost world that is both familiar and fantastically strange.

Best Books About the American Revolution

Washington's Crossing

By david hackett fischer.

Memorialized in  Emanuel Leutze’s iconic—but historically inaccurate—painting , the December 1776 assault on Hessian troops stationed in Trenton, New Jersey was a crucial victory for George Washington and the Continental Army following a string of devastating defeats in New York. Fischer’s cinematic, meticulously researched account sets the record straight on a number of key facts—including the types of boats used to cross the Delaware River—and makes vividly clear just how close the Americans were to losing the war against the English before it had fully begun.

Founding Brothers

By joseph j. ellis.

As Ellis makes clear, the decades that followed the American Revolution and the Constitutional Convention were anything but tranquil. Divisions between Federalists and Republicans, the threat of war with France, and the third-rail of slavery all threatened to doom the new nation in its infancy. In this illuminating episodic history, Ellis reveals that the success of the American experiment depended not just on the wisdom of its Founding Fathers, but on a great deal of luck and happenstance.

Best Books About the Civil War

A Stillness at Appomattox

By bruce catton.

Recounting the final year of the Civil War, Pulitzer Prize- and National Book Award-winner Catton brilliantly describes the epic clashes that turned the tide of the conflict in the North’s favor: the Wilderness, the Bloody Angle, the Crater, etc. Few historians have captured the soldier’s eye view of battle with greater eloquence or a finer appreciation for how each spur-of-the-moment decision fits into the bigger picture.

This Republic of Suffering

By drew gilpin faust.

Approximately 620,000 soldiers—or 2 percent of the total U.S. population—perished in the Civil War. Today, the same rate of death would equal 6.5 million. But mere numbers cannot fully convey the impact of such monumental suffering on the American psyche. Faust’s somber, elegiac study cuts through the gauzy sentimentalism that surrounds so many popular depictions of the war and serves as a powerful reminder that armed conflict comes with a terrible price.

Best Books About Slavery in America

By Scott Shane

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Scott Shane presents the extraordinary story of Thomas Smallwood, a writer, liberator, and fearless abolitionist in 19th-century America who coined the phrase “underground railroad” and helped hundreds of enslaved people find freedom in the North. Born into slavery in 1801, Smallwood bought his own freedom and established a shoemaking business before collaborating with fellow abolitionists to orchestrate mass escapes. Afterward, Smallwood would document his victories in biting newspaper columns, championing his successes while mocking slaveholders and the police officers who worked for them. Despite his astonishing achievements, Smallwood is rarely discussed in American history books. Shane rectifies this omission, chronicling, for the first time, Smallwood’s life and heroism while offering a thorough depiction of the domestic slave trade in pre-Civil War America.

The Half Has Never Been Told

By edward e. baptist.

Historian Edward E. Baptist presents a profound and damning account of slavery in the United States in this award-winning American history book. Spanning the American Revolution to the Civil War, with an afterword that extends into the early 1900s, Baptist’s searing narrative reveals slavery’s far-reaching impact on American capitalism and prosperity, demonstrating in impeccably researched detail how forced labor fueled America’s evolution into a global superpower. Enriched by a wealth of historical documents and intimate oral histories from formerly enslaved people, The Half Has Never Been Told is “essential for all readers interested in American history and the history of slavery” ( Library Journal ).

Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom

By david blight.

In this Pulitzer Prize-winning biography , David Blight draws on in-depth archival research and never-before-seen historical documents to produce an authoritative portrait of Frederick Douglass. Douglass stands as one of the most influential figures in American history: After escaping slavery in 1838, he rose to become a leading abolitionist, orator, author, and statesman in 19th-century America. Blight produces a powerful accounting of Douglass’s political and personal life here, delving into Douglass’s early years as an enslaved person, his escape from bondage and his political awakening, and demonstrating how Douglass’s unwavering commitment to freedom and the abolitionist movement helped alter the course of American history.

Best Books About the Wild West

Empire of the Summer Moon

By s.c. gwynne.

Comanche Indians once ruled the Great Plains, slowing the march of Manifest Destiny and dominating rival tribes with their superior fighting and riding skills. But by the late 1860s, railroads and the repeating rifle spelled doom for the Comanche. Gwynne’s eloquent, riveting portrait of the tribe and their last and greatest chief, Quanah Parker, captures the blood and fury of westward expansion and restores the Comanche to their rightful place in American history.

The Last Gunfight

By jeff guinn.

Few moments in the history of the Wild West are more celebrated than the 1881 showdown between Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and a gang of outlaw cowboys at the O.K. Corral in the small town of Tombstone, Arizona. But Guinn’s gritty and gripping account reveals that much of what we think we know about the iconic event—including where it happened—is wrong, and shows that on the dusty streets of the American West, the line between hero and villain was never as sharply drawn as it looks in retrospect.

Best Books About the Great Depression

By Studs Terkel

From well-known figures such as Pauline Kael, Cesar Chavez, and Dorothy Day, to the hobos who crisscrossed the country looking for work and the mothers who faced each day not knowing what their children would eat, Terkel elicits the painful memories of Americans whose lives were forever changed by the Great Depression. The humor, resilience, and courage of these survivors shines through on nearly every page of this essential oral history.

The Worst Hard Time

By timothy egan.

After the stock market crash of 1929, the devastating combination of drought, wind, and overworked farms that created the Dust Bowl couldn’t have come at a worse time. As the  New York Times  bestselling author Egan reveals in this fascinating and colorful history, the catastrophe could have been avoided with foresight and a greater respect for the natural environment. At a time when record heat waves and severe storms are occurring with greater frequency, it’s essential to remember how the country once survived a natural disaster of its own making.

Best Books About World War II

An Army at Dawn

By rick atkinson.

War correspondent Atkinson brings a novelist’s flair for storytelling to this Pulitzer Prize-winning account of the Allied invasion of North Africa.  Operation Torch  was a crucial testing ground for U.S. troops, who were undertaking their first significant action outside of the Pacific Theater, and a key milestone on the roadmap to liberate Europe. Atkinson’s insightful character sketches and enthralling action sequences turn the dry facts of history into an edge-of-your-seat thrill ride.

With the Old Breed

By e.b. sledge.

After dropping out of an officer training program to ensure that he wouldn’t miss the war, Sledge joined the U.S. Marines as an enlisted man. He immediately encountered some of the fiercest fighting of WWII at Peleliu and Okinawa, where he secretly recorded his impressions in a pocket-sized New Testament. More than 30 years later, he turned those notes into this terrifying, exhilarating, and deeply moving account of the war in the Pacific.

Best Books About the Civil Rights Movement

You Have to be Prepared to Die Before You Can Begin to Live

By paul kix.

Fully told for the first time, the riveting story of the 1963 Birmingham campaign tells about the 10 weeks that shaped the course of the Civil Rights movement. Journalist and author Paul Kix takes readers behind the scenes of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference's pivotal campaign to end segregation in Birmingham, Alabama—then considered the most racist city in America—with page-turning prose that reads like a novel. Kix provides nuanced glimpses into the minds of the four extraordinary men who led the campaign—Martin Luther King, Jr., Wyatt Walker, Fred Shuttlesworth, and James Bevel—which helps readers understand the impact that strategic activism can have in our own time.

Parting the Waters

By taylor branch.

From Martin Luther King, Jr.’s organization of the Montgomery Bus Boycott to his involvement in the pivotal Birmingham campaign, Branch expertly chronicles a time of radical change in America. In addition to capturing the qualities that made King such an inspirational leader, Branch offers essential portraits of fellow activists such as John Lewis, Wyatt Tee Walker, Ella Baker, and Stanley Levison.

Voices of Freedom

By henry hampton and steve fayer.

A companion to the PBS series  “Eyes on the Prize,”  this stunning oral history recounts the defining moments of the Civil Rights movement from the perspectives of the students, ministers, lawyers, Freedom Riders, and journalists who were there. From the lynching of Emmett Till to the rise of the Black Panther Party to the battle to desegregate Boston’s public schools, icons such as Rosa Parks, Jesse Jackson, and Huey Newton join a chorus of ordinary citizens to share their pride, fear, courage, joy, and pain.

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24 Books That Will Help You Understand America

Books and Culture Writer, HuffPost

At a troubled moment in American history, the necessity of listening to each other’s stories has become strikingly clear. Whether city-dwellers or rural populations, coastal or heartland; no matter the race, gender identity, creed or sexual orientation; the experiences of each American matter.

Staying in touch with disparate parts of such a large nation can be daunting, and in recent months many of us have been considering how to puncture our bubbles. For news organizations, that means committing to covering regional and local news stories around the country. For politicians, it might mean listening tours. For those Americans who aren’t about to take off for a meandering road trip across the nation, diversifying our reading is one simple, yet valuable, way to expand our understanding of ourselves and each other.

Studies have suggested that reading literary fiction can increase empathy . Literary nonfiction may carry similar effects, by offering carefully observed portraits of human frailties and societal change, and it can certainly build a broader base of knowledge about the realities faced by Americans. To coincide with HuffPost’s Listen To America bus tour, we’re inviting you to join us on a reading tour as well: 24 stops in America’s heartland, 24 books ― both fiction and non-fiction ― that offer profound insight into those places and the nation as a whole.

Ready to read through our country? Here we go:

1. St. Louis, Missouri: The Corrections , Jonathan Franzen

Jonathan Franzen’s breakout novel makes a fitting beginning to this literary road trip through the Heartland. The author grew up in a suburb of St. Louis, and the book’s setting, a fictional Midwestern suburb called St. Jude, has been recognized as a veiled copy of his own hometown. Like Franzen, the three adult children of the Lambert family have dispersed to the East Coast in search of a more stimulating life than their parents had, but as the novel commences they are returning home for the holidays and taking stock of how their adventurous coastal lives have gone embarrassingly wrong. The Corrections doesn’t flatter St. Louis (er, St. Jude), but neither does it glamorize the lives of those who escape to bustling coastal metropolitan areas.

Buy it on Amazon , or at your local bookstore .

2. Little Rock, Arkansas: Warriors Don’t Cry , Melba Pattillo Beals

When Melba Pattillo was 16, she was chosen as one of nine black students who would integrate Central High School in Little Rock. When they began at Central, white students and parents met them with a flood of hatred and abuse. The Arkansas governor, Orval Faubus, sent the National Guard to prevent them from even entering the school. President Dwight Eisenhower eventually ordered federal troops to ensure the Little Rock Nine would be admitted to the school. This is one of the most iconic moments in American civil rights history, but it was more than a moment. The nine students suffered physical attacks ― Pattillo had acid flung into her eyes in one horrific incident ― and intimidation from other students long after the integration had been enacted. Pattillo, who later became a reporter, reflected on those years in this searing memoir.

3. Oxford, Mississippi: Light in August , William Faulkner

One of Oxford’s most venerable sons, William Faulkner wrote novels that were deeply of his home region. He was fascinated by the South’s ongoing legacy of slavery and anti-black racism, and several of his brilliant novels grappled with the immense psychological and physical suffering caused by slavery and the racist structures that replaced it. He also examines the slipperiness of those racial divides in a society where many white slaveowners raped women they held in bondage and parented children of mixed-race heritage. Light in August dissects these dynamics through the character of Joe Christmas, an orphan who believes he has some African American blood, though he appears white. The novel examines the trauma born from this deeply ingrained hatred, and reveals how the judicial and law enforcement systems can be deployed to protect white supremacy. Given the ascendance of Black Lives Matter, it’s clear that the latter problem is not just a historical one, but a present-day reality.

4. Memphis, Tennessee: A Summons to Memphis , Peter Taylor

The peculiar customs and social order of the white South ― particularly Nashville, where the Carver family once lived, and Memphis, where they moved following the patriarch’s betrayal by a business partner ― take center stage in Peter Taylor’s Pulitzer-winning novel. The Carver children, resentful of the abrupt change in their social situation, grow into middle age in a state of arrested development, unmarried and perpetually grasping back toward their youth. When their aging father decides to remarry, they come together to attempt to block the marriage and maintain their remaining inheritance. In a New York Times review at the time, Marilynne Robinson praised the novel for refusing to imbue the fading social order of the antebellum South with an unwarranted varnish of humanity and dignity, writing of his “ perfect indifference to the blandishments of this tradition.” Instead, the novel examines the surprising durability of a social system rooted in selfishness, violence, greed and pseudo-aristocratic tradition.

5. Birmingham, Alabama: Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe , Fannie Flagg

Set in a hamlet outside Birmingham, Fried Green Tomatoes is a sweet and salty intergenerational portrait of small town Southern life in the 20th century. That doesn’t mean Flagg played it safe: She takes on anti-black racism, a lesbian love story between the two women who run the Whistle Stop Cafe, and domestic violence. The novel also explores the devastation inflicted on areas that are bypassed by economic progress; when the rail yard in Whistle Stop closes, the community withers. It’s a dilemma that many towns in America are still confronting today, as the industries they relied upon move elsewhere or dry up, leaving once-vibrant communities impoverished.

6. Fort Benning, Georgia: Fort Benning Blues , Mark Busby

A base that houses over 100,000 military personnel, civilians and family, Fort Benning has a well-established place in American military history. Tens of thousands of service members and recruits pass through training there each year. But with a growing divide between the minority who volunteer for armed service and the rest of the nation’s citizenry, it’s an environment unfamiliar to many Americans. Mark Busby’s novel plunges readers not only into the day-to-day of basic training at Fort Benning, but back into a time when only the most privileged young men were safe from military service: the Vietnam War.

7. Asheville, North Carolina: A Land More Kind Than Home , Wiley Cash

Set in rural Appalachia near Asheville, A Land More Kind Than Home springs from Wiley Cash’s own experience growing up in a Southern Baptist church in North Carolina. The debut novel deals with a faith healing gone wrong in an evangelical church and the grim consequences for a community under the thrall of a charismatic, snake-charming minister. Cash looks closely at how the overpowering influence of Christian churches in America can allow charlatans to exploit vulnerable people and permit people to ignore or overlook real danger in their midst.

8. Charlottesville, Virginia: Race and Reunion: The Civil War in American Memory , David W. Blight

In the aftermath of the racist and violent demonstrations conducted by neo-Nazis, Ku Klux Klan and other far-right hate groups in Charlottesville, which were nominally organized in protest of the removal of a statue of Confederate general Robert E. Lee, a long-simmering conversation about the value of Confederate monuments has exploded. The Charlottesville city council voted earlier this year to remove the statue of Lee and to rename the park in which it stands. Significant scholarship suggests that the monuments ― mostly erected in the 1920s, at the height of the KKK and lynch mobs ― were part of a concerted effort to solidify the dominance of white Southerners over black Southerners. Blight’s book is one compelling examination of the post-Civil War myth-building that diminished the central importance of slavery in motivating the conflict, and that built up Confederate veterans and generals like Lee as nobly defeated men of good character. The long campaign to redeem the Confederate cause, and to separate it from the stigma of white supremacy, proves to have been itself in service of white supremacy.

9. Charleston, West Virginia: Strange as This Weather Has Been , Ann Pancake

Ann Pancake’s 2007 novel paints a picture of West Virginia’s coal mining communities, from the constant threat of economic collapse to the environmental ravages. The book follows a family of six, who live a precarious existence, working in the mines and building their lives amid a despoiled landscape. Far from using coal miners as a handy talisman in political debate, Pancake’s nuanced depiction of life amid the strip mines sheds light on the thorny dilemmas faced by people who work there, where economic need and personal well-being can prove impossible to reconcile.

10. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: American Rust , Philipp Meyer

Two young men from Buell, a fictional steel town in Pennsylvania, nurture great ambitions but struggle against the gravitational force of their own crumbling city. Philipp Meyer draws readers into the hopelessness of life in a dying Rust Belt town, where the industry that once sustained life has contracted and left people aimless and desperate. American Rust is a portrait of a grim reality that shapes how many Americans today, left behind by the globalizing economy, think about and see the world. It’s also worth remembering, however, that Pittsburgh has been a relatively rare success story. After the painful erosion of its steel industry left the city in decline, Pittsburgh poured resources into restructuring its economy around entrepreneurship, education, service work and other non-industrial fields ― offering an imperfect but hopeful vision of how Rust Belt communities could be reborn.

11. Akron, Ohio: The Bluest Eye , Toni Morrison

Any tour of the American Heartland would be incomplete without Toni Morrison. An Ohio native, she set several of her iconic novels, including Beloved , in her home state. Her first book, The Bluest Eye , depicts an underprivileged young black girl living in the white-dominated town of Lorain, who has become convinced that she’d be beautiful and lovable if, instead of dark skin and eyes, she had white skin and blue eyes. Morrison lays bare the psychic trauma suffered by black people in communities, and a society at large, where black skin and features are seen as lesser.

12. Detroit, Michigan: The Turner House , Angela Flournoy

After living in their Detroit home for generations, a family discovers, in the midst of a national economic crisis, that their mortgage is wildly underwater. Angela Flournoy’s novel grapples with Detroit’s long, troubled history, which has seen the city wracked by racial turmoil, devastated by the decline of the automotive industry and gutted by white flight and loss of resources; on a more granular level, it tells the story of an American family’s history of struggle, survival and hope against the odds. Flournoy paints a more generous, human picture of a city dogged by racist assumptions and an apocalyptic reputation.

13. Fort Wayne, Indiana: A Girl of the Limberlost , Gene Stratton-Porter

Cornfields, soy fields, alfalfa fields ― Indiana has long been seen as an agricultural plain. But to make it a lucrative farming state, much of the land had to be deforested, leaving behind devastated habitats. The Limberlost, a wetland in northern Indiana, was mostly destroyed by drainage, logging and oil production. Gene Stratton-Porter, an early 20th-century naturalist and novelist, captured the fading beauty of the swamp in books like A Girl of the Limberlost , a novel about a smart, ambitious girl who lives in the dwindling wetland with her mother and pays for school by collecting local moth specimens to sell to naturalists. The book isn’t exactly an environmentalist tract, but it makes the case nonetheless: It celebrates the beauty and richness of the swampland, while showing how easily economic forces push landowners to strip it away.

14. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City , Matthew Desmond

One of the hardest-hit, and slowest to recover , large cities in America during the housing crisis: Milwaukee. In his highly regarded book Evicted , Harvard sociologist Matthew Desmond follows a handful of impoverished families battling to stay in their homes under precarious and soul-crushing circumstances, as well as two landlords trying to collect on rent. In the process, he reveals how broken low-income housing policy can make it difficult for people to escape the ravages of poverty.

15. Des Moines, Iowa: Home , Marilynne Robinson

Marilynne Robinson is rightly known as the bard of Iowa. Without romanticizing the state, she vividly depicts its ruthless beauty and its homespun values. In Home , one of a trio of linked novels including her acclaimed Gilead , she follows the grown children of an Iowan preacher who have returned home as he lays dying. One, a lonely but devoted daughter, has always hewn to duty; the other, a profligate son who once abandoned a local girl he impregnated, resists his father’s morality. Though it sounds like a simple pedagogical tale, Robinson offers a complicated view of small-town religious values, racial divides and cosmopolitan defection.

16. Kansas City, Missouri: Mrs. Bridge , Evan S. Connell

The 1950s, thanks to the economic boom following World War II, often stands in for a broader idea of America’s best days: The suburbs overflowed with traditional nuclear families made up of stay-at-home moms in circle skirts making the kids lemonade and dads going off to work carrying briefcases. Of course, that era was not golden for everyone ― after all, the Civil Rights movement was burgeoning at the same time, and for good reason ― and some observers, like Evan S. Connell, saw cracks in the idyllic facade even then. His classic 1959 novel Mrs. Bridge satirized the conventional suburban values espoused by its titular character, and gently pulls aside the veil of propriety to reveal her own closely-held dissatisfaction and aimlessness.

