photo credit: Paco Espinoza
First, before I discuss my pick for New Mexico, a big “thank you” to last week’s highlighted writer, Sally Denton, for introducing me to another talented NM wordsmith!
Denton recommends Michael McGarrity, a mystery writer who sets his novels in New Mexico. I look forward to checking him out soon!!
My pick for this striking state is a very popular writer who recently died: Tony Hillerman. Years ago I read one of his novels — Listening Woman — and enjoyed it. His love for this state and prolific ability to write about it makes him an excellent representative.
Here are a few quotes regarding Hillerman’s legacy, courtesy of the University of New Mexico:
Best-selling mystery writer Tony Hillerman has brought the landscape of the Southwest and the Navajo culture into mainstream America’s reading. His childhood growing up with Indian people has led to a fascination with Native American cultures and prompted him to spend time on the remote reservations of Arizona and New Mexico. His is a world of seasons and magic, of curing ceremonies, and ancient cultures, often on a collision course with the white world. The relationship of the Indians with the harshly beautiful high desert country is an underlying force in Hillerman’s novels. He uses his fiction to explore the turbulent crosscurrents that occur when ancient Native cultures, traditional Hispanic worlds, and the dominant Anglo Society collide.
And here’s an overview from Harper Collins’ website:
Tony Hillerman (1925–2008), an Albuquerque, New Mexico, resident since 1963, was the author of 29 books, including the popular 17-mystery series featuring Navajo police officers Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn, two non-series novels, two children’s books, and nonfiction works. He had received every major honor for mystery fiction; awards ranging from the Navajo Tribal Council’s commendation to France ‘s esteemed Grand prix de litterature policiere. Western Writers of America honored him with the Wister Award for Lifetime achievement in 2008. He served as president of the prestigious Mystery Writers of America, and was honored with that group’s Edgar Award and as one of mystery fiction’s Grand Masters. In 2001, his memoir, Seldom Disappointed, won both the Anthony and Agatha Awards for best nonfiction.
Curious about what states we’ve done so far and which ones are on deck?
Photo by marxchivistFirst, 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 Massachusettes: Mystic River by Dennis Lehane Oregon: Sometimes a Great Notion by Ken Kesey Wyoming: At Close Range by E. Annie Proulx Washington: The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie
And I happily borrowed the collective wisdom of Omnivoracious for
- Delaware: Marisa de los Santos (and W.D. Snodgrass, Robert Montgomery Bird, Jonathan Kellerman… they are choosing an author for every electoral vote…)
- New York: Check out the list of literary greats — wow…
- Rhode Island‘s little giants…
- Indiana‘s sweeping greatness…
- Maine‘s unknown gems…
- Illinios‘s literary lovelies…
- Mississippi‘s masters…
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 Virginia: John Grisham Idaho: Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson North Carolina: Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons Tennesee: Run by Ann Patchett New Jersey: Anything by Janet Ivanovich Texas: Anything by Elmer Kelton Connecticut: The Shipping News by E. Annie Proulx Montana: The Big Sky by A.B. Guthrie Utah: Edward Abbey South Carolina: Pat Conroy Iowa: Wallace Stegner Pennsylvania: John Updike and James Michener Missouri: Mark Twain New Hampshire: Robert Frost Kentucky: Robert Penn Warren California: John Steinbeck
Wondering where your state is? Coming soon… In the meantime, weigh in on future picks!
Pingback: 50 States 50 Books List | BOOK CLUB CLASSICS!