Ooooooooh – Oklahoma’s Scribe!
By Kristen on Dec 19, 2008 in 50 States 50 Books
photo credit: OakleyOriginals
Many thanks to Cindy for recommending the following Oklahoma writers: William Bernhardt, Angie Debo, Janet McAdams, and Janis Reams Hudson. I have not yet read any of these writers, but I’m looking forward to getting to know them in the future!
Cindy also recommended one of my favorite poets to represent Oklahoma: Joy Harjo. I have read and taught her poetry for years — she is a fierce warrior of words who is accessible yet challenging. One of my very favorite collections is She Had Some Horses. Check out the links below to experience the unique voice that is Harjo.
First, an excerpt which is fairly representative of much of her poetry:
No
Yes that was me you saw shaking with bravery, with a government issued
rifle on my back. I’m sorry I could not greet you as you deserved, my
relative.
They were not my tears. I have a resevoir inside. They will be cried
by my sons, my daughters if I can’t learn how to turn tears to stone.
Yes, that was me standing in the back door of the house in the alley,
with fresh corn and bread for the neighbors.
I did not forsee the flood of blood. How they would forget our
friendship, would return to kill me and the babies.
photo credit: OakleyOriginals
Pretty intense, huh? Here is another excerpt with a much different tone:
In Honor of Mo Who Is Our Cat, and We Are Hers
and everything in the room:
the couch, the windows, the door
and eventually every room in the house
and the yard
and beyond the yard to many years
Want to read more? Check out these great links:
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 Oklahoma: Tony Hillerman
Wondering where your state is? Coming soon… In the meantime, weigh in on future picks!
Welcome back!
Big fan of William Bernhardt, and I admire his efforts within the Oklahoma writers community.
I would like to include another author to the list of Oklahoma authors. Yes, it’s a case of throwing my own name in the hat, so, please excuse my intrusion if this is unacceptable.
‘Symphony of the Parallels’ by Atkinstein.
This is a wonderful read, for those that enjoy adventure and sci-fantasy novels, written by Tulsa born author known by the pen name of Atkinstein. Excerpts and further information available at www.Atkinstein.com
Atkinstein | Jan 3, 2009 | Reply