17. Lincoln, Nebraska: O Pioneers! , Willa Cather

A century after her heyday, the novelist from the Nebraska frontier remains unchallenged as the literary voice of the state. In her classic O Pioneers! , she celebrates the grit and determination of a family of Swedish-American immigrants who battle the elements and isolation to keep their family farm afloat. To modern eyes, Willa Cather’s tacit acceptance of the settler movement that displaced countless Native American tribes is troubling, but the tale serves as a potent reminder that the white families of the Heartland, so often cast as “real Americans,” were once immigrants themselves.

18. Casper, Wyoming: Close Range: Wyoming Stories , Annie Proulx

Annie Proulx’s work celebrates the stark, lonely beauty of Wyoming, but she also examines the ugliness that can hide amid the mountains. Her most famous story, “Brokeback Mountain,” is included in this collection. (Notably, another of the most acclaimed works of literature from Wyoming, “The Laramie Project” by Moisés Kaufman, also deals with anti-gay hatred.) Ranchers and cowboys scrabble for existence amid a barren landscape; deprivation breeds desperation, which breeds violence. In this brutal world, she sees little space for compassion or open-mindedness.

19. Livingston, Montana: This House of Sky: Landscapes of a Western Mind , Ivan Doig

Ivan Doig’s acclaimed memoir recounted his childhood and youth growing up in Western Montana. After his mother’s death when he was merely 6 years old, he’s raised by his father, who scrapes out a living at ever-changing ranch jobs, and his mother’s mother. Though, by the time the memoir ends, he’s left to study journalism at Northwestern and start his own career, Doig’s book is most lauded for how vividly he captured daily life in rural Montana, the grit and struggle of ranching, and the glories of the land where he was born and raised.

20. Provo, Utah: When the Emperor Was Divine , Julie Otsuka

During World War II, when Japanese Americans were rounded up and held in internment camps by the federal government, some of them ended up in the arid plains of Utah. In Julie Otsuka’s acclaimed novel, a Japanese-American family ― mother, father, son and daughter ― are sent from California to a detention center in Topaz, Utah. The book speaks in each family member’s voice to tell the story of their trip to and time in the camp and how they recovered from the experience after release. Otsuka’s book immerses readers in a shameful chapter of American history we’d often prefer to forget.

21. Tucson, Arizona: The Devil’s Highway: A True Story , Luis Alberto Urrea

As thunderous chants of “Build the wall” have proven, anxiety over Mexico’s proximity has the power to shift tides in American politics. But in the midst of rhetoric about drug mules and gang members, what is the real story of undocumented immigration from our southern neighbor? Often, it’s a story of desperation, immense suffering, constant fear and even death ― a horror show only exacerbated by punitive political efforts, Luis Alberto Urrea argues, to crack down on illegal immigration. In his acclaimed 2004 account The Devil’s Highway , he puts this story into human terms, telling the story of 26 men who tried to cross the desert into Arizona in 2001. The punishing journey left 14 of the men dead ― an all-too-common outcome of the dangerous border crossings risked by Mexican immigrants.

22. Albuquerque, New Mexico: Ceremony , Leslie Marmon Silko

It’s impossible to understand the fabric of America without listening to the Native Americans who lived here long before European explorers “discovered” the continent ― and who were then decimated by disease, forced assimilation and outright violence. In her masterful debut novel, Leslie Marmon Silko, a Laguna Pueblo writer, depicts the intersecting traumas of a World War II veteran, Tayo, who returns to his home on the Laguna Pueblo reservation to recuperate from a war that left him feeling exploited and mentally shattered. Tayo seeks comfort in alcohol, then in reconnecting with his heritage. Silko honors the power of her tribe’s culture, but also paints a grim picture of how Native people have been alternately used, abused and ignored by the white American power structure.

23. Odessa, Texas: Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream , H.G. Bissinger

Odessa was made famous by H.G. Bissinger’s colorful nonfiction work Friday Night Lights , which recounts the Permian High School football team’s quest for the 1988 Texas state championship, and by the hit movie and TV show based on it. He paints a picture not just of the team, but of the town that revolves around it: football-obsessed, oil-fueled and plagued by racial tensions. Friday Night Lights offers a glimpse into communities where high school football is more than a sport, but the glue holding everyone together.

24. New Orleans, Louisiana: Katrina: After the Flood , Gary Rivlin

Once upon a time, this tour might have ended more cheerfully, with John Kennedy Toole’s weird and wonderful novel A Confederacy of Dunces . (Do consider reading it .) But in talking about New Orleans today, it’s impossible to sidestep Hurricane Katrina, the horrifying consequences the storm and the mishandled aftermath, had for the city. Gary Rivlin’s sweeping book assesses the damage wreaked by the storm, the immediate reaction and the efforts to rebuild the city, and in the process he unsparingly confronts the racism that undergirded a slow-footed and even callous response by the U.S. government.

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19 Nonfiction Books That Will Expand Your Mind

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50 States Books: Best Books Set In Each State

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Are you looking for a 50 states books reading list? Take our America Reading Challenge and discover some of the best books set in every state.

Whenever we travel, we love to read books set in a destination to get a feel for a place and its people and culture.

Typically, we read books both before and after a trip to compare and enhance our experiences.

While we spend a lot of time traveling the globe, our goal in the upcoming years is to see more of the United States, both through novels and on road trips. That means reading at least 50 books set in all 50 States.

What are some of the best books set in each state? And, how do you even begin to choose from the great American classics?

We know that we couldn’t pick just one U.S. book per state either, and please keep in mind that “best” is subjective. We’d love to know your favorite books by state in the comments.

So, get ready to pull up your armchair and travel around America with these 50 states books.

Uncover critically acclaimed and iconic books set in every state, including thrillers, mysteries, rom-coms, LGBTQ+ novels, scary stories, foodie fiction, hiking books, and more.

Find indie 50 states books, books for teens, Pulitzer Prize-winning fiction, and nonfiction books about the United States too. And, we also update our America reading list every year with the hottest new releases.

Take our 50 States Reading Challenge, and get ready for a long one with this 50 states reading list. Let’s get started.

Don’t miss all of our reading lists across North America .

Table of Contents

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

What 50 states reading list would be complete without Pulitzer Prize-winning classic To Kill A Mockingbird? We highly recommend the audiobook.

Also deemed The Great American Read , follow along with Scout Finch as she navigates a highly politicized childhood.

Set in Maycomb, Alabama Scout’s father, Atticus, is a lawyer during the Great Depression — a racially-charged period in American history. 

Atticus defends a black man accused of raping a white woman. Through it all, Scout learns about overcoming prejudice, empathy, and that love prevails over hate.

Forrest Gump by Winston Groom

Whether you’ve read the book, watched the movie, hiked at Grandfather Mountain, or dined at Bubba Gump’s, Forrest Gump is a classic comedy and commentary on life, love, and friendship.

Forrest’s life changes when the University of Alabama drafts him for their football team. From the Vietnam War to ping-pong, fall in love with Forrest.

The Story Of My Life by Helen Keller

Born in Tuscumbia, Alabama, Helen Keller infamously suffers from a severe illness that leaves her both blind and deaf.

Originally published in 1903, The Story Of My Life follows along with the extraordinary journey of one of the most inspirational women of the 20th century.

Looking For Alaska by John Green

This 50 states reading list will also include some of our favorite YA books including Looking For Alaska by John Green. Winner of the Printz Award, Miles meets Alaska at boarding school.

Miles is craving excitement. Commence quite a bit of mischief, drinking, and romance. Looking For Alaska is also a PBS Great American Read selection and a bestselling YA novel.

Other 50 States Books Set In Alabama:

The Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson , Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee , and Z: A Novel Of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler

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The Tourist Attraction by Sarah Morgenthaler

A contemporary romance, The Tourist Attraction is a hotel novel that pits locals against tourists. Set in Alaska, Graham runs a hole-in-the-wall but now infamously famous dive restaurant called The Tourist Trap.

He breaks his own rules, though, as he begins to fall for a very cute and clumsy tourist. The Tourist Attraction is one of our favorite escapist novels and 50 states books.

Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer

We both love and get highly frustrated by the tale of Into The Wild. Chris McCandless is an infamous and deceased young hitchhiker.

Descended from a well-off family, McCandless decides to give up his possessions and money. Heading to Mount McKinley in Alaska, McCandless ditches his car and hikes on foot, meeting new friends along the way. 

An eccentric and somewhat naive soul, four months after starting his journey, McCandless is found dead after a fatal mistake. Read more nonfiction hiking books or books about road trips like Into The Wild .

Uncover Even More 50 States Books Set In Alaska:

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey , Two Old Women by Velma Wallis , and The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah .

Four-Finger Singer And His Late Wife, Kate by Arthur D. Hittner

In true TUL spirit, you will also find a few indie books set in the 50 States on this American Reading Challenge book list.

Arthur D. Hittner is one of our favorites, and Four-Finger Singer spans across Tucson, Arizona, and Boston, Massachusetts.

A mix of romance and sports fiction, Jake loses a finger, an accident that threatens his promising career. Now haunted by his ex-wife, watch Jake attempt to make a comeback.

The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver

In Kingsolver’s first novel, The Bean Trees, Taylor Greer wants to move away from rural Kentucky (and not get pregnant). While successful, she adopts a Native American girl, Turtle, on her journey west.

Landing in Tucson, Arizona, Taylor must build a good life for herself and Turtle.

Additional Arizona Books To Read:

The Host by Stephenie Meyer , Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli , and Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

A modern American classic, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings takes place in the 1930s and ’40s in the midst of the Great Depression and World War 2.

An autobiography, Maya Angelou is raised by her grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas.

This coming-of-age story showcases the story of a promising young woman overcoming racism, abuse, and poverty. This is one of the not-to-miss 50 States books on this reading list.

A fair warning, though, that I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings is one of the books that might make you cry .

A Painted House by John Grisham

Based on his own childhood that Grisham spent in rural Arkansas, Luke Chandler lives in the cotton fields in a house that has never been painted.

When migrant workers arrive, a murder leaves accusations flying. Luke quickly matures after witnessing the events.

Discover More 50 States Books Set In Arkansas:

Summer Of My German Soldier by Bette Greene and Shakespeare’s Christmas (Lily Bard Mysteries #3) by Charlaine Harris

Pretty Things by Janelle Brown

If you love psychological thrillers, this books around America reading list has just the contemporary novel for you: Pretty Things by Janelle Brown.

Lachlan and Nina are the typical Robin Hood story: they steal from the rich to give to the poor, including Nina’s sick mom. You don’t care for them, but you don’t hate them, either.

When Nina tries to con an Instagram influencer from her childhood, she learns that even con artists get scammed.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

The Bill Bryson of the United States, Cheryl Strayed’s world falls apart. At 22, her mother dies and her marriage falls apart.

Strayed decides to conquer the Pacific Crest Trail alone, and yes, a shoe is chucked over the cliff. Watch a woman searching for herself and hoping to embrace forgiveness.

If you are looking for 50 States books about redemption and growth, Wild is for you.

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

Four Asian women flee China in the 1940s. They meet up in San Fransisco, CA in a social group they call “The Joy Luck Club.”

When one of the women dies, her modern-day, American daughter takes her place. The Joy Luck Club is a beautiful story about mother-daughter relationships and female friendships.

Dial A For Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

A book featuring a hilarious and lovable Chinese-Indonesian family, this murder mystery meets rom-com is one of the most fun books set in California.

Meddy accidentally kills her blind date, sparking her family into a tizzy during one of the most high-profile weddings. Add in a re-emerging ex, and you have quite the party.

Can Meddy stay out of jail, save the wedding, and still find love?

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

California books don’t get any wilder than this. Head back to the 1960s and 1970s with an innovative interview-style narrative to learn about a band similar to Fleetwood Mac.

Daisy Jones & The Six captures the creation and ultimate demise of a young and up-and-coming 1960s band where everyone is self-centered, using recreational drugs, and acting creatively annoying.

If you are a Taylor Jenkins Reid fan, don’t miss her other book set in Malibu, Malibu Rising .

Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly

For foodie fiction lovers — especially if you watch GBBO and Top Chef , head to Los Angeles, California is this LGBTQ+ 2022 romance novel.

Watch as recently divorced Dahlia Woodson and London, a nonbinary, pansexual contestant, fall in love during the sizzling competition.

A story about confidence, coming out, and loving yourself, you’ll champion the representation and love story.

Books To Spark Your California Dreamin’ :

The Year Of Magical Thinking By Joan Didion , The Girls by Emma Cline , and East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Find even more of the best books set in California on this reading list .

The Shining by Stephen King

If you are looking for seriously spooky 50 States books , The Shining will take you to the Colorado Rockies and home to the Overlook Hotel.

Jack Torrence is a recovering alcoholic and writer who moves into the hotel as a caretaker with his family. Jack’s son, Danny, possesses ‘special’ abilities unbeknownst to his parents along with the Chef. 

Weird and deadly occurrences start happening at the hotel.

Plainsong by Kent Haruf

A National Book Award finalist and another American classic, Plainsong is a novel set in Holt, Colorado about grief and abandonment.

Tom Guthrie is a high school teacher raising two teenage boys on his own since his depressed wife moved out.

Readers not only learn about their hardships but also follow their mother’s attempt to reconcile her past along with two elderly brothers that know nothing except the land that they work on each day.

A Few More 50 States Books Set In Colorado:

On the Road by Jack Kerouac and Cry Father by Benjamin Whitmer

Connecticut

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

A powerful book set in the United States that is sure to make you think , Small Great Things takes place in my childhood state, Connecticut.

Ruth Jefferson is a black nurse facing white supremacist patients. When their baby goes into sudden cardiac arrest, Ruth–who was taken off of their case the previous day–must make a decision whether or not to intervene.

Her hesitation lands her in a trial about race, which everyone tries to deny.

The Baby-Sitters Club by Ann M. Martin

Growing up in Connecticut, you can bet that I read Ann Martin’s The Babysitter’s Club. Did you know that like your The Uncorked Librarian, Martin was also a Smithie?

Kristy Thomas and her best friends decide to start a little babysitting business in Stoneybrook, CT.

They each have club roles, and readers watch as they solve mysteries, stay out of trouble, and essentially grow up in the sweetest way. This is one of my favorite 50 States books for kids.

The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin

I am not going to lie: My husband and I always feel like Reese Witherspoon is cast in Stepford Wife-like roles, especially for her parts in Little Fires Everywhere and The Husband’s Secrets .

I also couldn’t have a 50 State reading list without The Stepford Wives. Books set in Connecticut always seem to land in the suburbs: Joanna and Walter move to the seemingly perfect town of Stepford, Connecticut.

Nothing is as straight-edged as it appears, though, and the creepy beautiful town is hiding a horrific secret.

Check Out These Connecticut Based Novels, Too:

The Witch Of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare , Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt , and Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates

The Book Of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez

The Riveras move to America from Mexico in the hopes of helping their daughter, Maribel, recover. They want a shot at a better life with more opportunities for her.

This is the American Dream, after all. Through stories of hardship, migration, and romance, learn what it truly means to be American.

Read more great books about Mexico .

Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk

Most likely set in Delaware and with the film shot in Wilmington, Flight Club is a well-known American novel about an underground fighting group where men take out their aggression in the boxing ring.

A dark satire, watch as this flight club transforms into a more fanatical ‘cult.’

Looking For Books Set In Every State? Here Are A Few More 50 States Books Set In Delaware:

Sunburn by Laura Lippmann and Cure For The Common Breakup by Beth Kendrick

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

From Eatonville to Miami and the Everglades, if you are looking for one of the best southern and American classic novels of all time , you cannot miss  Their Eyes Were Watching God  by Zora Neale Hurston.

Janie Crawford is a strong woman who wants to choose who she loves.  Stuck in abusive relationships and terrible marriages, Janie constantly finds herself trapped in the town gossip.

Watch Janie fight until the end against men, prejudices, and the circumstances of her time.

Swamplandia! by Karen Russell

Swamplandia! is a Pulitzer Prize Finalist set in the Florida Everglades. A Southern Gothic novel, meet the Bigtree family.

They have transformed their backyard into a gator-wrestling tourist attraction. As Ava’s mother has cancer, the family starts to fall apart.

Paper Towns by John Green

Paper Towns  is the perfect 50 States book that offers commentary on gated communities and standing out in a sea of sameness. Margo Roth Spiegelman fascinates socially awkward Quentin.

When she grabs Q in the middle of the night for a revenge-filled mission, he’s pretty much head over heels. Beautiful, mysterious, and with a pained soul, though, Margo suddenly disappears.

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

A 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction award-winner and based loosely on a true story about the Dozier School for Boys in Marianna, Florida, watch as Elwood Curtis, an ambitious and talented young Black man, battles growing up in a racist society filled with racist policies.

The Last Train To Key West by Chanel Cleeton

We just love 50 states books featuring strong women in historical fiction , and Mirta, Elizabeth, and Helen kick major butt.

Pregnant Helen must escape her abusive marriage. Mirta has a new mafia-tied husband through an arranged marriage, and Elizabeth wants to find her veteran war brother.

Their lives collide during Florida’s deadliest hurricane in the mid-1930s on Labor Day weekend.

50 States Books Set In Florida You May Also Like:

Bad Monkey by Carl Hiaasen , Florida Roadkill: A Novel by Tim Dorsey , A Land Remembered by Patrick Smith , and The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

An American Marriage by Tayri Jones

An Oprah Book Club selection set in Georgia, readers follow along with newlyweds Celestial and Roy.  Their honeymoon ends early when Roy is arrested and sent to jail for a crime he did not commit.

Celestial loses her husband for what she thinks will be over a decade. During this time, Celestial seeks comfort in Roy’s best friend just as his sentence is shortened. 

When circumstances are out of our hands, will the institution of marriage, love, and vows prevail? This is one of the most popular 50 States books of 2018, for good reason!

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

Winner of the National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize, our 50 States Reading Challenge couldn’t skip over  The Color Purple , one of the most famous books about the south.

Readers follow along with Celie’s impossibly hard life over the course of 40 years, focusing on the bigotry and prejudice of the time in rural Georgia and later Tennessee.

Forced into a loveless marriage, Celie finds love elsewhere while reconciling a relationship with her sister who she thought had died years ago.

Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt

A famous novel set in Savannah, Georgia, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil  is a popular true-crime murder mystery. Meet a vibrant and eccentric cast of characters with a southern flair.

Determine if the shots fired on May 2, 1981, was a murder or act of self-defense.

Dear Martin By Nic Stone

A 50 States book set in Atlanta, this YA novel about the Black Lives Matter movement and racism is a must-read for both adults and teens. 

Justyce writes letters to Dr. Martin Luther King; he is trying to navigate his life as a young Black man in a very white private school system.

Time and time again, Justyce witnesses firsthand racist police brutality and even murder.  How can he rise up in a system so determined to maintain white supremacy?

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling

For fluffy rom-coms and witchy books set in Georgia, The Ex Hex is magical and hilarious fun.

“Never mix vodka with witchcraft,” but that’s exactly what brokenhearted, teenage Vivi does when she learns that Rhys is betrothed to someone else.

A decade later, this angsty curse has returned to haunt them. Encounter chilling ghosts, a talking cat, and the coolest witch store in town. Will Rhys and Vivi end up back together?

