Live Free or Die
New Hampshire’s state motto is taken from a Revolutionary War veteran’s toast, at least according to Wikipedia. Does this independent spirit impact the life of the people and the feeling of its places as seen through the lens of modern literature? Explore the list below and see for yourself!
How about some more more books for this state? Send your suggestions and please don’t forget to tell me why you think that book is a good one for Arizona. The book doesn’t need to be explicitly about the state, only clearly set in it and written by someone who actually lived there. I have a bias towards books written by authors who are still living so that we can reflect more on Arizona today but I won’t turn down a classic if you make a good argument for it!
Books are in no order of preference. That they are on this list is not a reflection of my personal taste or even that I’ve read them — I want you to find what works for you.
Go Ask Fannie by Elisabeth Hyde, fiction
Live Free and Eat Pie: A Storyteller's Guide to New Hampshire by Rebecca Rule, humor
Not available via Bookshop
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving, literary fiction
Surviving the White Gaze by Rebecca Carroll, memoir
The Weight of Water by Anita Shreve, literary fiction
Purchase via Bookshop to support independent bookstores.
Purchase via Amazon? Links coming soon.
Photo credit: Erick Tujac