BOOK CLUB CLASSICS!

Inspired by the quotes I highlighted last week, I couldn’t help but think of Mark Twain — my choice for the state of Missouri. 

photo credit: The Confluence
I recently re-read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and was re-amazed.  Although controversial and frequently banned today, Huck Finn was so ahead of its time…  sadly.  But beyond [...]

photo credit: Sunrise Ottah
Well, for Pennsylvania’s representative I have been wavering between John Updike and James Michener and finally decided to include them both! Each is quintessentially American yet very different, therefore exemplifying the diversity of our wonderful, ambivalent country. Plus, both are recipients of the Pulitzer Prize… can’t beat that!
I prefer Updike’s short stories [...]

photo credit: Mike Willis
Inspired by our recent weekend (near) Iowa, I decided to choose this bountiful state as my subject this week.  Wallace Stegner was born in Lake Mills, Iowa — but if you’re wondering why you associate him so strongly with the West…  it could be because he grew up in Great Falls, [...]

photo credit: jelene
Although Pat Conroy was not born in South Carolina, after moving 23 times before the age of 18, he decided to make Beaufort, South Carolina his home and his writing has reflected this sense of connection many times over…
I discovered Conroy while in high school and devoured The Great Santini (which was [...]

photo credit: a4gpa
Well, I’m afraid I’m really veering from my original intent to choose writers born in their chosen state since this week’s author was born in Pennsylvania and lived in Arizona for a while, but my friend Eve suggested him for the state of Utah, and I’m afraid I simply do not have [...]