Already Read These Books Set In Georgia? Try These Georgia-Based 50 States Books:

Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell , Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns , and The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

On The Horizon by Lois Lowry

We are so excited to add a newer Lois Lowry novel to this 50 States books reading list.

Published in April 2020, On The Horizon takes place in both Hawaii and Japan, portraying WW2 in two parts, the bombing at Pearl Harbor and the atomic bomb dropped in Hiroshima.

Find illustrations, poems, and prose that give voice and humanity to the many affected or killed on those fateful days.

Simmer Down by Sarah Smith

A multicultural rom-com set in Maui, this 50 states reading list recommendation is for foodies. Watch as Nikki and Callum compete in the Maui Food Truck Festival while falling in love.

You’ll feel the gorgeous island breeze as well as taste the delicious food.

The Descendants by Kaui Hart Hemmings

If you are looking for books set in Hawaii, try The Descendants, which is also a movie starring George Clooney.

Matthew King’s family is nothing short of a mess: kids out of control and into drugs and a mother in a fatal coma after a tragic accident.

As Matt gathers the family to say goodbye to his wife, Matt decides to find the man that his wife was having an affair with.

Moloka’i by Alan Brennert

A novel set in Honolulu based on true historical accounts, Moloka’i follows the story of Rachel Kalama, a girl diagnosed with leprosy at seven years old.

Sent to a leprosy colony on the island of Moloka’i, Rachel must create her own family and channel inner love, dignity, and strength.

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

If you enjoy books set on islands , The Unhoneymooners is the perfect rom-com set in Hawaii.

When a buffet food-poisons Olive’s twin sister, Ami, along with her entire wedding guest list, Ami begs Olive to take the honeymoon she won to Hawaii.

Unfortunately for Olive, the only other wedding guest that can go with her is the loathsome groom’s brother, Ethan. Of course, these enemies are destined to become lovers.

More 50 States Books Set In Hawaii:

Honolulu by Alan Brennert , Micro by Michael Crichton , and From Here To Eternity by James Joyce .

Grab our full Hawaii reading list .

Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson

When looking at books set in every state, I’m not going to lie: Idaho slightly baffled me. I’ve only read one or two books that I know of.

Set in Fingerbone, Idaho, Housekeeping follows the story of two orphans passed along to their grandmother, aunts, and finally a remote sister of their deceased mother. Homecoming was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.

More American Reading List Idaho Selections:

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech , Idaho by Emily Ruskovich , and All Over Creation by Ruth Ozeki

Becoming by Michelle Obama

One of the most inspiring books across the United States, I loved Michelle Obama’s Becoming. We all know the former First Lady–or do we really?

Follow Michelle Obama from her childhood growing up in the South Side of Chicago. Battling race, her own hardcore work ethic, and even fertility issues, discover a different side to one of America’s most well-spoken and sweetly impactful women.

And yes, you get to learn a little more about her budding romance with Barack Obama.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

If you are looking for dystopian YA books set in Chicago, Illinois, Veronica Roth’s Divergent series will provide you with a fast-paced thriller similar to The Hunger Games and Maze Runner series.

Society is divided into five factions, and everyone has a role to play. When Beatrice picks Dauntless, she sets the course for a wild rebellion.

A Girl Like You by Michelle Cox

If you are looking for a historical romance from an indie press, A Girl Like You has been described as a “Downton Abbey meets Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries” series.

Set in the 1930s in Chicago, Henrietta Von Harmon is left to care for her mother and siblings. When a murder occurs on the job, Henrietta goes undercover while falling for the handsome Inspector.

Don’t Miss These 50 States Books Set In Illinois:

The Jungle by Upton Sinclair , Native Son by Richard Wright , The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson , and The House On Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros (an iconic book from the ’80s )

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Maybe one of the most cliche 50 States books on this reading list that I still love, The Fault In Our Stars  is one of my favorite audiobook titles .

A YA book set in Indianapolis, Indiana, Hazel and Augustus meet at a cancer support group. They live with cancer and fall in love, attempting to rewrite their stories.   Have the tissues ready. 

Other 50 States Books Set In Indiana That We’ve Read:

All the bright places by jennifer niven and the stone diaries by carol shields iowa.

The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson

A memoir set in Des Moines in the 1950s and 1960s, The Life And Times of The Thunderbolt Kid  demonstrates a pivotal time in U.S. history through the eyes of a daydreaming, rambunctious kid.

A kid who dons a towel cape and imagines himself as a superhero.

Bill Bryson is one of our favorite and most hilarious travel writers , and his tales of growing up when smoking was considered ‘good for you’ will make you chuckle.

A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley

We have a quite a few Pulitzer Prize winners on this 50 States reading list, including A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley.

A 20th-century reimagining of one of my favorite Shakespeare plays, King Lear, a rich Iowa farmer divides his land between his three daughters. Like King Lear, find themes of love and pride.

A Few More 50 States Books Set In Iowa Suggestions For You:

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson , Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith , and The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

Another American classic as well as a true-crime story, Capote investigates the murder of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas.

In 1959, Hickock and Smith rob and murder all four members of the Clutters, leaving the police baffled. 

Eventually caught, Capote attempts to reconstruct what happened on that day while trying to understand the two murderers.

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

Gillian Flynn is a must for any 50 States Books reading list — whether you love or hate her dark novels.

Set in Kansas, Dark Places is about the “The Satan Sacrifice of Kinnakee, Kansas” that killed Libby Day’s mother and sisters. Libby testifies that her brother is the killer, but 25-years-later, a secret society wants to free him.

Kansas Isn’t All Doom & Gloom. Read These Cheerful 50 States Books Set In Kansas:

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum and Little House On The Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Beloved by Toni Morrison

A Pulitzer Prize Winner,  Beloved  is an American classic. Born into and eventually escaping slavery in Kentucky, Sethe finds freedom in Ohio.   Is she really free, though?  

Sethe can never fully escape her memories or past, including the death of a child.

Honor Girl by Maggie Thrash

Honor Girl  is a YA LGBT book set at an all-girls camp in Kentucky. A unique graphic memoir, Thrash recalls back to her summer at an all-girls came in Appalachia where she falls in love with one of the counselors.

Camp Bellflower isn’t about tolerance as a Christain camp. Both girls begin to develop feelings and find themselves navigating unchartered and ‘forbidden’ territory.

Other 50 States Books Set In Kentucky:

Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe and The Patron Saint of Liars by Ann Patchett

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

Set in the small fictional town of Bon Temps, Louisiana, Sookie Stackhouse is one of our favorite vampire series . Find a fantastical world-building plot filled with vampires, werewolves, and shapeshifters that is *very* adult.

Add in some romance, murder, and endless danger, and you’ll get sucked into Sookie’s little world, too.

A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams

Set in the French Quarter of New Orleans and a Pulitzer Prize winner, A Streetcar Named Desire is a famous American play.

Blanche is pushed into a complete mental breakdown by her cruel and abusive brother-in-law. She cannot believe her sister stays with him.

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

One of the best 50 States books of summer 2020 , The Vanishing Half is thought-provoking and an intensely poignant and authentic novel about race and racism. 

Follow along with two Black twin sisters who separate in their teens and go on to lead very different lives. 

While one sister moves back to her Black community in Louisiana with her daughter, the other passes as white, disavowing her heritage, family, and identity to become someone new and unrecognizable. 

Set in the 1950s to 1990s, readers see just how deeply these mothers’ choices and feelings affect their children.

This is also a great selection if you enjoy books about sisters and families .

A Few More 50 States Books Set In Louisiana For You:

Interview With The Vampire by Anne Rice , Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys , A Confederacy Of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole , and The Pelican Brief by John Grisham

Empire Falls by Richard Russo

One of my all-time favorites on this books across America reading list includes Richard Russo’s  Empire Falls. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, witness the working-class, blue-collar, and decaying town of Empire Falls, Maine.

Miles runs the local burger dive, is getting a divorce, and wants a normal life for his daughter. An American novel about wealth, love, and disappointment, watch as Mile’s family fights to earn a living in America.

Blood and Sand by Jennifer M. Lane

Are you looking for a boozy coming-of-age indie novel set in Maine? Check out Blood and Sand by Jennifer M Lane.

Logan Cole is a Yale graduate who has it all until her father is sent to jail for corruption. With a mother gallivanting off to Paris, Logan finds herself completely abandoned and broke. 

With less than $10,000 in her savings account, she hops a bus to a bar in Ramsbolt, Maine looking for a fresh start.

The Widow Of Pale Harbor by Hester Fox

Every 50 States book list should have a plethora of gothic romance, right ? Add in some Poe, a murder mystery, and a book set in Maine, and you have Hester Fox’s The Widow Of Pale Harbor .

Sophronia Carver lives at the eerie Castle Carver overlooking the cliffs of Pale Harbor. 

Widowed and a woman accused of murdering her wealthy husband, she sits trapped in self-imprisonment until a mysterious Trandescendalist minister rolls into town.

With a slew of gruesome murders, the towns, of course, blame her.

Reading Books Set In All 50 States? Here Are More Novels Set In Maine To Choose From:

Carrie by Stephen King and Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

Set partially in Bethesda, Maryland (and even in Greece), I love The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants . Don’t troll me for dropping this one into Maryland…

Imagine one pair of pants that is shared between 4 best friends in 4 different summer locations. Filled with stories of love, friendship, and a little heartbreak, these little pants speak to what binds us together as women and friends.

The Beautiful Struggle by Ta-Nehisi Coates

In this poignant memoir, Coates discusses what it is like growing up as a black man in America. His father was a Vietnam War veteran who helped guide them through their adolescence in Baltimore, Maryland.

Other 50 States Books Set In Maryland:

Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler , Dicey’s Song Cynthia Voigt , and A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler

Massachusetts

Conversion by Katherine Howe

Conversion is one of the YA books set around America that is also a modern-day Salem Witch Trials story. 

Set in Danvers, MA, the girls at St. Joan’s Academy are reading Arthur Miller’s The Crucible when strange things start happening.

Tics, seizures, and hair loss plague the school, causing rumors, accusations, and of course, mass panic.

Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs

At age 12, Augusten Burroughs finds himself being raised by his mother’s psychiatrist. He stops attending school and there are certainly no rules.

A true story, learn how Augusten survives his unusual circumstances. Running With Scissors is set in Northampton, MA where I went to college.

Writers & Lovers by Lily King 

One of my favorite new books set in Massachusetts includes Writers & Lovers by Lily King. Casey Peabody is a writer trying to overcome the loss of her mother and pay her bills.

With two possible love interests, how can Casey possibly choose the right man when she can barely love herself?

Writers & Lovers is a poignant and slow-paced novel about overcoming loss and the creative process. Find even more great books about books and the authors who write them.

Enjoying Our American Reading List? Here Are Even More 50 States Books Set In Massachusetts :

The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne , Walden by Henry David Thoreau , Little Women by Louisa May Alcott , and Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

Grab the complete list of books set in Massachusetts . And, don’t miss our Salem, MA reading list .

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

One of the books on this 50 States reading list that is sure to make you think more deeply is Eugenides’  Middlesex .

Set partially in Detroit, Michigan this Pulitzer Prize winner, uncovers a world of family secrets, gender fluidity, and how we battle social constructs.

There are also themes of migration from a tiny Greek village and assimilation to Detroit. Oprah featured  Middlesex  in her Book Club, and this stunning title has been deemed “The Great American Novel.”

Beach Read by Emily Henry

One of my favorite new books of 2020, Beach Read is set in ‘North Bear Shores,’ Michigan.

A romantic comedy, January Andrews and Augustus Everett are two authors of opposing genres trying to write their next great novel before funds dry up.

In a dare, they switch from their norm of rom-com (January) and American lit (Augustus) to see if the change gets their juices flowing. In order to do research for their books, they spend more and more time together, landing in one sexy love story of their own.

For a book set in Michigan, you will find yourself oddly craving a MI summer. Who knew?! Henry’s imagery is stunning.

Discover More 50 States Books Set In Michigan :

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides , Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison , and Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

Nickel And Dimed: On (Not) Getting By In America by Barbara Ehrenreich

Nickel and Dimed is a book that spans many of the 50 States, including Minnesota, Florida, and Maine. In 1998, Ehrenreich explores what it means to live off of low-income wages under the poverty level. 

Demonstrating the impossibility of surviving in lower working-class America–even when you hold three jobs–Ehrenreich exploits a system that still plagues America today.

Nickel and Dimed will change the way you think about the income gap and assumptions people make about the poor.

Looking For Even More Books Set Every State? Don’t Miss These Minnesota Novels:

Main Street by Sinclair Lewis and Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger

Mississippi

Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward

If you are looking for a newer novel set in the deep south that examines race, poverty, prison, and, drug abuse, try Mississippi novel, Sing, Unburied, Sing.

Winner of the National Book Award in 2017, watch as Jojo struggles to learn what it is like to become a man against all odds.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Although set in the fictional town of Garden Heights, many believe this setting is the Georgetown neighborhood of Jackson, Mississippi.

I couldn’t leave The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas off of my American Reading Challenge book list — it’s an essential U.S. novel that published at a pivotal time in our history. The Hate U Give  discusses the Black Lives Matter movement. As a young black woman, Starr is trapped between two worlds: her preppy white school and her home in Garden Heights, a poorer neighborhood. 

When her unarmed cousin is shot and killed by a white police officer, Starr has to make a decision:  Does she fight or remain silent?

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

A 50 State book set in Jackson, Mississippi, The Help follows three women who come together to advocate against the circumstances and discrimination of their time.

Even More Fabulous 50 States Books Set In Mississippi:

Salvage The Bones by Jesmyn Ward , Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor , Fevre Dream by George R.R. Martin , and The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

A  New York Times  bestseller,  Gone Girl  has been named one of the best novels of the decade. Set in a fictitious town in North Carthage, Missouri, Nick’s wife mysteriously disappears on their wedding anniversary.

In what appears to be a crime scene, there is much more than meets the eye. … Although there is a killer on the loose.

Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton

At first, Missouri stumped for a books set in all 50 States reading list. Then, I remembered Laurell K. Hamilton’s adult vampire series starring Anita Blake.

Guilty Pleasures is set in St. Louis, Missouri where Anita falls for a dangerous vampire, Jean-Claude.  As an animator, Anita can awaken the dead and destroy them.  Jean-Claude seeks Anita’s help to solve a murder mystery.

More 50 States Books Set In Missouri:

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain and Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles

Although also set in Paris, The Paris Library follows two stories: The librarians at The American Library in Paris during WW2 and Lily, a young girl growing up in Montana, in the mid-1980s.

Lily learns more about herself and her mysterious neighbor, Odile. Read more books about libraries across the world.

Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead

No 50 States Reading Challenge would be complete without a YA vampire book series ,  Vampire Academy. St. Vladimir’s Academy is more like a bitchy and grownup Hogwarts that trains teenage vampires. 

Half-human creatures guard and teach students and danger lurks in the shadows. Watch relationships bloom amidst the usual boarding school drama and life-threatening vamps.

Expand Your 50 States Reading List With These Books Set In Montana:

The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans , A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean , and Montana 1948 by Larry Watson

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Set in Omaha, Nebraska, Eleanor and Park is an American YA novel about family, dating, and growing up. Written in dual narratives, Eleanor and Park are misfit teenagers who don’t quite fit into their bodies, heritage, or high school.

Park loves Eleanor, but Eleanor has a lot on her plate. With messages about body image and bullying, readers enter a world of physical and mental abuse that is emotionally taxing but also offers glimmers of hope and inspiration.

My Ántonia by Willa Cather

My Ántonia by Willa Cather is an American classic about Nebraskan pioneers.

Set in the fictional town of Black Hawk, Nebraska, orphaned Jim Burden shares his memories of Bohemian immigrant, Antonia Shimerda, who lived on a farm with her large family.

My Ántonia is a story of a European settlement in the American midwest.

Other 50 States Books Set In Nebraska:

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell , One Of Ours by Willa Cather , and One False Move by Alex Kava

The Ox-Bow Incident by Walter Van Tilburg Clark

Set in Nevada in 1885, The Ox-Bow Incident is a U.S. Western novel that examines frontier life along with mob mentality and violence.

Three innocent men are lynched when the town decides to ignore all rules and take justice into their own hands. The repercussions and truths that then follow lead to more deaths.

Our 50 States Reading List Wouldn’t Be Complete Without These Books Set In Nevada:

Roughing It by Mark Twain , Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson , and Leaving Las Vegas by John O’Brien

New Hampshire

A Separate Peace by John Knowles

One of the classic WW2 books for young adults ,  A Separate Peace  isn’t my most favorite novel but one that we had to read as part of the school curriculum.

Gene and Finny are attending a New England prep school in New Hampshire. Their friendship is a mostly playful rivalry.

Unfortunately, one of their daredevil traditions leads to an accident that changes Finny’s life. As the young boys begin to enlist in World War 2, they witness more than they can understand, which takes a toll on their minds and friendships.

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

A Walk In The Woods  is a hilarious tale of Bill Bryson and his boozy friend, Katz, attempting to hike parts of the Appalachian Trail.

While only a part of the book takes place in New Hampshire, you’ll enjoy watching these two very out of shape men traipse across the American landscape.

Enjoying These Books Set In Each State? Here Are More New Hampshire Selections:

The Weight of Water by Anita Shreve and The Hotel New Hampshire by John Irving

One For The Money by Janet Evanovich

One of my favorite book series, you cannot skip over Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series for your 50 States reading challenge.

Set in New Jersey, Stephanie is a bounty hunter who is pretty terrible at her job. Thankfully she has two very different hunks helping her manage.

Add in her former prostitute sidekick, a saucy grandmother who loves funerals, and a hamster named Rex, and you have a hilarious and formulaic junk food series about love, friends, and catching the bad guys.

Dear Edward By Ann Napolitano

Nothing beats a heartrending but also inspiring survival story set in New Jersey.

Edward is the sole survivor of a plane crash bound for LA. His brother and parents along with all of the other 191 passengers and crew perish in the crash.

Can Edward go on without his family and still find hope, especially when he is placed in the equally dysfunctional home of his aunt and uncle?

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume

Set in New Jersey, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret is a United States ‘banned book’ that I read for my MLIS. I dare you to finish this teenage coming-of-age novel without chanting, “I must, I must, I must increase my bust.”

Twelve-year-old Margaret moves from NYC to the NJ suburbs where she begins to learn about boys, bras, and her period. She decides to confide in and ask all of her questions to…’ God .’

Read Even More Books Set In New Jersey For This American Reading List:

Superfudge by Judy Blume and The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz

Bomb by Steven Sheinkin

A 2012 National Book Awards finalist for Young People’s Literature, Bomb is the story behind the Atomic Bomb.

Spanning across the world, Bomb follows the stories of the scientists hidden away in Los Alamos desert, Soviet spies in both the U.S. and Great Britain, and a commando force in Norway.

Don’t Forget These 50 States Books Set In New Mexico :

Georgia O’Keeffe by Roxana Robinson , The Crossing by Cormac McCarthy , and Red Sky at Morning by Richard Bradford

The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James

One of our favorite books of 2020 , The Sun Down Motel, is perfect for fans of the My Favorite Murder  podcast.

Back in 1982, Carly Kirk’s Aunt Viv mysteriously disappears from the Sun Down Motel in upstate New York. 

With her mother’s recent death and a love for true crime, Carly heads off to the little cursed town of Fell to investigate her aunt’s disappearance from 30 years ago.

Is the same fate awaiting Carly? This ghost thriller is devour-worthy.

