Rich in American History
Is there a book you love and feel does a great job of highlighting its Pennsylvania 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.
Buck: A Memoir by M. K. Asante, memoir
Drama High: The Incredible True Story of a Brilliant Teacher, a Struggling Town, and the Magic of Theater by Michael Sokolove, non-fiction
Dr. Mutter's Marvels: A True Tale of Intrigue and Innovation at the Dawn of Modern Medicine by Cristin O’Keefe Aptowicz, biography
Harry’s Trees by Jon Cohen, fiction
Long, Bright River by Liz Moore, mystery
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold, mystery / fantasy
The Mysteries of Pittsburgh by Michael Chabon, fiction/LGBTQ /coming-of-age
Only Ever You by Rebecca Drake, thriller
Pittsburgh Dad: Everything Your Dad Has Said to You by Chris Preksta and Curt Wootton, humor
The Secrets of Flight by Maggie Leffler, historical fiction
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid, fiction / race & privilege
Purchase via Bookshop to support independent bookstores.
Purchase via Amazon? Links coming soon.
Photo credit: Erick Zajac