photo credit: Vitorio Benedetti

I have chosen the playwright William Inge to represent the state of Kansas — mostly because I have heard of him! However, Sheila recommended another Kansas classic:  In Cold Blood.  Good pick, Sheila!  I have not yet read Capote’s  classic, but after recently reviewing a semi-autobiographical novel about his life, Capote in Kansas, I feel as though I know him…

photo credit: Vitorio Benedetti

But on to Inge!  If you are wondering why Inge’s name sounds familiar — think Broadway!  He won the Pulitzer for Picnic and is also well-known for Bus Stop and Splendor in the Grass (for which he won an Oscar).

photo credit: diskychick

I have only seen Bus Stop — with Jerry Hall as the lead — and enjoyed it.  Anyone else have memories of Inge’s work? 

Curious about what states we’ve done so far and which ones are on deck?

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

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

New Mexico: Tony Hillerman

Oklahoma: Joy Harjo

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

Welcome back!