Cork Dork by Bianca Bosker

If you are looking for nonfiction wine books set around the US, head to New York’s finest restaurants in Bianca Bosker’s Cork Dork .

Bosker is downright hilarious and taught me just how much training goes into becoming a sommelier–even for Level One.

Gain a better appreciation, understanding, and possibly obsession from wine, Bosker also addresses the age-old question: Is wine tasting sometimes just BS?

Leave The World Behind by Rumaan Alam

An eerie and intense novel set on Long Island, NY, watch the unbearable distrust between two equally unlikable families trying to survive a mysterious blackout.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

You cannot have a 50 States books list without The Great Gatsby. Welcome to lavish America in the 1920s, home to West Egg and the East Egg.

No 50 States reading list would be complete without attending a Jay Gatsby party. As we all know, though, sometimes shiny appearances hide ugly insides.

Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane  

Named one of the best books of 2019, Ask Again, Yes will emotionally wreck you and put you back together in a new way, piece by piece. This is one of our top contemporary novels on this 50 States books reading list.

A book set heavily in NYC (including Queens), its suburbs, and Saratoga, meet two families who immigrated from England and Ireland.

Peter and Kate have grown up together, and just as their romance begins, Peter’s mother shoots Kate’s father. A heartbreakingly intense novel, follow both families for the next 40 years in a tribute to love, forgiveness, memories, and mental health.

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

Imagine a 50 state book set mostly on a train . This is where August meets Jane — who seems a little misplaced in time.

August must help Jane get unstuck from the train’s energy in one of the best time travel romances set in New York City. You’ll adore August’s amazing new group of friends and eat up this slow-burn love story.

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

For short books by state and fans of women’s friendship fiction, In Five Years is a not-to-miss NYC novel.

On the night of Dannie’s *planned* engagement, she falls asleep only to ‘see’ herself, 5 years in the future, in the arms of another man — her best friend’s man nonetheless.

How did this happen, and can you change the future?

Even More American Classics Set In New York:

A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith , Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote , and Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

Read more of the Best Books Set In New York .

North Carolina Novels

Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

For our 50 States reading challenge, don’t miss one of the most talked-about North Carolina novels of 2018, Where The Crawdads Sing.

Set in the North Carolinian marshes, you’ll get drawn into this sleepy coming-of-age story and southern murder mystery.

Kya Clark, the “marsh girl,” is accused of the murder of Chase Andrews. Can Kya overcome a prejudiced society and the loneliness from its isolation?

Look Homeward, Angel by Thomas Wolfe

Published in 1929,  Look Homeward, Angel  is an American classic with a little truth. Wolfe infamously writes about all of the people he meets growing up in Asheville, North Carolina, including his large and messy family.

Look Homeward, Angel is a coming-of-age story about a passionate young boy struck with restlessness and a sense to do more academically.

The Last Castle by Denise Kiernan

One of my favorite Asheville, North Carolina nonfiction reads, learn all about the Biltmore and the Vanderbilts in Denise Kiernan’s The Last Castle.

Kiernan is a famous historian known for uncovering in-depth histories. Learn about the love, debt, and community behind the Biltmore, Asheville’s iconic legacy.

Watch Edith take part in politics, and see the Vanderbilts’ legacy on forestry. 

P.S. If you are looking for more books set in Asheville, head over to our sister site Uncorked Asheville . We also share famous Asheville authors .

The Night Swim by Megan Goldin

A 2020 psychological thriller set in small-town North Carolina, follow Rachel Krall, a true-crime podcaster. Recruited into the coverage of a new trial as well as an unsolved murder case, deadly drama finds Rachel.

Can she solve the case before it’s too late?  

A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler

Similar to  Little Fires Everywhere  with  Romeo and Juliet vibes, when the wealthy and white Whitman family moves into close-knit Oak Knoll, North Carolina, no one can predict the tragic outcome of this story.  Or, can they?  

Find a 50 states books about racism, corruption, and disgusting men abusing power.

Check Out These 50 States Books Set In North Carolina:

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks and Big Lies In A Small Town by Diane Chamberlain .

Don’t miss even more books around America with this North Carolina Novels reading list .

North Dakota

The Round House by Louise Erdrich

Set on an Ojibwe reservation in North Dakota, The Round House won the National Book Award for fiction. A Native American woman is raped in a sacred round house with the accused being a non-Native, white man.

Questionable if the man can be even be charged, the woman’s teenage son pursues his own quest for justice. Read more Indigenous authors .

Continue Reading Around America With These North Dakota Books:

LaRose by Louise Erdrich and Paradise Valley by C.J. Box

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

Head to Shaker Heights in Cleveland, Ohio on our 50 States book list with Celeste Ng’s Little Fires Everywhere.

Elena Richardson embodies this Stepford Wives, yuppie town filled with rich and dysfunctional families.

With the arrival of Mia Warren, a mysterious black single mother and artist, and her beautiful daughter, Pearl, the town is sometimes inappropriately drawn to them.

These relationships are combustible along with haunting pasts and digging up truths.

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of Family Culture and Crisis by J.D. Vance

Hillbilly Elegy  is a #1  New York Times  Bestseller also turned into a major motion picture. Set in Middletown, Ohio, this is an American story about the working class and upward mobility.

Discussing the heart and problems with working and middle-class America, Vance tackles and brings to light issues with the current plight of the American Dream. This is one of the 50 States books hitting the big screen.

Fat Angie by E.E. Charlton-Trujillo

Next, head to Dryfalls, Ohio on our Best Books Set In Every State reading list. Fat Angie introduces a strong and darkly comedic protagonist. 

Overweight and struggling through high school, Fat Angie crushes on a new girl in town.

Winner of the 2014 Stonewall Book Award, Fat Angie also faces criticism about stereotyping overweight girls and the end goal of losing weight. Like Angie, the language is rough, and this title won’t be for everyone.

Discover More 50 States Books With These Novels Set In Ohio:

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng and The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

The Removed by Brandon Hobson

Hobson weaves a tale of Cherokee folklore and family in a powerful story about family, addiction, home, and grief. When a racist police officer kills Ray-Ray, his family is never the same.

Where The Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

Oklahoma, unfortunately, doesn’t have any 50 States books that I love, including Where The Red Fern Grows , which I read in 5th grade. Of course, you know me and animal stories…

Where The Red Fern Grows is a brutal dog novel and why you’d make elementary school kids read this one is beyond me.

However, a classic novel set in Oklahoma, Billy remembers his days with his two hunting dogs. They brave dangers, bond, and um, die . Just a warning… But people love it, sigh, and I didn’t want to be biased.

Add These Books Set In Oklahoma To Your 50 States Reading List, Too:

Paradise by Toni Morrison , The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

In If I Stay, seventeen-year-old Mia’s family gets into a horrific car accident outside of Portland, Oregon. Mia has an out-of-body experience as she lays in a coma in the hospital, having no idea the fate of her other family members.

With flashbacks to everyone’s earlier lives, Mia has a decision to make: will she wake up and stay on this earth?

With a love for music, Mia also learns that has been accepted into her dream school. Is it enough, especially after her grandfather has given her permission to join her family on the other side?

More 50 States Books Set In Oregon:

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey and Ramona the Brave by Beverly Cleary

Pennsylvania

Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid

One of the most talked-about books of 2019 into 2020, if you are looking for a book set in Philadelphia, PA, don’t miss Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid.

Every 50 States reading list should include this novel for its brilliant discussion of racism, classism, and privilege. Witness more complicated insight into white liberal racism and the savior complex. Alix hires 26-year-old Emira to take care of her daughter, Briar.

When a grocery store security guard stops Emira late at night and questions her as to why she has a white child in tote, Alix becomes more and more obsessed with forming a relationship with Emira.

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

Once diagnosed with terminal cancer, Randy Pausch decides to give his last lecture about the merits of life at Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh, PA.

Some of his advice: Seize every day and every moment because it is true that life goes by too quickly. Help others, move on, and dream big.

The Beauty In Breaking by Michele Harper

One of the absolute best memoirs set in Philadelphia, PA, Black ER physician, Michele Harper, recounts her childhood of abuse, surviving divorce in adulthood, and her different roles as a doctor through her eyes as well as interactions with her patients.

Harper examines trauma, racism, sexism, healing, and professionalism. There is indeed beauty in breaking.

The Perks Of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

If you are looking for YA books set in every state, don’t miss The Perks Of Being A Wallflower. 

An ALA most challenged book for its open discussion of sexuality and sexual abuse, discover a classic coming of age story about surviving high school, family drama, sex, and drugs.

YA readers will appreciate and relate to this mature LGBT+ themed book as Charlie navigates being a teenager. A wallflower, Charlie witnesses it ALL in Pittsburgh, PA.

Don’t miss even more great 1990s books to read .

Read These Pennsylvania Books Already? Try These:

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold and The Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger (a classic 1950s book )

Rhode Island

My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult

Set in the fictional town of Upper Darby, Rhode Island, My Sister’s Keeper is a heart-wrenching Picoult novel about living with cancer and family bonds.

Two-year-old Kate has leukemia. The only chance to help her is by having a second child with the goal to use that child’s body to save Kate’s life. While Kate and her sister Anna are close, Anna is forced to do whatever it takes to keep Kate alive. Meanwhile, the family’s only son is practically pushed into the background while their father is a passive player in this morally wrong experience.

What happens when Anna is old enough to decide that she wants a say in all of this? What happens when she says ‘no more.’

The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri

The Namesake is one of my favorite novels, and Pulitzer Prize-winning Lahiri is known for her stories that reflect on ethnicity, home, and generations of family.

Set in Rhode Island and India , The Lowland chronicles the lives of two inseparable brothers, Subhash and Udayan Mitra.

Subhash leaves for America to pursue scientific research while Udayan stays in India to join a rebellion against poverty.

Subhash returns home to devastation as his family falls into shambles over the brothers’ opposing life choices.

Head To Rhode Island With These 50 States Books:

Spartina by John D. Casey and The Witches Of Eastwick by John Updike

South Carolina

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

Head to Charleston, South Carolina in The Invention of Wings. A southern novel Inspired by a historical figure, Sarah Grimke is ‘gifted’ Hetty, a slave, when she is 11-years-old.

Over the next 35 years, we watch as Sarah and Hetty shape each other’s lives. A novel about friendship, morals, and freedom, readers witness a discriminating time in American history.

As Much As I Ever Could by Brandy Snow Woods

If you need the perfect American summer beach read, head to Edisto, South Carolina in YA indie novel, As Much As I Ever Could .

Imagine a sweet race car driver with a crush on a girl who was the sole survivor in a family car accident. Sent to live with her sassy grandmother, CJ must overcome self-blame and heartbreak.

The Southern Book Club’s Guide To Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

For vampire horror books set in South Carolina, you’ll love this true-crime-reading Southern book club.

Patricia Campbell’s Southern life appears pretty lame, especially in a town where everyone’s husbands see them as skittish and hysterical housewives. If only her life was as exciting as the books.

When creepy and murderous vampire James Harris moves into town, can Patricia stop him? Will anyone believe her? This 50 states book takes a dark and violent turn.

Add Even More Books Set In South Carolina To Your American Reading List:

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd , Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson , Meant To Be Broken by Brandy Woods Snow , and Beach Music by Pat Conroy

South Dakota

A Long Way From Home by Tom Brokaw

If you are looking for reflections on America, Tom Brokaw’s A Long Way From Home has been described as a love letter to the people and his experiences of growing up in Pickstown, South Dakota.

Brokaw notes that he had a “Tom Sawyer” childhood.

When his father accepts a job for the Army Corps of Engineers, their move to South Dakota begins his own initiation into the American Dream, including a career in journalism, marriage, and education.

More 50 States Books Set In South Dakota:

Little Town on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder , 61 Hours by Lee Child , and The Work Of Wolves by Kent Meyers

Tennessee Books

Poke Sallet Queen & The Family Medicine Wheel by Shana Thornton

If you are looking for an indie book set in Tennessee, don’t miss  Poke Sallet Queen & The Family Medicine Wheel by Shana Thronton.

A contemporary coming-of-age story set in and around Nashville, Robin Ballard is learning more about her family history for her college writing seminar.

Robin uncovers more about her homeless father as well as dysfunctional family members through stories, recipes, superstitions, and lost journal pages dating back to the 1920s.

Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver

Flight Behavior is set in rural Tennessee and focuses on climate change. Dellarobia Turnbow discovers that the valley behind her house is filled with monarch butterflies.

Of course, this happens on her way to have an affair in the woods. Learn more about Appalachian life and find a message relevant to today.

The Girls Of Atomic City by Denise Kiernan

The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II  is a nonfiction novel set in Oakridge, Tennessee.

During WWII, meet the women who helped build the atomic bomb and later dealt with its aftermath.

Much of this history remained a secret at the time, and we learn about the government’s mysterious and obscure ongoings in a city that no one knew about.

Even More Tennessee Novels For You:

All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin , The Firm by John Grisham , If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo , and The Firm by John Grisham

We love 50 States Books reading lists. If you need more books set in and around the south, try these Books Set In Tennessee .

The Gravity Of Us by Phil Stamper

Head to Houston, Texas with LGBT romance, The Gravity Of Us. Cal dreams of becoming a world-renowned journalist with an upcoming BuzzFeed internship and a huge social media following.

With plans on hold as his parents move the family from Brooklyn to Houston to work on a NASA mission to Mars, Cal sees his dreams smashed apart.

However, Cal finds himself falling head over heels for an astronaut’s son and with a new story to share with millions of young followers. As for 50 states books, this is one of my favorite newer YA titles.

No Country For Old Men by Cormac McCarthy

Head to the Texas-Mexico border in No Country For Old Men. Llewellyn Moss finds a pickup truck stuffed with money and heroin that is surrounded by dead men.

Taking the money, Llewellyn sets off a dangerous set of life-changing events.

Aristotle And Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Set in El Paso, Texas, Aristotle and Dante   Discover   The Secrets of The Universe is a sweet and slow-paced LGBT YA romance.

Aristotle and Dante are best friends and loners who have to sort through their confusing feelings for each other. This Printz Honor Book has won numerous awards such as the Lambda Literary Award and Stonewall Book Award.

Valentine by Elizabeth Wetmore

A Read With Jenna and BOTM selection, Valentine is a book set in Odessa, Texas in the mid-1970s. There are trigger warnings for animal cruelty, racism, and assault.

This rural fiction, women’s novel alternatives perspectives of 5 women affected by the brutal attack of Gloria, a young Mexican girl. Atmospheric, Valentine is one of the titles on this 50 States reading list where the setting has the most prominence. Watch poverty, racism, abandonment, and a failed justice system at its worst.

The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon

Rom-com meets technology in this women’s friendship book set in Austin, Texas.

Samiah Brooks becomes a viral YouTube star when she realizes that the man she’s dating is seeing multiple women at the same time.

Samiah heads to the restaurant to give her ‘boyfriend’ a piece of her mind and meets Craig’s other dates.

The women band together and start “The Boyfriend Project,” a pact dedicated to taking six months off from dating to work on personal projects and hobbies.

Find Even More Great 50 States Books Set In Texas:

All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy , Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris , and News of the World by Paulette Jiles

On Location by Sarah Echavarre Smith

In an ode to Utah’s national parks, don’t miss multicultural romance, On Location .

Alia Dunn has paid her dues, working her way up the TV production ladder. In a workforce full of sexism and bias, Alia is finally able to produce her own show.

The national parks in Utah hold a special place in her heart, and Alia wants nothing more than to honor her Filipina grandmother.

Add in an unreliable and annoying host plus one handsome crew member, and Alia has both her hands and heart full.

True to Smith’s iconic style, find a sexy romance, feminism, and a nod to family, culture, and healthy relationships — at work, home, and in love.

This is one of the most scenic books set in Utah with breathtaking sunrises, strenuous hikes, and small-town exploration, beer included

The World’s Strongest Librarian by Josh Hanagarne

Josh Hanagarne was officially diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome in the 9th grade. As he grew older and taller, his tics became unmanageable.

A Mormon determined to live life to its fullest and conquer his tics through strength training, John ultimately married, had a son, and became a librarian for Salt Lake City.

The World’s Strongest Librarian is Josh’s journey to live with and beyond Tourettes and is perfect for librarian lovers and fitness gurus.

In A Holidaze by Christina Lauren

If you are looking for a sexy rom-com set in Utah on our 50 states reading list, don’t miss the Christmas novel, In A Holidaze . Maelyn Jones is caught in a time loop that has a surprise ending involving her childhood crush and friend. Looking

For More 50 States Books? Continue Reading With These Books Set In Utah:

Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer, The Desert Sky Before Us by Anne Valente , The Executioner’s Song by Norman Mailer , and A Study In Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter

Published in 1913, Pollyanna is a children’s American classic about optimism. Pollyanna Whittier is an orphan who lives in Beldingsville, Vermont with her stuffy and rich Aunt who really doesn’t want her.

Pollyanna plays a game that her father taught her, “The Glad Game,” where you always try to find the good in life. Of course, Pollyanna’s cheerful attitude is contagious.

The Broken Girls by Simone St. James

Although The Broken Girls wasn’t our all-time favorite dark academic book , our readers and Goodreads loved this suspense novel.

Follow four friends at a haunted boarding school in Vermont in the 1950s. Then, flash forward to 2014 when a mysterious woman buys the property under the guise of renovations.

When the construction team finds the body of one of the young women, Fiona Sheridan takes on the story, especially since a murderer dumped her own sister’s body here.

Home Before Dark by Riley Sager

Although not our all-time favorite haunted house book , our readers love Riley Sager and Home Before Dark. This is a fast-paced ghost thriller and spooky book set in Vermont.

Is Maggie’s childhood home actually haunted? Or, did her father lie just to create — and sell — his bestselling book?

50 States Books Set In Vermont You May Also Enjoy:

The Secret History by Donna Tartt , Midwives by Chris Bohjalian , and House Rules by Jodi Picoult

Razorblade Tears by S. A. Cosby

One of the best books set in Virginia from 2021, watch as a Black father and a white father revert to their old habits to seek revenge for their gay sons’ murders.

While extremely violent, full of trigger warnings, and one of the most fast-paced Southern novels on this 50 States reading list, encounter an equally powerful story about guilt and grief alongside love, friendship, and growth.

Fair and Tender Ladies by Lee Smith

Living in North Carolina, we love the Blue Ridge Mountains which is where Fair and Tender Ladies transports readers.

An epistolary novel set in Virginia, Ivy’s hardships exemplify an Appalachian upbringing during the middle part of the 20th century.

The Awakening by L.J. Smith

Looking for unique YA books set in every state? The Vampire Diaries take place in Mystic Falls, Virginia and Convington, Georgia.

When hunky Stefan ignores the interests of Elena Gilbert, she cannot figure out why.  Of course, like Edward in  Twilight , Stefan is a vamp with a bad boy brother.  Find suspense and high school drama.

Don’t Miss These 50 States Books Set In Virginia:

Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews and Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

One of the most famous 50 States books that people love to hate is Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight . Set in Washington, Bella falls into a love triangle with a vampire and a werewolf.

Who will Bella choose, and what will be the consequences of these interspecies dating?

Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

Head to Seattle, Washington in Where’d You Go, Bernadette. Bernadette Peters is a hot mess who is allergic to Seattle and people.

She is also a mom, best friend, opinionated wife, and an amazing architect. When her daughter Bee earns a trip to Antarctica, Bernadette mysteriously disappears, putting Bee on the hunt for Bernadette.

Looking For Different 50 States Books Set In Washington? Try These?

Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson and Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

West Virginia

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

If you are looking for some of the best books set in each state that have also been made into movies, try The Glass Castle .

Set in Welch, West Virginia, Walls faces a childhood of misguided neglect. With a father who has outlandish dreams, she spends her childhood having nothing except the love of her irresponsible family. 

The siblings band together to care for each other. Walls ultimately succeeds as an adult while her parents choose to live homelessly.

Rocket Boys by Homer H. Hickam

Rocket Boys is a coming-of-age American memoir set during the 1960s in Coalwood, West Virginia.

In a town where only football and coal mining matter, Sonny and his friends decide to build their own rockets inspired by the U.S. space race. These boys have their eyes on the future outside of their little hometown.

We Are Winding Down Our Books From All 50 States Reading List. Don’t Miss More 50 States Books Set In West Virginia:

Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor and Lark And Termite by Jayne Ann Phillips

We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz

For one of the creepiest books set in Wisconsin, meet best friends Emily and Kristen. These two adventurous female travelers can’t seem to pick the right one-night-stands.

The aggressive male backpackers always end up dead, forcing the women to hide the bodies and cover up the murders.

Are these accidents truly self-defense or is something more sinister at play, especially as Emily starts digging into Kristen’s past?

If you enjoy toxic friendship themes, this is one of the best 50 states books to suck you into the drama.

A Map Of The World by Jane Hamilton

An old-school Oprah Book Club book, A Map Of The World follows the Goodwins, who live on a dairy farm in Wisconsin.

When their neighbors’ daughter drowns in their pool, Alice descends into darkness. Soon after, she is accused of sexually abusing a child at her elementary school and is arrested.

With a community that is already suspicious of her “hippie” ways, she must find herself to overcome these hardships and judgments.

Don’t Forget These Wisconsin Books:

Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder and The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach

Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx

One of the 50 States books set in Wyoming, Brokeback Mountain tells the story of two male ranch hands and sheepherders that start falling for each other.

Jack Twist and Ennis del Mar are both married to women, but over the course of 20 years, they start to realize that they have different feelings, leading to affairs and a tumultuous relationship.

More 50 States Books Set In Wyoming:

Open Season by C.J. Box and Happiness For Beginners by Katherine Center

What Are Some Of Your Favorite 50 States Books?

What are some of your favorite books in every state? Are there some U.S. novels on this book list that you don’t love? Do you read books from one state more than another and why? I know the Dakotas and anything out West were harder for me. What books do you think we are missing on our 50 States reading list? Please let us know in the comments.

Book Lists Across America That You May Also Enjoy:

Books Set Across North America

Southern Novels & Authors Best Audiobooks For Road Trips Great Road Trip Books Famous Travel Writers

Christine Frascarelli

31 Comments

My favorite books set in Florida: The Pecan Man by Cassie Selleck Before Woman Had Wings by Connie Mae Fowler

My favorite books set in Washington: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Kristin Hannah Kristin Hannah books (many set in Washington

My favorite book set in California (San Francisco): House of Sand and Fog

Thanks so much for sharing, Gail!

Would it be possible to get this list in a printable pdf?

Hi Cheryl! Right now, we don’t have any of our lists as PDFs – but that is a great idea for the future.

Cold Mountain by Charles Frazer for North Carolina is one of my top 10 books.

That’s a popular one for NC! Thanks so much for sharing.

Try The How and the Why by Cynthia Hand for Idaho. YA fiction about adoption.

Thank you for the book rec!

Not sure about the “best” in every state, but certainly the two most important by far written in the last 100 years for the entire nation are: Stack the Legal Odds in Your Favor You Have the Right to Remain Innocent

Thanks for sharing!

Amazing list ~Congratulations!!

Just to put a couple books on your radar; Look to the Mountain by LeGrand Cannon is a wonderful book set in New Hampshire. The Crosswick Journals by Madeleine L’Engle is set in the Litchfield hills of Connecticut.

Thank you so much for the great book suggestions! I appreciate it!

Big Little Lies (the book) is actually set in Australia. I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re wanting to read about California. They set the tv series in Monterey, but it was changed from the original setting.

Gail, OH MY GOSH you are right! Thank you for the correction. I read Big Little Lies back in 2014. It was my favorite novel that year. But, then I watched the TV series much later, and I think that is what I had in my mind as I was writing this up?! Oops! I double-checked many of these titles but somehow that one got by me, probably because of that dang HBO series–which I also loved. I still need to watch the second one. Have you seen the TV series? I love Moriarity books, too–have you read her? Thanks, again. I will update it.

God this list is a monster! I don’t know how you had the patience! But I’m very impressed.

I’m excited that I might finally get to join in one of your reading challenges this year. I’m just debating whether to use it as an excuse to finally finish reading all of Tayari’s Jones’ catalogue (her books are just so damn good! And so far they’re all excellent picks for Georgia!), or else I’ve been eyeing up The Unknown Americans and The Round House for awhile… So many choices. And yes, I do realise it doesn’t have to be one of these ones, but I already have too many to decide from!

So many books on here that I grew up reading. I also kinda feel like doing a double re-read of To Kill a Mockingbird and In Cold Blood . A part of me feels like I should read The Shining because I grew up in Colorado, but while I love the film, I just don’t tend to get on with King’s writing…

Also, Nickel and Dimed is such an important book and I feel like every American (at least those above a certain salary) should have to read it!

This 50 States reading list was such a monster, and every time I look at it, I find something that needs more love lol. I do look forward to updating it with contemporary books and great new releases as I find them. Locations weren’t always on my radar until I started traveling (and started TUL).

Yay, Uncorked Reading Challenge–I am hoping that people are still with me. It’s been a little more quiet than usual on that front, but times are crazy.

I didn’t read To Kill A Mockingbird until I was an adult, which I think is crazy. I cannot believe that all of my schooling left it out.

We had to read Nickel and Dimed before entering college, and I agree: it’s an essential American book. I feel like the people who really need to read it probably never will…

This list is insane, there is just too much choice!!

I absolutely loved The Babysitter’s Club, I always remember that it’s set in Connecticut as I used to pronounce it Connect-ee-cut and it wasn’t that long ago that my mum was like no, that’s not right ?

I was also a big fan of The Last Lecture and absolutely recommend it to anyone.

I just bought Big Lies in a Small Town for Kindle so I think I’ll pick that, I’ve been so excited to read it! I also have Little Fires Everywhere on there though and it’s been way over a year since I bought it ?

I’m currently listening to The Giver of Stars which I think is set in Kentucky and reading Change of Heart (Jodi Picoult) which is set in New Hampshire. I’d recommend both!

Roll on May ?

I thought this 50 States reading list was going to kill me, lol! I was being very dramatic the entire time that I was writing it.

Ahaha, I grew up in CT, and let me tell you, I could never say it correctly, which also meant that I always spelled it incorrectly. I could not imagine growing up without The Babysitter’s Club . Looking back, I’d be curious to see how PC they were, haha.

I’m due for a re-read of The Last Lecture. Love it!

One of my book list contributors wrote about Big Lies in a Small Town for our books set in North Carolina reading list. I’ve only heard great things, and I need to read it ASAP, too.

Ohhhhhh, yassssss; thank you for the other 50 States book suggestions! Keep ’em coming. I’m not sure what state I am going to work on next.

Was it worse than the Indie book list?! Keeping up with the comments I mean haha.

Same! Those books totally shaped my childhood. I bought 9 of them last year and can’t wait to reread!

Oh perfect, I’m going to check out their review, thanks 🙂

This list is just making my feet itchy, I miss America soooo much.

Ooohhh, good question. So the indie April challenge took a lot of time–but the hardest part about that one was coordinating the books between authors and readers. I have a much better plan for next year. That reading list only had 50 books on it–I say only and laugh hysterically now lol. This 50 States books list was a lot more…and unlike indies, I uploaded all of the book covers (indies was just the Amazon image since it’s a post with a short life span). Sooo, yea, worse haha.

Right now, America is a hot mess lol

Great list! But… All the Pretty Horses is set in Mexico. Not Texas. They are only in Texas in the first and last of the story.

Thank you! Many of the books on this reading list cross over in many states, regions, countries, and areas (like The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants , as one example); they are not always unique to just one location. Like you mention, All The Pretty Horses starts in San Angelo, Texas and is a border story. It has also won the U.S. National Book Award and is an American classic to many. I couldn’t imagine not having it on this list, especially since the book takes place in both Texas and Mexico.

This is a mighty big roundup, which is so American, of course :’) I don’t know if I ever realised that The Babysitters Clubs was set in Conneticut even though I read soooo many of that series!! Definitely one of my favourites series growing up, and somewhat long forgotten, so I’m glad you reminded me of them :’) Claudia & Stacey were always my favourite characters!

Ahaha. I grew up in Connecticut so I love that The Babysitter’s Club is set there. I loved the old school books. Working in the library, I noticed that they started to make new ones, too. Not sure how I feel about that. My mom still has my childhood bookshelf filled with them.

Oh my! You have outdone yourself with this list! I know you worked your ass off putting this together and I admire you so much. This is amazing, I know you’ll be adding to it as time passes too.

So, I’m ashamed to say I have no read any of the books listed under California. I mean, does watch the Big Little Lies series count? I did download the book and never read it.

I really should be reading more during my pandemic time-out.

Thank you so much for putting this list together. I’ll be pinning to a few boards.

This America Reading List was INSANE to work on–thank you. lol!! It’s also stirred up a lot of talk, haha. And yes, there are so many books set in each state that I will add more as they come. I like to update with a few books from the current year. I’m also lacking western novels here.

I loved Big Little Lies , and it was technically filmed in California. That HBO series was fabulous (I only saw one season). I did read the book too–it’s great.

Thanks for commenting and sharing. It’s been hard to read during this crazy time. Happy Easter!

The book isn’t set in California, though. It’s set in Australia. They changed it for the series.

This list is insane (in the best way!!) I forgot where so many of these titles were set. I love Where’d You Go Barnadette and I’m so happy it made the list. A few years ago I read Hattie Big Sky (kids novel) set in and about Montana and it gave me serious big sky wanderlust. I’ll definitely be sharing this list!

Haha, no trust me: I’ve been avoiding making my 50 States reading list allllll year because I knew it would take FOREVER. How can you even begin to pick the best novels from each state? …And then people get super passionate about your choices, too. Haha. It felt insane as I was working on it. I even told Tom that I was SO OVER it all by state 20, hahaha. But, I love this book list now that it’s finished. I am sure that I will add more to it, too.

I also loved Where’d You Go, Bernadette, and when it first published, I felt like it was pretty unique and relevant. Montana was one of those states that stumped me for books, at first. Thanks for the rec!

Holy cow what a list! I applaud you for putting so much work into this. I have only heard of a couple of these books and after looking over this list I realize how few books I have read set in the states – which isn’t surprising given that I mostly read fantasy and science fiction. I’m currently on a book buying ban and of course, the libraries are closed right now, but once that lifts I will be working on getting some of these books. Really looking forward to getting to read some of these books.

Hey Sarah! Thank you so much. It was definitely quite the project! I never love calling anything the “best” unless it’s comprehensive and well researched–hence making A HUGE 50 States book list. Phew! I also wanted this reading list to be as diverse as possible.

In making this America book list, I realized that I don’t read a lot of westerns–like none. Ek!

I do miss my local library, too. I have a ton of ebooks on hold, but I am pretty far down on the lists for most books (6+ months). I cannot wait to get a hold of a few more.

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Hemingway's Books and Records

Best Books About Usa. 2024 Edition

Welcome to our curated list of the 20 best books about the USA! Whether you’re a history buff, a political junkie, or simply a lover of great literature, these books offer a diverse and captivating look at the land of the free. From iconic novels to insightful non-fiction, these books on USA cover a wide range of topics, ensuring there’s something for everyone. So, grab a cup of coffee, cozy up in your favorite reading nook, and prepare to be transported through the pages of these captivating USA books.

• 1 20 Best Books About Usa
• 2 The Great Gatsby
• 3 To Kill a Mockingbird
• 4 The Catcher in the Rye
• 6 The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
• 7 The Grapes of Wrath
• 8 Moby-Dick
• 9 The Color Purple
• 10 The Old Man and the Sea
• 11 Gone with the Wind
• 12 The Scarlet Letter
• 13 The Great American Novel
• 14 The Sound and the Fury
• 15 The Sun Also Rises
• 16 The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
• 17 The Joy Luck Club
• 18 The Bell Jar
• 19 The Road
• 20 The Help
• 21 The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
• 22 Conclusion

20 Best Books About Usa

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The Great Gatsby

By f. scott fitzgerald.

The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is a classic American novel that delves into the extravagant and turbulent world of 1920s America. The story follows the enigmatic Jay Gatsby, a wealthy and mysterious man who throws lavish parties in the hopes of winning back his former love, Daisy Buchanan. Through the eyes of narrator Nick Carraway, the reader is immersed in a tale of love, ambition, and the pursuit of the American Dream. This timeless novel explores themes of wealth, class, and the emptiness that can lie beneath the glitz and glamour of the Jazz Age. With its lyrical prose and vivid portrayal of the Roaring Twenties, The Great Gatsby remains a quintessential book about the complexities of life in the United States during this era.

To Kill a Mockingbird

By harper lee.

To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee , is a classic novel set in the 1930s American South. The story follows Scout Finch, a young girl growing up in the racially divided town of Maycomb, Alabama. Through Scout’s eyes, the reader is exposed to the injustice and prejudice that permeates the society and legal system of the time. The novel is a powerful exploration of race, class, and moral growth, as Scout’s father, lawyer Atticus Finch, defends a black man accused of raping a white woman. To Kill a Mockingbird is not just a book about the USA; it is a timeless exploration of the universal themes of empathy, compassion, and the fight for justice. Lee’s poignant and evocative writing has made this novel a beloved and impactful work in American literature.

The Catcher in the Rye

By j.d. salinger.

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is a classic coming-of-age novel that follows the rebellious and disillusioned teenager, Holden Caulfield, as he navigates the streets of New York City. The book provides a raw and honest portrayal of the struggles and confusion of adolescence, as Holden grapples with issues of identity, alienation, and the search for authenticity. Through Salinger’s poignant and insightful prose, readers are taken on a journey through the complexities of teenage angst and the longing for connection in a world that often feels isolating. The novel is a timeless book about the USA, capturing the essence of American youth and the challenges of growing up in a society that often values conformity over individuality.

by Toni Morrison

Beloved by Toni Morrison is a haunting and powerful novel set in the aftermath of the Civil War in the United States. The story follows Sethe, a former slave who is haunted by the trauma of her past and the ghost of her deceased daughter, Beloved. As Sethe struggles to come to terms with her past and the horrors of slavery, the novel explores themes of identity, trauma, and the legacy of slavery in America. Morrison’s rich and evocative prose brings the characters and their struggles to life, creating a deeply moving and thought-provoking reading experience. Beloved is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of the American experience and the lasting impact of historical trauma.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

By mark twain.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, written by Mark Twain, is a classic book about the USA. The story follows the adventures of a young boy named Huckleberry Finn as he escapes from his abusive father and sets out on a journey down the Mississippi River with a runaway slave named Jim. Set in the antebellum South, the novel provides a vivid portrayal of life in the United States of America during the 19th century, addressing themes of race, freedom, and morality. Twain’s use of regional dialects and his sharp social commentary make this book on the USA a timeless and thought-provoking read, challenging the reader to confront the complexities of American society and history.

The Grapes of Wrath

By john steinbeck.

The Grapes of Wrath, a classic novel by John Steinbeck, is a powerful portrayal of the struggles and hardships faced by a family during the Great Depression in the United States. This book on the USA follows the Joad family as they are forced to leave their Oklahoma farm and travel to California in search of work and a better life. The novel vividly captures the poverty, dust storms, and exploitation that many Americans endured during this tumultuous time. The Grapes of Wrath is a poignant and moving book about the USA that sheds light on the strength and resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Steinbeck’s evocative prose and compelling storytelling make this novel a timeless and important work in American literature.

by Herman Melville

Moby-Dick, a classic book on USA by Herman Melville, is a gripping tale of obsession, revenge, and the relentless pursuit of a legendary white whale. Set on a whaling ship, the Pequod, the story is narrated by Ishmael as he joins the enigmatic Captain Ahab on a perilous journey to hunt down the elusive Moby Dick. As the crew battles the treacherous sea, they also face the darkness within themselves, making the novel a powerful exploration of human nature and the complexities of life in the USA. Melville’s rich prose and vivid descriptions transport readers to the heart of the 19th-century whaling industry, creating an unforgettable literary experience that continues to resonate with audiences today.

The Color Purple

By alice walker.

The Color Purple by Alice Walker is a powerful and heart-wrenching novel that takes place in the United States. This classic book about the USA follows the life of Celie, an African American woman who faces oppression and abuse in the early 1900s. Through a series of letters to God and her sister, Celie shares her journey of finding her own strength and voice. The novel explores themes of racism, sexism, and the resilience of the human spirit. Walker’s beautiful prose and poignant storytelling shed light on the struggles and triumphs of African American women in the USA. The Color Purple is a compelling and important book about the USA that continues to resonate with readers today.

The Old Man and the Sea

By ernest hemingway.

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway is a classic American novel that tells the story of an aging Cuban fisherman named Santiago who is determined to catch a giant marlin. Set in the waters off the coast of Cuba, the novel explores themes of bravery, determination, and the struggle against nature. As Santiago battles the marlin for days, he reflects on his life and the challenges he has faced. The novella is a powerful and poignant exploration of the human spirit and the resilience of the individual against seemingly insurmountable odds. Hemingway’s spare and evocative prose captures the beauty and brutality of the sea, making The Old Man and the Sea a timeless tale of perseverance and the human condition. It is a must-read for anyone interested in a book about USA.

Gone with the Wind

By margaret mitchell.

Gone with the Wind is a classic book about the United States, written by Margaret Mitchell. Set in the American South during the Civil War and Reconstruction era, it follows the story of Scarlett O’Hara as she navigates the challenges of love, loss, and survival. The novel offers a vivid portrayal of the changing social and political landscape of the USA, with rich historical detail and complex characters. As one of the most beloved books about the USA, it has captured the imagination of readers for generations with its epic scope and timeless themes of resilience and determination.

Recommended for you:

The Scarlet Letter

By nathaniel hawthorne.

The Scarlet Letter is a classic novel set in the early days of the United States. This gripping tale written by Nathaniel Hawthorne follows the story of Hester Prynne, a woman living in a Puritan society who is publicly shamed for committing adultery and forced to wear a scarlet letter ‘A’ on her clothing. As she struggles with the consequences of her actions, the novel delves into themes of sin, guilt, and redemption. The setting of this book on the American frontier provides a rich backdrop for the exploration of moral and social issues. Hawthorne’s vivid descriptions and compelling characters make this a timeless and thought-provoking book about the United States that continues to captivate readers today.

The Great American Novel

By philip roth.

The Great American Novel by Philip Roth is a compelling exploration of the American experience. This book on the USA delves into the complexities of American identity, history, and culture through the lens of baseball and the mythic town of Patriot Field. Roth weaves together a rich tapestry of characters and narratives, capturing the essence of the American spirit and the contradictions that define the nation. With his signature wit and insight, Roth tackles themes of ambition, success, and the pursuit of the American dream, creating a thought-provoking and engrossing portrait of the USA. The novel offers a poignant and often humorous commentary on the American ethos, making it a must-read for anyone interested in a book about the USA.

The Sound and the Fury

By william faulkner.

