This week’s literary road trip takes us to the beautiful state of Virginia and one of their most prolific and popular native sons: John Grisham.

photo credit: RCSJ

Now, here’s my dilemma… Playing for Pizza is the most recent Grisham I have read (and thoroughly enjoyed, by the way), but since it takes place in Italy, this novel really isn’t the right choice for Virginia.

photo credit: miamabanta
So, I would really appreciate any comments regarding which of his titles seem to best express the complexity and richness of the beautiful state of Virginia. Here is a list of his works:

• A Time to Kill
• The Firm
• The Pelican Brief
• The Client
• The Chamber
• The Rainmaker
• The Runaway Jury
• The Partner
• The Street Lawyer
• The Testament
• The Brethren
• A Painted House
• Skipping Christmas
• The Summons
• The King of Torts
• Bleachers
• The Last Juror
• The Broker
• The Innocent Man
• Playing for Pizza
• The Appeal

photo credit: Ken Lund
Holy Cow!  I have read about half of the above, but do not remember the specifics of any beyond The Firm and A Painted House (which I loved, by the way).  I tend to “read” Grisham on disc while I’m driving — which makes my commute speed by, but unfortunately the particular details of the work also seem to speed out of my brain…

photo credit: Ken Lund

So, what do YOU think?  Which of the above titles either represents the state of Virginia well, or exemplifies Grisham’s unique Virginia sensibility?

Curious about the other states we’ve covered?

Photo by marxchivist

First, from Melanie Jones:

• Alabama: To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee (check out my To Kill A Mockingbird Sample Kit!)
• Michigan: The Virgin Suicides by Jeffery Eugenides
• Alaska: The Man Who Swam With Beavers by Nancy Lord
• Arizona: The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver
• North Dakota: Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
• Vermont: The Secret History by Donna Tartt
• Hawaii: Heads by Harry by Lois-ann Yamanaka
• Georgia: Leaving Atlanta by Tayari Jones

And I went out on my own for…

• Florida: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Nora Zeale Hurston
• Minnesota: In the Lake of the Woods by Tim O’Brien
• Wisconsin: When Madeline Was Young by Jane Hamilton
• Louisiana: Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells (Jones’ pick) and The Awakening by Kate Chopin (my pick)
• Colorado: Plainsong by Kent Haruf
• Maryland: Anything by Anne Tyler
• Georgia: Awakening by Kate Chopin
• Ohio: The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
• Arkansas: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Wondering where your state is? Coming soon… In the meantime, weigh in on future picks!

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