Nevada’s Silver Pen
By Kristen on Dec 5, 2008 in 50 States 50 Books
So, I am down to six remaining states… whew! I would love a bit of help on the remaining states, by the way: New Mexico (maybe Julia Glass? Tony Hillerman?), Oklahoma, Kansas, South Dakota, and Washington. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
This week, I am highlighting a writer I found on the Silver Pen Award website – Sally Denton — who I have yet to read! The Silver Pen is awarded to Nevada writers who are mid-career, but have already distinguished themselves in writing. Denton has been inducted into the Nevada Writers’ Hall of Fame, too.
Here an excerpt from a biographical page:
Her 2001 book, The Money and the Power: The Making of Las Vegas and Its Hold on America, 1947-2000, co-authored with her husband, was described as “… one of the most important nonfiction books published in the United States …” by a Los Angeles Times reviewer.
photo credit: NU Husky 91
Sounds interesting! My husband and I are hoping to go to Las Vegas this spring (I’ve never been as an adult…), so I may check this out!
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 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…
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!
Welcome back!
Oh, it must be Hillerman for New Mexico. Has any novelist more deftly conveyed a sense of the culture, geography and landscape of that beautiful state?
Lisa | Dec 5, 2008 | Reply