The Sound and the Fury is a classic book about the United States, written by William Faulkner. Set in the American South, this novel follows the Compson family through the decline of their once-prominent status. Faulkner’s powerful prose delves into the complexities of family dynamics, racial tensions, and the passage of time in the Deep South. The story is told through the perspectives of different characters, each struggling with their own personal demons and the weight of their family’s history. The novel is a compelling exploration of the American experience, filled with rich symbolism and lyrical language. A timeless portrayal of the complexities of the human condition, The Sound and the Fury is a must-read for anyone interested in the intricacies of the United States.

The Sun Also Rises

The Sun Also Rises, written by Ernest Hemingway, is a classic novel that takes readers on a captivating journey through the 1920s. Set primarily in Europe, this book delves into the lives of a group of expatriates as they navigate the post-World War I era. The story follows the protagonist, Jake Barnes, as he grapples with his war wounds and unrequited love for the captivating Lady Brett Ashley. Through vivid prose and compelling characters, Hemingway paints a vivid portrait of the ‘Lost Generation’ and their struggles with love, identity, and purpose. The Sun Also Rises is a timeless exploration of disillusionment and longing, and it continues to captivate readers with its poignant portrayal of the human experience. This book about USA captures the essence of a generation searching for meaning in a world forever changed by war.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a classic book set in the United States and written by Mark Twain. It follows the mischievous and adventurous Tom Sawyer as he navigates childhood in a small town along the Mississippi River. The story is filled with humor, excitement, and a touch of nostalgia for a bygone era. Twain’s vivid descriptions bring the small town of St. Petersburg to life, and readers are drawn into Tom’s world of pirates, treasure hunts, and daring escapades. This beloved book about the USA captures the essence of American childhood and has captivated readers for generations with its timeless themes of friendship, freedom, and the thrill of exploration.

The Joy Luck Club

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan is a captivating book about the USA that delves into the lives of four Chinese immigrant families and their American-born daughters. Set in San Francisco, the novel brings to life the struggles and triumphs of these women as they navigate the complexities of their dual cultural identities. Through a series of interconnected stories, Tan explores themes of mother-daughter relationships, cultural clashes, and the immigrant experience in America. The narrative is rich with vivid descriptions of Chinese traditions and the immigrant community, providing a poignant and insightful portrayal of the USA from a unique perspective. The Joy Luck Club is a compelling and heartfelt exploration of the immigrant experience, making it a must-read book on the USA.

The Bell Jar

By sylvia plath.

The Bell Jar, written by Sylvia Plath, is a captivating novel that delves into the mental health struggles of its protagonist, Esther Greenwood. Set in the 1950s, the book provides a poignant portrayal of a young woman’s descent into depression and her battle to break free from societal expectations and gender roles. Plath’s lyrical prose and vivid imagery offer a powerful exploration of identity, ambition, and the pressures of conformity, making it a timeless and thought-provoking read. This classic novel remains a poignant reflection of the human experience and continues to resonate with readers around the world. Whether you’re looking for a book on the USA, a book about the USA, or a USA book, The Bell Jar offers a compelling and insightful perspective on the complexities of the human psyche.

by Cormac McCarthy

The Road by Cormac McCarthy is a post-apocalyptic novel set in a bleak, desolate world. It follows the journey of a father and son as they travel through a ravaged landscape, struggling to survive and maintain their humanity in the face of unrelenting danger. The book on USA is a haunting exploration of love, hope, and the human spirit in a world that has been decimated by an unspecified catastrophe. McCarthy’s sparse, poetic prose captures the raw beauty and brutality of the landscape, painting a vivid portrait of a world stripped bare of civilization. The novel is a powerful meditation on the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring bond between a father and his son, making it a must-read for anyone interested in a book about USA.

by Kathryn Stockett

The Help is a compelling and powerful book about the United States that takes place in 1960s Mississippi. The novel follows the lives of three women – two African American maids and a young white woman – as they navigate the complexities of race, class, and gender in the Deep South. With beautiful prose and rich character development, Kathryn Stockett paints a vivid picture of the social and political landscape of the time. The story delves into the deep-seated prejudices and injustices that plagued the country during this era, while also celebrating the courage and resilience of those who dared to challenge the status quo. The Help is a poignant and thought-provoking book on the USA that offers a powerful commentary on the human experience and the pursuit of justice.

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

By junot díaz.

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, written by Junot Díaz, is a captivating novel that explores the experiences of a Dominican family in the United States. This Pulitzer Prize-winning book delves into the life of Oscar, an overweight and nerdy Dominican-American who dreams of becoming a writer while navigating the complexities of love and identity. Set against the backdrop of the Dominican Republic’s history, the novel offers a unique perspective on the immigrant experience in the US. With its blend of humor, history, and heartbreak, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the American Dream and the pursuit of belonging. This book about the USA provides an insightful and engaging portrayal of the immigrant experience.

Exploring the diverse landscape of American literature through the lens of these 20 best books about Usa offers a rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and stories. From classic works that have shaped the nation’s literary identity to contemporary voices that reflect the complexities of modern America, these books provide a captivating journey through the country’s history, culture, and people. Whether you’re a history buff, a literature enthusiast, or simply curious about the American experience, these books offer a compelling glimpse into the heart and soul of the USA.

Which Usa book is best?

The best book on Usa can vary with personal preference, but three widely recommended titles are:

• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald ,
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee ,
• The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger .

Each offers valuable insights and could be a great starting point.

What are the best books to learn about Usa?

For those looking to learn about Usa, there is a wealth of literature that can provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject. Some of the most highly recommended books include:

• The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger ,
• Beloved by Toni Morrison ,
• The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain ,
• The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck ,
• Moby-Dick by Herman Melville ,
• The Color Purple by Alice Walker ,
• The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway ,
• Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

These books offer a range of perspectives on Usa, covering various aspects and approaches to the subject.

What are the best books on Usa?

The best books on Usa include:

• The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne ,
• The Great American Novel by Philip Roth ,
• The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck .

Each offers unique insights into the subject. While these books on the topic of Usa are highly regarded, it’s important to note that any list of ‘best’ books is subjective and reflects a range of opinions.

What are the best Usa books of all time?

Choosing the best Usa books of all time can vary depending on who you ask, but seven titles that are often celebrated include

• Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell ,
• and The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne .

Each of these books has made a significant impact in the field of Usa and continues to be influential today.

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The Complete Book of US Presidents, Fourth Edition: Updated for 2021 Hardcover – March 2, 2021

• Print length 272 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Crestline Books
• Publication date March 2, 2021
• Dimensions 9.55 x 1 x 11.15 inches
• ISBN-10 0785839232
• ISBN-13 978-0785839231
• See all details

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Editorial Reviews

About the author.

Bill Yenne is the author of more than three dozen nonfiction books on historical topics. His books on aviation and military history have included Area 51 Black Jets —which T. D. Barmes, formerly with NASA High Range and Area 51 Special Projects, described as “not a book that the reader will lay down and not finish. It holds one’s interest from front to back.” Yenne has also contributed to encyclopedias of World War I and World War II and has been featured in several documentaries that have aired on the History Channel, the National Geographic Channel, the Smithsonian Channel, and ARD German Television. The Wall Street Journal notes that Yenne writes “with a cinematic vividness.” Yenne has also authored ten novels and has penned several books on beer and brewing history.

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Crestline Books; 4th edition (March 2, 2021)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0785839232
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0785839231
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.25 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.55 x 1 x 11.15 inches
• #344 in United States Executive Government
• #652 in US Presidents
• #7,179 in United States History (Books)

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Customer Review: This is a good coffee table read that provides a quick synopsis of each president

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About the author

Bill Yenne is the San Francisco–based author of more than three dozen non-fiction books on a range of topics, as well as several novels. The Wall Street Journal notes that he writes “with a cinematic vividness,” while Walter J. Boyne, the former head of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, has recommended Mr. Yenne’s work, writing, “I can guarantee that you will be engaged by his master storytelling from his opening words to the very last page.”

Mr. Yenne’s work has been selected for the official Chief of Staff of the US Air Force Reading List, and he is the recipient of the Air Force Association’s prestigious Gill Robb Wilson Award for his “most outstanding contribution in the field of arts and letters”

He has contributed to encyclopedias of both world wars, and has been featured in several documentaries which have aired on the History Channel, the National Geographic Channel, the Smithsonian Channel, NHK Japanese Television, and ARD German Television.

General Wesley Clark, US Army (Ret), former Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, called Yenne’s biography of Alexander the Great, the “best yet.” The New Yorker wrote of Mr. Yenne’s biography of the Sitting Bull, that it “excels as a study in leadership.” This book was named to the number 14 spot in Amazon’s “100 Best Books of the Year” when it was released. His dual biography of Dick Bong and Tommy McGuire, Aces High: The Heroic Story of the Two Top-Scoring American Aces of World War II was described by pilot and best-selling author Dan Roam as “the greatest flying story of all time.”

Mr. Yenne has also written extensively about the history of beer and brewing. His book Guinness: The 250 Year Quest for the Perfect Pint, was listed among the top business books of the year by Condé Nast Portfolio Magazine, while the same publication rated the book as its top pick for “Cocktail Conversation.”

Mr. Yenne’s novels have included the Gideon Safford and Bladen Cole Western series, as well as the best-selling an alternate history about General George Patton entitled A Damned Fine War.

He can be found on the web at www.BillYenne.com

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15 Best Travel Books for the USA | Top Picks for 2023

Looking for the best travel books for exploring the USA ? Here are my top picks for 2023 printed travel guides…

Traveling in the USA is a dream for many people because the country offers a diverse array of landscapes, cultures, and experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or you’re embarking on your first adventure, having the right travel guide can make all the difference in ensuring that you make the most of your trip.

A travel guidebook not only offers suggestions for places to see, eat, and stay but also provides travel tips to help you navigate the vast, and sometimes overwhelming, options in the USA. From learning about national parks and regional highlights to understanding the local customs and dining scenes, a good travel guide can be an invaluable companion on your journey.

When choosing a travel guide , it’s essential to consider your specific interests, travel style, and the kind of information you need. Some guides focus on budget travel , while others cater to luxury experiences or adventure seekers. Additionally, the format — print or digital — plays a crucial role in determining how accessible and up-to-date the information is.

After extensive research and testing, I’ve compiled a list of the best travel guides for the USA that cater to various needs, making your trip planning smooth and enjoyable. So, let’s dive in and find the perfect guide for your adventure.

Best Travel Books for USA Road Trips

I have gathered a list of the best travel guides for exploring the magnificent USA. These handy books will help make your journey smooth and unforgettable.

Fodor’s Best Road Trips in the USA

Fodor’s “Best Road Trips in the USA” is a must-have guide for anyone planning epic road trips across the United States.

• Comprehensive coverage of all 50 states
• Full-color, visually appealing guide
• Well-organized, easy-to-follow format
• Some trips may lack details about nearby attractions
• Book size and text size may be small for some readers
• Not spiral-bound, which some users might prefer

I recently used Fodor’s “Best Road Trips in the USA” to plan a memorable journey across the country. This guide did not disappoint because it provided an extensive list of epic trips across all 50 states. The full-color photography and design made it a visually engaging companion throughout my travels.

The organization and format of the book made it easy to explore different routes and plan my stops accordingly. Each trip featured in the guide was well thought out, and I discovered amazing gems that I might have otherwise missed.

However, I did find that some trips in the book could have provided more detailed information on the attractions and landmarks nearby, including national parks . This would have been helpful in making the most of my time on the road.

Moon USA State by State: The Best Things to Do in Every State for Your Travel Bucket List

I highly recommend this travel guide for uncovering the hidden gems of the USA and planning the ultimate bucket list trip.

• Comprehensive and well-organized
• Includes unique and offbeat attractions
• Suitable for travelers with varying interests
• Lacks information on small towns
• Could use more details about accommodations and dining
• Content may not suffice for those seeking exhaustive information about each state

“Moon USA State by State: The Best Things to Do in Every State for Your Travel Bucket List” is a fantastic resource for anyone looking to explore each state in America. I found the guide to be an excellent tool for planning my travels and discovering lesser-known attractions that I wouldn’t have found on my own. It offers a diverse range of suggestions, catering to various interests suitable for all types of travelers.

The guide is well-organized with each state receiving its dedicated section. I found this quite helpful when mapping out my journey and making a list of must-see spots. Additionally, the focus on unique and offbeat attractions really made my exploration feel more personalized and exciting.

However, the book doesn’t delve deeply into smaller towns and may not cater to those looking for comprehensive information about lodging and dining options. While it doesn’t hinder the main goal of offering interesting and lesser-known sites to visit, it could be an area of improvement for future editions.

Lonely Planet Southwest USA’s Best Trips 4 (Road Trips Guide)

I highly recommend this travel guide for an unforgettable road trip experience in the Southwest USA.

• Comprehensive coverage of must-visit attractions
• User-friendly layout and organization
• Engaging writing style
• Maps could be improved
• Limited off-the-beaten-path suggestions
• Slightly heavy for on-the-go carrying

As a seasoned traveler, I find Lonely Planet’s “Southwest USA’s Best Trips” to be an excellent resource for planning the perfect road trip across the scenic landscapes of Southwest USA. The guide offers a wide range of richly detailed itineraries that cater to various interests, ensuring a memorable travel experience that’s tailored to your preferences.

I appreciate the book’s user-friendly organization, with well-labeled sections and logical groupings of attractions. It makes it easy to find the information I need quickly, allowing for smooth navigation and efficient trip planning. The engaging writing style used throughout the book paints a vivid picture of the places to visit, making the whole planning process an enjoyable experience.

However, I found that some of the maps included in the guide could have offered more detail and accuracy. Additionally, if you are someone who enjoys exploring lesser-known places, you may find that the guide’s focus on popular attractions leaves you craving more off-the-beaten-path recommendations.

Despite being packed with valuable information, the guide is slightly on the heavier side, which can be a minor inconvenience when carrying it with you throughout your trip. Nevertheless, I believe Lonely Planet’s “Southwest USA’s Best Trips” is a must-have for anyone planning to embark on an unforgettable journey through the beautiful Southwest USA.

Fodor’s Best Weekend Road Trips (Full-Color Travel Guide)

I recommend Fodor’s “Best Weekend Road Trips” for those looking to explore the USA with concise yet inspiring itineraries.

• Great trip ideas
• Highly readable
• Beautiful full-color presentation
• Lack of detailed information
• Limited local destinations
• Trips may require additional travel days

I found this book to be a fantastic source of inspiration for my USA road trips. The assortment of weekend getaways ranges from scenic drives to city escapes, with each suggestion sparking my wanderlust. Additionally, the full-color images and easy-to-read format make planning these trips a visually appealing experience.

When delving into specific itineraries, I realized that Fodor’s provides a good starting point, but lacks a certain level of detail I’d need for an extensive trip. Some travelers may find this to be a limiting factor while planning their getaways, especially if they want comprehensive information about local destinations.

Additionally, keep in mind that some trips may require you to reach a certain area first, meaning extra travel days might be necessary depending on your starting point. As a well-traveled person, I found that many local areas featured were already familiar to me, but the book was still useful in helping me discover new destinations.

The Rough Guide to the 100 Best Places in the USA

An essential and inspiring guide for travelers exploring the United States, featuring a diverse range of must-see destinations.

• In-depth information regarding diverse locations
• Beautiful and top-quality photographs
• Easy-to-navigate and well-organized layout
• Hardcover and slightly heavy
• Geared toward more popular destinations
• Limited information on local suggestions

Upon receiving “The Rough Guide to the 100 Best Places in the USA,” I was immediately captivated by the stunning images and the vast variety of information covered in this guide. Not only did it have details on the iconic tourist spots, but it also opened my eyes to a plethora of lesser-known gems in the country.

The organization of the book made it quite simple for me to plan my trips as the information was broken down into regions. Each destination had a dedicated section, making it easy to flip through and digest the content quickly. Moreover, the pictures alone were enough to spark my wanderlust, making it exciting for me to plan my upcoming visits.

However, I noticed that the book is a bit on the heavier side, which could be cumbersome to carry around during trips. As much as I loved the comprehensive information on popular tourist attractions, there were instances where I wished it had more recommendations on local insights, like hidden restaurants or lesser-known trails.

The Open Road: 50 Best Road Trips in the USA (Travel Guide)

I believe that traveling enthusiasts should definitely consider purchasing this guidebook as it’s filled with great tips for unforgettable USA road trip adventures.

• Comprehensive coverage of diverse trips
• Provides “best of” lists for various categories
• Easy geographic organization for trip planning
• Small font size might be challenging for some readers
• Some sections may be too brief for in-depth information
• Focus on restaurants and wineries might be unnecessary for some

After exploring this travel guide , I found its comprehensive listing of 50 road trips to be quite inspiring. It covers various destinations, landscapes, and travel times, catering to different preferences and personalities. I truly enjoyed the “best of” lists for categories like scenic routes, quirky attractions, and budget-friendly trips.

The geographic organization of road trips is convenient, especially for those planning journeys around specific regions. While I appreciated the attempt to include a variety of helpful information, the print size was a bit too small for my liking, which made reading less enjoyable.

Interestingly, this travel guide also includes restaurant and winery recommendations. Though it may be helpful for some readers, others might find this information unnecessary for their road trip needs. Personally, I prefer focusing on attractions and natural sites.

Fodor’s Bucket List USA: From the Epic to the Eccentric, 500+ Ultimate Experiences

This travel guide is perfect for those who want a comprehensive and inspiring guide to lesser-known experiences in the USA.

• Wide array of destinations and experiences
• Clear and concise descriptions
• Full-color, visually appealing layout
• Some faulty pages reported regarding print quality
• Smaller format than expected
• May not cover all popular tourist spots

This travel guide has piqued my curiosity and introduced me to an array of places across the country — from epic landscapes to eccentric attractions. The book is organized by region, making it easy to plan my trips and find new destinations I hadn’t considered before.

One of the things I appreciate the most is that this travel guide doesn’t only provide information about famous attractions. It also focuses on lesser-known gems that contribute to a well-rounded and diverse experience. The entries are detailed, and the high-quality images set my expectations before visiting, making them even more exciting when finally at the destination.

However, I must mention that some might find the smaller format somewhat limiting. People with visual challenges or those who prefer larger prints may struggle a bit with this. Additionally, a few fellow reviewers reported issues with the print quality, but my copy was in perfect condition. If you’re looking for a guide with a more extensive list of popular tourist spots, this may not be your top choice.

Lonely Planet USA’s Best Trips

This guide is a must-have for anyone planning a USA road trip, with comprehensive trip ideas and useful information.

• Packed with diverse road trip options
• Covers various regions across the USA
• Includes useful information on places to visit
• Limited details on accommodation and dining options
• Some readers may find the historical perspective unbalanced
• May require additional research or resources for complete planning

I just started using Lonely Planet’s “USA’s Best Trips,” and I’m already in love with the diverse road trip routes it offers. The guide breaks down trips by region, so I can easily find options for the areas I’m most interested in exploring. It’s been an invaluable resource for me to start planning my next adventure.

The information about places to visit along each route is helpful, providing a sense of what each destination has to offer. However, I noticed that the guide is a bit lacking in terms of dining and lodging options. I have to turn to other resources to find places to stay and eat during my journey, which can be a bit inconvenient.

Aside from that, some readers may take issue with the treatment of historical context within the guide. While I appreciate the inclusion of history and cultural information, it’s essential to approach these topics objectively and consider the complexities of the past.

