Tornadoes, Native Americans and More

Is there a book you love and feel does a great job of highlighting its Oklahoma setting? Send your suggestions and please don’t forget to tell me why you think that book is a good choice for this state. It doesn’t need to explicitly be 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 today’s reality 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.

Along the Watchtower by Constance Squires, military fiction / fantasy

Purchase via Bookshop

Burials (Faye Longchamp #10) by Mary Anna Evans, mystery

Purchase via Bookshop

Cherokee America by Margaret Verble, historical fiction

Purchase via Bookshop

Crazy Brave by Joy Harjo, memoir

Purchase via Bookshop

Mean Spirit by Linda Hogan, historical fiction, mystery

Purchase via Bookshop

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, YA fiction classic

Purchase via Bookshop

The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp, YA fiction

Purchase via Bookshop

Tulsa by Larry Clark, photo documentary

Purchase via Bookshop

Where the Dead Sit Talking by Brandon Hobson, coming-of-age story

Purchase via Bookshop


Purchase via Bookshop to support independent bookstores.

Purchase via Amazon? Links coming soon.

Photo credit: Erick Zajac