For some time, I've wanted to survey the American literary landscape and take a closer look at each state's crop of books and writers. This endeavor begins with this thread (Florida, not Alabama, no less) in which I will solicit your help in finding the best books each state has produced. Other threads will follow for other states. I'd be interested in hearing about any books written about Florida but preferably prose of high quality.
In my recent memory I've heard good things about Shadow Country by Matthiessen and Florida by Laura Groff and Swamplandia! by Karen Russell. I've read the latter. Any thoughts about these mentioned? Any other suggestions? Goodreads and Amazon are always helpful but they only offer so much assistance. Some of you are a veritable compendium of bookish information. Although Florida is my second home, and it's not a complete roll of the dice that I began with it, I don't know of that many books set there. Wasn't Their Eyes Were Watching God set there? I believe Hurston lived there for some time in her youth.
Thanks for your help and comments.
(Obviously, working in libraries and scouring bookstores all my life has broadened my knowledge about these things, but I'm hoping to hear about books you've actually read. All comments welcome, however.)
In my recent memory I've heard good things about Shadow Country by Matthiessen and Florida by Laura Groff and Swamplandia! by Karen Russell. I've read the latter. Any thoughts about these mentioned? Any other suggestions? Goodreads and Amazon are always helpful but they only offer so much assistance. Some of you are a veritable compendium of bookish information. Although Florida is my second home, and it's not a complete roll of the dice that I began with it, I don't know of that many books set there. Wasn't Their Eyes Were Watching God set there? I believe Hurston lived there for some time in her youth.
Thanks for your help and comments.
(Obviously, working in libraries and scouring bookstores all my life has broadened my knowledge about these things, but I'm hoping to hear about books you've actually read. All comments welcome, however.)