The Birthplace of the Nation

Is there a book you love and feel does a great job of highlighting its Virginia 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.

Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani, fiction

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Gray Mountain by John Grisham, legal thriller

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Miracle Creek by Angie Kim, mystery

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Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard, memoir / nature essays

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Trace by Patricia Cornwell, mystery

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Wish You Well by David Baldacci, coming of age

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Wish You Were Here by Rita Mae Brown, mystery

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Purchase via Amazon? Links coming soon.

Photo credit: Erick Zajac