National Geographic Guide to Scenic Highways and Byways, 5th Edition

This guide is a fantastic companion for anyone looking to explore the scenic routes of the United States.

• Comprehensive coverage of 300 scenic drives
• Detailed and easy-to-follow directions
• Durable and high-quality printing
• Smaller size than expected
• Some popular routes may be crowded
• GPS coordinates not included

The National Geographic “Guide to Scenic Highways and Byways, 5th Edition” provides numerous picturesque routes to follow and allows you to discover hidden gems and spectacular places along the way, such as old Route 66. The guide’s durability will easily withstand constant use even if your kids are fighting over who gets to look at it next.

I appreciated the guide’s easy-to-read format and informative descriptions. However, after receiving the book, I noticed its size was significantly smaller than expected. Despite the small size, the high-quality print and beautiful images did not disappoint.

On the other hand, one helpful addition would have been GPS coordinates for the starting and ending points of the scenic routes. And, some of the more popular routes will likely be quite busy with other tourists, which can be both a pro and a con depending on personal preference. If you prefer less crowded routes, check out alternative scenic drives.

Best Travel Guides for Visiting US National Parks

If you’re looking to explore US national parks, these travel guides will help you plan a more in-depth trip and expose you to options you might miss in some of the less detailed travel books.

Moon Best of Yellowstone & Grand Teton: Make the Most of One to Three Days in the Parks

Another winner from Moon Publishing, this is a must-have guide for an unforgettable experience in the Yellowstone and Grand Teton parks.

• Comprehensive and practical information
• Customized plans for various time frames
• Excellent advice on hikes and wildlife viewing
• Can be overwhelming with too many options
• Not enough visuals and maps
• May need supplement material for in-depth research

I particularly appreciated the variety of suggested itineraries presented in Moon’s “Best of Yellowstone & Grand Teton: Make the Most of One to Three Days in the Parks,” catering to different durations and interests.

Whether you have half a day or several days to spend in each park, the guide provides useful recommendations on what to see, when to visit, and which trails to hike. The author’s favorite hikes were spot on as they offered stunning views and memorable experiences.

Despite its many advantages, I did notice a few areas where the guide could improve. While the content was abundant and well-written, the lack of visuals and maps occasionally made it challenging to navigate and locate specific points of interest. In this regard, you might want to consult additional resources for more detailed geographical information.

Also, it’s worth mentioning that the guide is so packed with options that it can be overwhelming. You might find yourself struggling to prioritize which activities to pursue. Nevertheless, this is arguably a small issue compared to the overall value the book provides.

Fodor’s The Complete Guide to the National Parks of the West

This travel guide is an essential companion for exploring the National Parks of the West thoroughly yet concisely.

• Comprehensive coverage of 38 western national parks
• Includes helpful itinerary suggestions
• Useful information on nearby towns for amenities and lodging
• Alphabetical organization instead of regional
• Lacks in-depth details for some parks

This book serves as a reliable source of information because it covers a whopping 38 parks, providing insightful suggestions on what to see and do within each one. It not only comes with recommendations for main attractions but also includes guidance for accommodations, dining, and supplies in nearby towns.

What I found less helpful, however, was the way the book was organized. The parks were listed alphabetically rather than regionally, making it slightly inconvenient to plan an efficient road trip. Additionally, I found that information on some of the parks was relatively basic and lacking in comprehensive details.

Best USA Destination Travel Guide Books

Sometimes, you’re not looking to explore the entire US but just a specific destination. These are a few of my favorite USA destination-specific travel guidebooks, all of which are available to purchase on Amazon.

Fodor’s California: With the Best Road Trips (Full-Color Travel Guide)

Fodor’s “California” is a comprehensive and colorful guide that’s perfect for those planning a road trip across the Golden State.

• Great variety of destinations and road trips
• Useful tips on dining and accommodation options
• Well-organized and user-friendly layout
• Lacks images of some attractions
• Missing information on some iconic places
• Physical book could be difficult to navigate

I found Fodor’s “California” to be a valuable resource for exploring different regions and planning memorable road trips. It features a wide range of attractions, accommodations, and dining options, allowing me to discover hidden gems and make the most of my trip.

However, I noticed that the guide lacks images of some attractions, which would have been helpful for visualizing destinations before visiting. In addition, the book omits information on some notable locations, such as the Reagan Library, Nixon Library, and La Brea Tar Pits, making it slightly incomplete for those interested in these specific landmarks.

While planning a future adventure, I appreciated the well-organized layout and user-friendly format. The inclusion of interesting facts and local insights added a personal touch to the experience, making me feel like I was part of the Californian culture.

On the downside, the physical book can be a bit challenging to navigate, especially because of its small print and inability to lay flat. An e-book option or a larger print edition would be welcome for travelers who may have difficulty reading small text.

Fodor’s Boston 25 Best (Full-Color Travel Guide)

This travel guide is a must-have for anyone planning to explore Boston for the first time or anyone who is rediscovering the city’s hidden gems.

• Comprehensive and well-written
• Compact and lightweight
• 128 pages of valuable information
• Limited to 25 best places
• Lacks detailed information about lesser-known spots
• May not cover recent changes in the city

Fodor’s “25 Best Boston” focuses on the 25 best places to visit in the city, making it a great resource for first-time visitors. The descriptions of each location are comprehensive and well-written, providing engaging insights into the history, significance, and atmosphere of each attraction.

The compact size and lightweight design of the guide made it easy to carry around as I traversed Boston’s historic streets. The 128 pages of valuable information ensured that I maximized my limited time in the city, visiting the top attractions and having unforgettable experiences.

However, I must admit that the guide has a few limitations. Since it is primarily centered around the 25 best places in Boston, it lacks detailed information on lesser-known spots that might be of interest to seasoned travelers or those interested in niche attractions.

Additionally, given that the book’s publication date is back in 2018, there might be updates or changes in the city that the guide doesn’t cover.

Fodor’s Pacific Northwest

Fodor’s “Pacific Northwest” is a comprehensive guide for travelers looking to explore the beautiful landscapes and cities of the Pacific Northwest.

• Up-to-date information and reviews
• Covers major attractions in the region
• Full-color, high-quality photos
• Poor bookbinding and print quality
• Lacks coverage of some key destinations
• Maps could use more detail

As I recently planned a trip to the Pacific Northwest, I found Fodor’s “Pacific Northwest” guide to be a helpful companion. From exploring Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver to discovering the charm of small towns and the beauty of Oregon and Washington, this well-rounded guide came in handy.

The book is filled with up-to-date information and insightful reviews of attractions, accommodations, and dining options throughout the region. The full-color and high-quality photos were visually appealing, providing a glimpse into what to expect in each destination. I genuinely appreciated the coverage of major attractions, such as Crater Lake National Park and Pike Place Market.

However, as much as I enjoyed using the guide, I was disappointed by its binding and print quality. It was difficult to read content near the bind, and the photos weren’t as sharp as the older Fodor’s guides that I’ve used in the past.

Plus, I felt that the guide could have covered a few more key destinations in the region, making it more comprehensive. Lastly, while the maps were helpful, they lacked the detail I needed to navigate some areas precisely.

Fodor’s Essential Southwest

This is a comprehensive guide for exploring the best of the Southwest in the US, but keep in mind its older publication date requires double-checking all the details before making plans.

• Extensive coverage of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah
• Full-color illustrations and maps
• Thorough descriptions of natural sites and scenic drives
• Publication date means it may not have up-to-date details
• Some users reported missing pages in their copies
• Paper quality may not be as high as in previous Fodor’s guides

After recently using Fodor’s “Essential Southwest” for my journey through the American Southwest, I found it to be quite informative and valuable. The guide covers a vast region, including Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah, which allowed me to plan my trip efficiently.

I particularly enjoyed the full-color illustrations and maps included in the guide. They not only provided an excellent visual aid but also helped me get a better sense of the areas I was visiting. Additionally, the book offers thorough descriptions of natural sites, scenic drives, and various activities, which helped me maximize my time at each destination.

One downside, however, is that the 2021 publication date means that certain information may not accurately reflect the current state of things, such as open restaurants and hotels. I would recommend double-checking all details before making plans to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Another issue some users encountered was missing pages in their copies. Though I did not personally experience this, it is something to be aware of when purchasing. Lastly, the paper quality seems to be lower compared to previous editions of Fodor’s guides. While this did not impact my overall experience, it might be a point of consideration for some travelers.

Best Travel Books Buying Guide

Remember that investing time in researching and comparing different travel guides will pay off in making your USA journey a memorable one. When I’m choosing the best travel guidebook for the USA, there are several features I look for to ensure that I’m getting the most accurate and helpful information.

1. Updated Information

Since landscapes, businesses, and attractions can change over time, I make sure the guide is updated regularly. This helps me avoid outdated information that might lead to schedule disruptions or disappointments. Always look for the most recent edition available.

2. Comprehensive Coverage

The USA is a vast country with diverse attractions. Hence, the travel guide should cover all aspects of tourism — various destinations, accommodation options, transportation, experiences, and local culture. It should have ample information to cater to different budgets and preferences too.

3. User Friendliness

A well-organized travel guide makes my planning process much smoother. Guides with clear headings, indexes, maps, and concise information are my preference. Moreover, the inclusion of an eBook version or a mobile app can help me carry the information on the go.

4. Travel Tips & Advice

A good travel guide offers practical tips and advice that’ll reward me with a better travel experience. This may include packing suggestions, local customs and etiquette, safety precautions, and essential phrases or words to know.

5. Reviews & Recommendations

Ultimately, a helpful travel guide will have reviews and recommendations from other travelers. Their insights can shed light on the pros and cons of specific attractions or accommodations. Consider guides that list reader feedback alongside expert opinions.

FAQs About the Best Travel Books for the USA

What are some famous travel guidebooks for the usa.

I always recommend a few well-known US travel book publishers. Some of my personal favorites are Lonely Planet, Fodor’s, Rick Steves, and Frommer’s. Each of these publishers covers a wide range of destinations, itineraries, and tips for every type of traveler looking to explore the US.

Which US travel guides are best for first-time visitors?

If you’re a first-time visitor to the US, I suggest starting with Lonely Planet or Fodor’s travel guides. Both of these are very comprehensive and beginner-friendly, offering clear and concise information on planning your trip, popular attractions, and local customs.

For a budget-conscious traveler, Rick Steves tends to focus on affordable options, while Frommer’s is great for people interested in a luxurious experience.

Are there any free travel guide resources for the US?

Absolutely! There are many free resources for you to explore before your trip to the US. Websites like RootedWanderings.com can provide helpful information about different destinations, attractions, and itineraries.

Additionally, many US states and cities have tourism websites that offer free guides and maps. VisitMaine.net is the unofficial visitor’s guide to Maine, and AwesomeMitten.com helps travelers plan their adventures in Michigan. Other examples include RootedinOhio.com and WanderingSmokyMountains.com .

To find these, simply search for the city name along with “visitor’s guide” or “tourism office” for access to those resources. Happy travels!

Ashley Pichea is the Content Manager for RootedWanderings.com and curates in-depth travel guides and deep-dives on hidden gem destinations across the US for sites like AwesomeMitten.com , VisitMaine.net , and more. When she's not geeking out over SEO, you'll find her exploring the Midwest with her husband and five kids.

11 Children’s Books That Traverse the United States

By dena mcmurdie.

My family has a giant map of the United States on our wall covered with stickers indicating all the places we’ve lived or visited. Each time we go somewhere new, we add more stickers to our map. We’ve explored everything from the towering high-rises of big cities to flat expanses of plains. The vast American landscape is like nothing else.

Whether we’re hitting the road or sticking close to home, having picture books and activities on hand is a great way to keep the adventure going. Here are eleven books that celebrate the sights, history, and people of the U.S.A.

Baby's First United States

Give your baby a crash course in American culture, history, and landmarks with this exciting board book. With bright colors, fun photos, and facts about animals and places, this book is the perfect way to introduce tiny readers to the land they call home. (Ages 0 – 3)

Planes USA!

by Jo Parker, illustrated by Tara J. Hannon

Explore 12 major cities in the United States with these high-flying friends! Adorable four-legged friends will take you from coast to coast, with sightseeing stops along the way in this cloud-shaped board book. (Ages 0 – 3)

Blue Sky White Stars

by Sarvinder Naberhaus, illustrated by Kadir Nelson

This stunning book will make your heart swell with pride as you explore the people, history, and landscape of America. With gorgeous illustrations and spare but powerful text, this book is a celebration of our incredible country. (Ages 4 – 8)

Mr. Men Road Trip!

by Adam Hargreaves

Little Miss wants to go on a road trip across America, so she buys an RV and packs it full of her friends. The crew hits up the Statue of Liberty, Hollywood, and everything in between. Kids and parents that love Mr. Men and Little Miss will enjoy this literary expedition. (Ages 3 – 7)

Sticker Encyclopedia Around the United States of America

If your child loves to peel and stick, this encyclopedia is a must-have! With over 600 stickers, activities, and facts about the United States to explore, they’ll stay happy and busy with this hands-on book. It’s perfect for road trips, travel, or as a boredom buster at home. (Ages 5 – 7)

50 States Activity Book

For hours of educational fun, you can’t go wrong with the 50 States Activity Book . Learn about each state in this big, beautiful country — from Maine to California. Kids will learn fun facts and key information about what makes each state special while completing fun challenges along the way. (Ages 5 – 7)

Amazing 50 State Maze Book

by Scott Sullivan

If your kid likes puzzles, then they’ll love this book of intricate mazes. Armed with a pencil and a sense of adventure, your child can travel through each state, starting at the state capital and ending at a major city. (Ages 5 – 7)

Someone Builds the Dream

by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by Loren Long

Celebrate the skilled tradespeople who turn dreams into reality. It takes hard-working people with passion and expertise to design and construct buildings, bridges, farms, and factories. This gorgeous picture book in verse honors laborers across the United States and the world. (Ages 5 – 8)

How to Make a Cherry Pie and See the U.S.A.

by Marjorie Priceman

A little girl wants to make a cherry pie but lacks the necessary baking equipment, so she heads out on a cross-country trip to gather raw materials. Readers will see the sights of the United States while learning about our natural resources and how they’re used. (Ages 5 – 8)

A Chip Off the Old Block

by Jody Jensen Shaffer, illustrated by Daniel Miyares

Rocky goes on a cross-country trip to visit his rock relatives. From famous formations to iconic monuments, Rocky sees the geological sights of the United States in this delightful, inspirational, and pun-filled picture book. (Ages 5 – 8)

Vacation Fun Mad Libs

by Roger Price

Fill in the blanks to create your own wacky and hilarious vacation-themed stories. This little book provides screen-free entertainment to keep your kids’ hands and minds busy during road trips and plane rides. (Ages 8 – 12)

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2018 and updated in 2021.

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Florida had more books challenged for removal than any other state in 2023, library organization says

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida had more books challenged for removal than any other state last year as book bans and attempted book bans reached the "highest levels ever documented," according to a leading librarian group.

Nearly 2,700 titles were targeted for restriction or removal in Florida schools and public libraries in 2023, according to data released by the American Library Association in March. That's 1,200 more than the state with the second-most challenges, Texas.

Since 2021, the United States has seen an escalation in book bans and attempted bans . The ALA documented 4,240 works in schools and public libraries targeted in 2023 — breaking the previous record set in 2022 when 2,571 books were targeted for censorship.

Though the ALA emphasized that its data provides a snapshot, which only includes challenges found in news reports and reported to the organization by librarians, the data shows the far-reaching effects of laws signed by Republican lawmakers.

The surge in book challenges has been "supercharged" by recent state laws that determine the types of books that can be in schools and policies schools have to follow to add new books to their collections, according to the free speech advocacy group PEN America.

Check out: USA TODAY's weekly Best-selling Booklist

In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis and lawmakers have passed measures aimed at targeting "inappropriate" books in schools. State officials have argued in federal court cases that school officials have the First Amendment right to remove books for any reason.

The governor and other conservatives have taken issue with the "book ban" terminology, calling it a "hoax." But DeSantis recently called for limits on how many books the public can challenge in schools. His office said he wants the state Legislature "to enact policies limiting ... bad-faith objections made by those who don’t have children learning in Florida."

More than 100 books targeted in 17 states

School districts have interpreted state laws in wildly varying ways, leading some to pull hundreds of titles out of fear of potential penalties, and others to pull none.

The ALA said there were attempts to censor more than 100 books in 17 states last year. The states with the most book challenges were Florida, Texas, Kentucky, Wisconsin, and Virginia. PEN America also ranked Florida No. 1 in book bans last year.

While the ALA says nearly 2,700 books have been targeted in Florida, it reported that the state saw only 33 of what it called "attempts to restrict access to books." Meanwhile, California saw 52 attempts but those attempts targeted less than 100 books.

"What we are seeing are groups and individuals demanding the censorship of multiple titles, often a list of dozens or hundreds at one time," said Raymond Garcia, communications specialist for the ALA, in an email explaining Florida's numbers. "That one instance is considered a challenge."

Book challenges primarily targeted works written by authors of color or members of the LGBTQ+ community, according to the ALA. In 2023, books "representing the voices and lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals made up 47% of those targeted in censorship attempts," the ALA said.

'It’s an act of resistance:' Groups ramp up efforts in the fight to stop book bans

'Preserve our right to choose what we read'

The ALA described itself as "the oldest and largest library association in the world." The group helps train librarians and fund libraries across the country.

But Florida and other conservative states have recently cut ties with the group and its local chapters, which have been outspoken against the rising number of book removals.

“The reports from librarians and educators in the field make it clear that the organized campaigns to ban books aren’t over, and that we must all stand together to preserve our right to choose what we read,” said Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, in a statement about the 2023 data.

In response to the increase in book challenges, the ALA said it launched "Unite Against Book Bans," a national initiative to "empower readers everywhere to stand together in the fight against censorship."

The initiative noted that while book challenges have surged nationwide, 71% of voters oppose efforts to remove books from public libraries and 67% oppose book challenges in school libraries.

This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. USA TODAY Network-Florida First Amendment reporter Douglas Soule can be reached at  [email protected] .

Trump promotes Lee Greenwood's 'God Bless The USA Bible': What to know about the book and its long journey

• Former president Donald Trump encourages supporters to buy Lee Greenwood's "God Bless The USA Bible," a project inspired by Nashville country musician's hit song.
• Resurgent version of Greenwood's Bible project a modified version from original concept, a change that likely followed 2021 shake-up in publishers.

After years with few updates about Lee Greenwood’s controversial Bible, the project is again resurgent with a recent promotion by former President Donald Trump.

“All Americans need to have a Bible in their home and I have many. It’s my favorite book,” Trump said in a video posted to social media Tuesday, encouraging supporters to purchase the “God Bless The USA Bible.” “Religion is so important and so missing, but it’s going to come back.”

Greenwood — the Nashville area country musician whose hit song “God Bless the USA” inspired the Bible with a similar namesake — has long been allies with Trump and other prominent Republicans, many of whom are featured in promotional material for the “God Bless The USA Bible.” But that reputational clout in conservative circles hasn’t necessarily translated to business success in the past, largely due to a major change in the book’s publishing plan.

Here's what to know about the Bible project’s journey so far and why it’s significant it’s back in the conservative limelight.

An unordinary Bible, a fiery debate

The “God Bless The USA Bible” received heightened attention since the outset due to its overt political features.

The text includes the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, Pledge of Allegiance, and the lyrics to the chorus to Greenwood’s “God Bless The USA.” Critics saw it as a symbol of Christian nationalism, a right-wing movement that believes the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation.

