Our reading road trip has ventured to all four corners of the United States, featuring reading selections and travel experiences from each region of the country. You can explore this blog series in its entirety here, and use this list for reference as you read through all fifty states. The Reading List Alabama: The Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson Alaska: The Great Alone by Kristen Hannah Arizona: The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver Arkansas: True Grit by Charles Portis California: East of Eden by John Steinbeck Colorado: Plainsong by Kent Haruf Connecticut: Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates Delaware: The Book…
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Fiction of Hawaii
The six distinct islands of the 50th state of the United States capture the imagination of travelers, often earning a top spot on many travel bucket lists. Hawaii is the emerald green canyons of Kauai, golden sunrises over Haleakala on Maui, the rural rustic charm of Molokai despite its dark history, the luxurious solitude and pampering of Lanai, the crashing surf on the North Shore of Oahu, the active volcanoes of The Big Island, and the quiet reflection while visiting Pearl Harbor. The island’s “ohana” spirit encourages connectedness among family, friends, and neighbors, and a general sense of peace and…
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Fiction of Alaska
The dream of visiting Alaska lives in the hearts of many travelers. Whether cruising its coastline while listening to the creaks and cracks of the creeping glaciers, or touring its rugged interior spying bears in their natural habitat, the uniqueness of Alaska must be experienced. Novels set in Alaska allow readers to escape to this beautiful state through vivid storytelling and descriptions of the land. Here are three selections to curl up with this winter: The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey The cruel environment of Alaska’s wilderness proves itself a challenging homestead in 1920 for newcomers Jack and Mabel. They…
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Fiction of the Pacific States
From the scenic coastal highways of California to the lush evergreen forests of the Pacific Northwest, the Pacific States are beautiful and varying in their landscapes. Sun-soaked deserts, rolling surf, sprawling vineyards, Redwood forests, and snow-capped mountain peaks provide the backdrop for both incredible travel and reading experiences. Let’s explore fiction of the Pacific States: California East of Eden by John Steinbeck Arguably Steinbeck’s most powerful and ambitious novel, East of Eden follows the generations of the Trask and Hamilton families as a retelling of the stories of Adam and Eve and Cain and Abel. At just over 600 pages,…
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Fiction of the Southwest
The American Southwest stretches across arid deserts, void of signs of human life. It is scenic canyons that cut through red rocks, natural showstoppers in some of our county’s most breathtaking parks. The diversity of the region’s people and fascinating history continue to evolve today, and the fiction selections of this region highlight the merging of past and present while telling the stories of its people. Oklahoma The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck A Pulitzer Prize-winning American classic, The Grapes of Wrath tells the story of the Joad family and their migration to California from the Dust Bowl during…
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