Reading the States: Pennsylvania

Friday, September 28, 2012


State: PENNSYLVANIA

Fiction:

- Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult
- Baker Towers by Jennifer Haigh
- Appointment in Samarra by John O'Hara
- Mysteries of Pittsburgh by Michael Chabon
- The Bread Sister of Sinking Creek by Robin Moore
- In Sunlight, in a Beautiful Garden by Kathleen Cambor
- American Rust by Philipp Meyer
- Straight Man* by Richard Russo
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower* by Stephen Chbosky
- The Philadelphian by Richard Powell
- The Lovely Bones* by Alice Sebold
- Rabbit, Run by John Updike

Nonfiction:
- The Killer Angels* by Michael Shaara
- Pennsylvania Curiosities by Clark DeLeon
- An American Childhood by Annie Dillard
- The Philadelphia Negro by W.E.B. Du Bois 
- The Johnstown Flood by David McCullough

Authors Known for Writing in or about the State:
- John Updike
- August Wilson (Pittsburgh cycle plays)
- John O'Hara
- Jane Haddam
- Michael Chabon

Authors Who Lived Here:

- Wallace Stevens
- Lois Lowry
- Jerry Spinelli
- Thomas Buchanan Read
- Dean Koontz

Great Bookstores:
Caliban Books 

Photo by moi. 

8 comments:

Bybee said...

I've had my eye on American Rust since it came out.

The Insouciant Sophisticate said...

A. I did not realize The Perks of Being a Wallflower was set in PA-now I will have to read it!

B. What about The Lovely Bones? I picked that book up (was probably too young) because it was a local author.

C. I'm originally from PA so this is the week I've been waiting for-love PA <3

Nikki Steele said...

I read Perks of Being a Wallflower this month and loved it! It was such a lovely little book, with a beautiful ending.

Alyce said...

Only one specific title on that list that I've read - Killer Angels (in AP History in high school - definitely my favorite part of that class). :)

Kristi said...

Yay for for Perks of Being a Wallflower. Have you seen the movie yet? I can't wait.

I haven't read any Michael Chabon, but I found a copy of The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay for $1 at a thrift store. Hoping to get to it soon.

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

Bybee - I've been meaning to read that one too.

Bookworm1858 - You should definitely read Perks, it's great. I forgot Lovely Bones! I've added it in now. That's awesome you're from PA, you have so many great authors and books from your state!

Nikki - I'm so glad you loved it! It's such a great book.

Alyce - Wasn't that one good! I thought the whole book was so well done. I felt like I was there.

Kristi - I haven't seen the movie yet, but I'm dying to! It's been quite a few years since I read Amazing Adventures, but I really liked it. I think it's time for a re-read.

Michele said...

YAY! I've been waiting for your Pennsylvania post and I can't believe I missed it last week. I'd like to give a shout-out to a fantastic indie bookstore in Philly, Joseph Fox bookshop, as well as 2 of my beloved used bookstores - Book Trader (featured prominently in the Jeff Daniels/Lauren Graham film The Answer Man) and Book Corner where all sales benefit the Free Library of Philadelphia (and the books are SUPER cheap), both of which are also based in Philly.

Philly bias but hey, I'm MicheleinPhilly. :-)

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

Michele - That's fantastic, thank you! I added all three bookstores in. I'll also have to plan on checking them out if I make it to Philly in the near future, they look awesome!