A petition emerged in 2021 calling Greenwood’s Bible “a toxic mix that will exacerbate the challenges to American evangelicalism.” From there, a broader conversation ensued about the standards by which publishers print Bibles.

Gatekeeping in Bible publishing

Greenwood’s early business partner on the project, a Hermitage-based marketing firm called Elite Source Pro, initially reached a manufacturing agreement with the Nashville-based HarperCollins Christian Publishing to print the “God Bless The USA Bible.”  

As part of that agreement, HarperCollins would publish the book but not sell or endorse it. But then HarperCollins reversed course , a major setback for Greenwood’s Bible.

The reversal by HarperCollins followed a decision by Zondervan — a publishing group under HarperCollins Christian Publishing and an official North American licensor for Bibles printed in the New International Version translation — to pass on the project. HarperCollins said the decision was unrelated to the petition or other public denunciations against Greenwood’s Bible.

The full backstory: Lee Greenwood's 'God Bless the USA Bible' finds new printer after HarperCollins Christian passes

A new translation and mystery publisher

The resurgent “God Bless The USA Bible” featured in Trump’s recent ad is an altered version of the original concept, a modification that likely followed the publishing shake-up.

Greenwood’s Bible is now printed in the King James Version, a different translation from the original pitch to HarperCollins.

Perhaps the biggest mystery is the new publisher. That manufacturer is producing a limited quantity of copies, leading to a delayed four-to-six weeks for a copy to ship.  

It’s also unclear which business partners are still involved in the project. Hugh Kirkman, who led Elite Service Pro, the firm that originally partnered with Greenwood for the project, responded to a request for comment by referring media inquiries to Greenwood’s publicist.

The publicist said Elite Source Pro is not a partner on the project and the Bible has always been printed in the King James Version.

"Several years ago, the Bible was going to be printed with the NIV translation, but something happened with the then licensor and the then potential publisher. As a result, this God Bless The USA Bible has always been printed with the King James Version translation," publicist Jeremy Westby said in a statement.

Westby did not have the name of the new licensee who is manufacturing the Bible.

Trump’s plug for the “God Bless The USA Bible” recycled language the former president is using to appeal to a conservative Christian base.

“Our founding fathers did a tremendous thing when they built America on Judeo-Christian values,” Trump said in his video on social media. “Now that foundation is under attack perhaps as never before.”

'Bring back our religion’: Trump vows to support Christians during Nashville speech

Liam Adams covers religion for The Tennessean. Reach him at [email protected] or on social media @liamsadams.

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Trump’s Newest Venture? A $60 Bible.

His Bible sales pitch comes as he appears to be confronting a significant financial squeeze, with his legal fees growing while he fights a number of criminal cases and lawsuits.

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By Michael Gold and Maggie Haberman

• March 26, 2024

Before he turned to politics, former President Donald J. Trump lent his star power and celebrity endorsement to a slew of consumer products — steaks, vodka and even for-profit education, to name just a few.

On Tuesday, Mr. Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, added a new item to the list: a $60 Bible.

Days before Easter, Mr. Trump posted a video on his social media platform in which he encouraged his supporters to buy the “God Bless the USA Bible,” named after the ballad by the country singer Lee Greenwood, which Mr. Trump plays as he takes the stage at his rallies.

“All Americans need a Bible in their home, and I have many. It’s my favorite book,” said Mr. Trump, who before entering politics was not overtly religious and who notably stumbled while referencing a book of the Bible during his 2016 campaign. “It’s a lot of people’s favorite book.”

Though Mr. Trump is not selling the Bible, he is getting royalties from purchases, according to a person familiar with the details of the business arrangement.

Priced at $59.99, plus shipping and tax, the “God Bless the USA Bible” includes a King James Bible and a handwritten version of the chorus of Mr. Greenwood’s song, and copies of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence and the Pledge of Allegiance.

In his video, Mr. Trump expressed his approval of the book’s blend of theology with foundational American political documents, framing that mix as central to the political call that has been his longtime campaign slogan, Make America Great Again.

“Religion and Christianity are the biggest things missing from this country,” Mr. Trump said. Later, he added, “We must make America pray again.”

As he runs for president this year, Mr. Trump has framed his campaign as a crusade to defend Christian values from the left. He often makes false or misleading claims that Democrats are persecuting Christians. Last month, he told a religious media convention that Democrats wanted to “tear down crosses.”

His Bible sales pitch comes as he appears to be confronting a significant financial squeeze. With his legal fees growing while he fights four criminal cases and a number of civil lawsuits, Mr. Trump is also being required to post a $175 million bond while he appeals his New York civil fraud case — a hefty amount, though one that is significantly smaller than the $454 million penalty imposed in the case.

According to the Bible’s website, Mr. Trump’s “name, likeness and image” are being used “under paid license from CIC Ventures LLC.”

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to questions about the business arrangement. But CIC Ventures is also connected to another product Mr. Trump has hawked while campaigning: $399 “Never Surrender” sneakers that he announced at a sneaker convention in Philadelphia last month.

Michael Gold is a political correspondent for The Times covering the campaigns of Donald J. Trump and other candidates in the 2024 presidential elections. More about Michael Gold

Maggie Haberman is a senior political correspondent reporting on the 2024 presidential campaign, down ballot races across the country and the investigations into former President Donald J. Trump. More about Maggie Haberman

Our Coverage of the 2024 Elections

Presidential Race

Donald Trump, who ends many of his rallies with a churchlike ritual, has infused his movement with Christianity .

Trump posted a video to his social media website that features an image of President Biden with his hands and feet tied together .

A campaign event intending to galvanize support among organized labor and Latino voters behind Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s bid instead drew condemnation from the family of the labor organizer Cesar Chavez .

Other Key Races

Tammy Murphy, New Jersey’s first lady, abruptly ended her bid for U.S. Senate, a campaign flop that reflected intense national frustration with politics as usual .

Kari Lake, a Trump acolyte running for Senate in Arizona, is struggling to walk away from the controversial positions  that have turned off independents and alienated establishment Republicans.

Ohio will almost certainly go for Trump this November. Senator Sherrod Brown, the last Democrat holding statewide office, will need to defy the gravity of the presidential contest  to win a fourth term.

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Trump is selling ‘God Bless the USA’ Bibles for $59.99 as he faces mounting legal bills

Former President Donald Trump, now the presumptive 2024 Republican nominee, released a video on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday urging supporters to buy the “God Bless the USA Bible,” inspired by country singer Lee Greenwood’s patriotic ballad.

FILE - President Donald Trump holds a Bible as he visits outside St. John’s Church across Lafayette Park from the White House, June 1, 2020, in Washington. Trump is now selling Bibles as he runs to return to the White House. The presumptive Republican nominee released a video on his Truth Social platform Tuesday urging his supporters to purchase the “God Bless The USA Bible.” (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

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NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Donald Trump is now selling Bibles as he runs to return to the White House.

Trump, who became the presumptive Republican nominee earlier this month, released a video on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday urging his supporters to buy the “God Bless the USA Bible,” which is inspired by country singer Lee Greenwood’s patriotic ballad. Trump takes the stage to the song at each of his rallies and has appeared with Greenwood at events.

“Happy Holy Week! Let’s Make America Pray Again. As we lead into Good Friday and Easter, I encourage you to get a copy of the God Bless the USA Bible,” Trump wrote, directing his supporters to a website selling the book for $59.99.

The effort comes as Trump has faced a serious money crunch amid mounting legal bills while he fights four criminal indictments along with a series of civil charges. Trump was given a reprieve Monday when a New York appeals court agreed to hold off on collecting the more than $454 million he owes following a civil fraud judgment if he puts up $175 million within 10 days. Trump has already posted a $92 million bond in connection with defamation cases brought by the writer E. Jean Carroll , who accused Trump of sexual assault.

“All Americans need a Bible in their home, and I have many. It’s my favorite book,” Trump said in the video posted on Truth Social. “I’m proud to endorse and encourage you to get this Bible. We must make America pray again.”

Billing itself as “the only Bible endorsed by President Trump!” the new venture’s website calls it “Easy-to-read” with “large print” and a “slim design” that “invites you to explore God’s Word anywhere, any time.”

Besides a King James Version translation, it includes copies of the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence and the Pledge of Allegiance, as well as a handwritten chorus of the famous Greenwood song.

The Bible is just the latest commercial venture that Trump has pursued while campaigning.

Last month, he debuted a new line of Trump-branded sneakers , including $399 gold “Never Surrender High-Tops,” at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia. The venture behind the shoes, 45Footwear, also sells other Trump-branded footwear, cologne and perfume.

Trump has also dabbled in NFTs, or nonfungible tokens, and last year reported earning between $100,000 and $1 million from a series of digital trading cards that portrayed him in cartoon-like images, including as an astronaut, a cowboy and a superhero.

Donald Trump is facing four criminal indictments, and a civil lawsuit. You can track all of the cases here .

He has also released books featuring photos of his time in office and letters written to him through the years.

The Bible’s website states the product “is not political and has nothing to do with any political campaign.”

“GodBlessTheUSABible.com is not owned, managed or controlled by Donald J. Trump, The Trump Organization, CIC Ventures LLC or any of their respective principals or affiliates,” it says.

Instead, it says, “GodBlessTheUSABible.com uses Donald J. Trump’s name, likeness and image under paid license from CIC Ventures LLC, which license may be terminated or revoked according to its terms.”

CIC Ventures LLC, a company that Trump reported owning in his 2023 financial disclosure, has a similar arrangement with 45Footwear, which also says it uses Trump’s “name, likeness and image under paid license from CIC Ventures LLC, which license may be terminated or revoked according to its terms.”

A Trump spokesperson and God Bless the USA Bible did not immediately respond to questions about how much Trump was paid for the licensing deal or stands to make from each book sale.

Trump remains deeply popular with white evangelical Christians , who are among his most ardent supporters, even though the thrice-married former reality TV star has a long history of behavior that often seemed at odds with teachings espoused by Christ in the Gospels.

When he was running in 2016, Trump raised eyebrows when he cited “Two Corinthians” at Liberty University, instead of the standard “Second Corinthians.”

When asked to share his favorite Bible verse in an interview with Bloomberg Politics in 2015, he demurred.

“I wouldn’t want to get into it. Because to me, that’s very personal,” he said. “The Bible means a lot to me, but I don’t want to get into specifics.”

When he was president, law enforcement officers aggressively removed racial justice protesters from a park near the White House, allowing Trump to walk to nearby St. John’s Church, where he stood alone and raised a Bible. The scene was condemned at the time by the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington.

Before he ran for office, Trump famously hawked everything from frozen steaks to vodka to a venture named Trump University, which was later sued for fraud .

Bills targeting book bans raise concerns about the penalties libraries could face

Bills against book bans are gaining traction in state legislatures around the country — and with them have come worries about the potentially negative impact on libraries themselves.

The number of banned books across the country saw an almost two-thirds increase in 2023 from the previous year, to more than 4,200 titles, according to a new report from the American Library Association . The free speech advocacy group PEN America found that last school year, about 30% of the book titles being challenged in schools included characters of color or discussed race and racism, while another 30% presented LGBTQ characters or themes. In addition, almost half the banned books featured themes or instances of violence or physical abuse, and a third contained writing on sexual experiences between characters.

The rise in book bans has prompted lawmakers to push back with bills in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and New Mexico. They follow Illinois and California, where such legislation has been signed into law.

Experts are raising concerns, however, as some of the legislation would fine school districts or withhold library funding if their provisions are not followed, such as in Illinois and California. The enforcement measures could especially be a threat to public schools and libraries that are underfunded and understaffed, they say.

“It always is a concern when you put funding on the line for any reason,” said Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom.

“We would not want to see bills that are overly prescriptive that make it difficult for smaller communities or rural communities to receive their funding."

She added, "Our big concern is not creating a system that would make it so onerous to comply with the bill that it makes it difficult for libraries with fewer resources."

Budgetary constraints also can give rise to circumstances that could be misread as violations of state laws, experts say. For example, titles may be removed or go missing from the shelves of schools or public libraries when the books are damaged or lost or there’s no money in the budget to purchase them. Personnel shortages also can prevent libraries from staffing panels that review books or instructional materials for approval or disapproval. Some experts argued that such problems could be unfairly weaponized against schools or public libraries, which have experienced increased criticism and scrutiny as part of the growing movement to ban books.

Illinois’ new law requires that state libraries adopt the American Library Association’s long-standing Library Bill of Rights, which says that reading materials cannot be banned, removed or restricted due to "partisan or doctrinal disapproval," or, alternatively, a similar statement prohibiting the banning of books. If public libraries don’t adopt such guidelines, they become ineligible for state grant money, which makes up a substantial part of their budgets.

When asked about the concerns over the law, Illinois state Sen. Laura Murphy, a Democrat who co-sponsored the measure, said in a statement to NBC News that by adding the threat to funding to the legislation, lawmakers were "intentional in establishing a mechanism to hold libraries accountable and sending a clear message that there would be a recourse for those who seek to ban books."

She added that the law's enforcement gave it more of a backbone and was a way to "further demonstrate our support for librarians” who back efforts to keep an inclusive range of book titles available.

Emily Knox, an associate professor in the School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, said that she believes connecting funding to Illinois’ bill is necessary for its effectiveness.

“That’s what gives the bill any teeth at all,” she said. “Libraries and schools need more money, but because funding is so precious to public institutions, you don’t want to do things that jeopardize the possibility of getting funding from a source like the state. So it does make a big difference.”

Knox said claims that the funding could be weaponized against libraries in the state if they are targeted for not having certain titles on the shelf are inaccurate based on the wording of the legislation.

“The bill says that [libraries] have to support the ALA Bill of Rights and have a process in place for reconsidering books. It doesn’t say what the outcome of that process is,” she said.

Since the Illinois bill just mandates the policy to taken up by libraries, rather than specifying what specific books should or shouldn't be on the shelves, libraries can’t be targeted for lacking book titles, Knox said.

And the law is already proving effective, she said, noting that the director of the public library in Metropolis, Illinois, was dismissed last month in part for challenging the library board’s decision to conform to the state’s law and adopt the ALA Bill of Rights, which the board said was necessary to do in order to receive state grants that the library needs.

California’s law focuses on penalizing school districts if books are determined to have been rejected from their library shelves for discriminatory reasons, which would result in financial penalties from the state Education Department. Gov. Gavin Newsom said the law aims to protect access to books which “reflect the diverse experiences and perspectives of Californians.”

Caldwell-Stone warned that in a national environment in which librarians face growing criticism about the types of books they provide, laws against book bans must consider the potential pitfalls and burdens on library staff.

Some state lawmakers have reconsidered the inclusion of financial penalties for libraries in their bills amid the fears of unintended consequences. In New Jersey, legislators dropped that language from their bill after librarians expressed concerns.

State Sen. Andrew Zwicker, a Democrat who sponsored the b ill , said that he grew concerned about the potential impact of such penalties after hearing from several librarians about the criticism and scrutiny they've received amid the increasing challenges to various book titles.

Washington and Oregon have advanced legislation against book bans that focus on school districts, but neither includes fines like California's law. Washington’s bill is waiting for Gov. Jay Inslee’s expected signature, and Oregon’s measure has been passed by the state Senate.

Both bills would prohibit the exclusion of instructional materials for including information on the role or contributions of individuals and groups protected from discrimination based on race, religion, sexual orientation and other characteristics.

Washington state Rep. Monica Stonier and Oregon state Sen. Lew Frederick, Democrats who introduced their respective bills, explained that their measures would simply enact vetting processes for books that are already being used in school districts across the state, unifying those district protocols while adding anti-discriminatory protections.

Lawmakers in support of the laws in Washington and Oregon say that they plan to see how California’s enforcement provisions play out before considering adding a fine to their bills.

“We already have a way to do this, there doesn’t seem to be a need to set up another one,” Frederick said. “I think this is a simple approach because it just says you can’t discriminate."

Kyla Guilfoil is an intern for NBC News Digital Politics.

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Book of Donald: Trump hawks special ‘God Bless the USA’ Bibles for $60

Former president sells Trump-endorsed Bible in concert with Lee Greenwood, country singer whose music is played at his rallies

Patriotic, prayerful and rightwing Americans are being offered the chance to purchase – for a mere $59.99 – a Bible endorsed by Donald Trump , in the latest example of the former US president touting wares to the American public.

In a post to his Truth Social platform on Tuesday, the current presumptive Republican nominee and 88-times charged criminal defendant said : “Happy Holy Week! Let’s Make America Pray Again. As we lead into Good Friday and Easter, I encourage you to get a copy of the God Bless the USA Bible.”

In an accompanying video message, Trump said : “I’m proud to be partnering with my very good friend Lee Greenwood – who doesn’t love his song God Bless the USA? – in connection with promoting the God Bless the USA Bible.”

Greenwood, a country singer whose signature tune is played at Trump rallies, is offering the Bibles for sale through a website, GodBlessTheUSABible.com.

The site features a picture of Trump smiling broadly and holding a Bible in front of his red-and-white-striped club tie. The cover of the Bible is embossed with the words “Holy Bible” and “God Bless the USA” and a design based on the US flag.

Greenwood’s website says the Bible is the only one endorsed by Trump, counsels buyers on what to do if their Bible has “sticky pages”, and answers the important question on many peoples’ minds: “Is any of the money from this Bible going to the Donald J Trump campaign for president?”

“No,” the site says. “GodBlessTheUSABible.com is not political and has nothing to do with any political campaign. GodBlessTheUSABible.com is not owned, managed or controlled by Donald J Trump, the Trump Organization, CIC Ventures LLC or any of their respective principals or affiliates.

“GodBlessTheUSABible.com uses Donald J Trump’s name, likeness and image under paid license from CIC Ventures LLC, which license may be terminated or revoked according to its terms.”

CIC Ventures was established in 2021 by a former Trump aide and a Trump-linked lawyer in Palm Beach, Florida, where Trump has lived since leaving power. Its principal address is that of Trump International Golf Club. The company has also been involved in Trump-themed money making schemes including digital training cards and gold sneakers.

Given Trump’s status as a thrice-married legally adjudicated rapist and billionaire New York property magnate nonetheless dependent on evangelical Christian support , his true relationship with and knowledge of the Bible has long been a subject of speculation.

In June 2020, towards the end of his presidency, he memorably marched out of the White House, across a square violently cleared of protesters for racial justice, and posed outside the historic St John’s church while holding a Bible in the air.

A reporter asked: “Is that your Bible?”

Trump said: “It’s a Bible.”

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In his video on Tuesday, Trump said: “Religion and Christianity are the biggest things missing from this country and I truly believe that we need to bring them back and we have to bring them back fast. I think it’s one of the biggest problems we have. That’s why our country is going haywire. We’ve lost religion in our country. All Americans need a Bible in their home, and I have many.”

In response, Gregory Minchak, of the anti-Trump Lincoln Project, commented : “There’s not a cross nor a picture of Jesus on the page, but plenty of photos of Trump. Who do you think this $60 Bible is for? It sure isn’t for Jesus.”

Sarafina Chitika, a senior Biden campaign spokesperson, issued a stinging statement.

“The last time the American people saw Donald Trump hold up a Bible,” she said, “it was for a photo op after he teargassed American citizens demonstrating against white supremacy.

“He can’t be bothered to leave Mar-a-Lago to meet with actual voters, but found the time to hawk bootleg sneakers, sell cheap perfume and promote his ‘new’ product to line his own pockets.

“It’s classic Donald Trump – a fraud who has spent his life scamming people and his presidency screwing over the middle class and cutting taxes for his rich friends.”

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