Reading Across America

[Dark Muse]

Do you have a fixed time range for your journey? If you don't, it's not really comparing like with like. Are you doing the non-mainland states, Hawaii and Alaska? I think it's a good idea for a reading project. I would say, look first at the states which are hardest to find stories set in, then see if there any stories with a twenty-thirty year time span of each other. When you get to the most populous states, you will have plenty to choose from. You won't read the pick of American literature, but you will read an interesting section of literature.

I have no real time range just whatever books I find, and seem interesting to me. So it will be a mix of different time ranges. Starting with whatever I can find already on my shelves that will fit in.

It is my intention to do all of the states.

[Buh4Bee]

Started Updike- sort of like modern chick lit., but better written. Hope that doesn't offend anyone...

[islandclimber]

Seeing as it appears you do not have a book for Virginia, Mark Z. Danielewski's "House of Leaves" is rather disturbingly lovely. And the major storyline of this post-modern novel is set in the Virginia countryside.

For West Virginia, "John Henry Days" by Colson Whitehead is quite a good read.

For Alabama, Truman Capote's "Other Voices, Other Rooms" is also a good way to escape from the two most famous classics of Alabama literature (To Kill a Mockingbird and Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafe)...

[Dark Muse]

Seeing as it appears you do not have a book for Virginia, Mark Z. Danielewski's "House of Leaves" is rather disturbingly lovely. And the major storyline of this post-modern novel is set in the Virginia countryside.

For West Virginia, "John Henry Days" by Colson Whitehead is quite a good read.

For Alabama, Truman Capote's "Other Voices, Other Rooms" is also a good way to escape from the two most famous classics of Alabama literature (To Kill a Mockingbird and Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafe)...

Thank you for those.

I have heard of House of Leaves, it sounds like it could be interesting.

[islandclimber]

House of Leaves is quite brilliant at times, quite pedestrian at others, though this may not be accidental. It's fragmented yet always driving towards something, parallel stories wandering along similar yet divergent paths. It's disturbing at times, safe at others. I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Are you going to post reviews of the books on here as you read them? Or at least a brief something. There are several on your list that I have not read and might be interested in reading.

[Dark Muse]

Are you going to post reviews of the books on here as you read them? Or at least a brief something. There are several on your list that I have not read and might be interested in reading.

I have not given it much thought but I could keep track of my progress here and say a word or two about the books I read.

[Dark Muse]

1. Massachusetts - The Bostonians by Henry James

I have read my first book for this challenge of mine, though it is an alternative book as it was not the book I had originally planned to read. I had initially Herzog listed for Mass. which I still plan on reading, but in the meantime I had the opportunity to read The Bostonians by Henry James.

I thought it was quite an enjoyable and interesting book. I know James stirs up a lot of mixed feelings among people, and I am one of the ones who really does like reading him. I found that The Bostonians on one level was rather comprehensible for a James works, but on the other hand was still full of complexity. I love his in depth psychological investigations of the characters he provides along with complex relationships between people.

Rating: 4/5

[PeterL]

1. Massachusetts - The Bostonians by Henry James

I have read my first book for this challenge of mine, though it is an alternative book as it was not the book I had originally planned to read. I had initially Herzog listed for Mass. which I still plan on reading, but in the meantime I had the opportunity to read The Bostonians by Henry James.

I thought it was quite an enjoyable and interesting book. I know James stirs up a lot of mixed feelings among people, and I am one of the ones who really does like reading him. I found that The Bostonians on one level was rather comprehensible for a James works, but on the other hand was still full of complexity. I love his in depth psychological investigations of the characters he provides along with complex relationships between people.

Rating: 4/5

No, for Massachusetts you should read "Horror over Innsmouth" by H. P. Lovecraft. If that doesn't appeal to you, then try Arundel by Kenneth Lewis Roberts. Arundel isn't in Massachusetts anymore, but it was during the period in which the novel was set. Or you could use tht for Maine.

[hannah_arendt]

What about "The Crucible" by A. Miller?

[Dark Muse]

What about "The Crucible" by A. Miller?

I read that in High School. It was very good.

[Dark Muse]

No, for Massachusetts you should read "Horror over Innsmouth" by H. P. Lovecraft. If that doesn't appeal to you, then try Arundel" byt Kenneth Lewis Roberts. Arundel isn't in Massachusetts anymore, but it was during the period in which the novel was set.

I have read several of Lovecraft's works, I am not sure if I have read that one. The name sounds a bit familiar.

[PeterL]

I have read several of Lovecraft's works, I am not sure if I have read that one. The name sounds a bit familiar.

It is about beasties from around a Pacific Ocean island that a ship's captain brought back to Innsmouth, Around Innsmouth they interacted and intermarried with people. The results of the mixtures were different, Eventually the narrator learns that he had one of those beasties as an ancestor. There is an excellent section in which the narrator was chased out of Innsmout by a horde of yammering monstrosities. As a whole the story points out how bad a mistake it can be to take the wrong bus.

[hannah_arendt]

Could anyone recommend me any set in New England?

[Bibliophile79]

Pretty much half of Stephen King's works are set in New England

[PeterL]

Could anyone recommend me any set in New England?

Most of H. P. Lovecraft's works. Some of Kenneth Robert's books. Robert B. Parker's novels. Kirby Farrell's novels. and others