Constant Reader discussion

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That is marvelous!

Re-posted this on my Facebook author page yesterday. It's fun. But I think most people think of The Wizard of Oz as a movie rather than a book. I think In Cold Blood would have been a better choice for Kansas. Just my two-cents worth! :-)

I think some choices were fairly obvious (Hello, Gone with the Wind), and others suffered from recency bias.

Very interesting.

There MUST be a more famous book than the one by Dan Brown listed for DC (which I've never heard of, though I know who Dan Brown is). I suppose the fame of Advise and Consent has faded by now, but there are so many novels set in Washington. Can anyone suggest any good, um, candidates?

I felt the same about the one for North Carolina by Nicholas Sparks. I've never heard of it or read a book by NS. Maybe one by Clyde Edgerton or Allan Gurganus.

I'm sure there a lot of others that could have been chosen for Iowa, but the more I think about it the more I like the choice of Smiley's A Thousand Acres. It's not that it's necessarily the most famous, but I think it really captures the rural Iowa life experience. And it has continued to resonate with me for many years after I read it.

The obvious choice for North Carolina is Look Homeward, Angel. Of course, I live less than a mile from the eponymous angel, so I might be biased.

Sherry wrote: "I felt the same about the one for North Carolina by Nicholas Sparks. I've never heard of it or read a book by NS. Maybe one by Clyde Edgerton or Allan Gurganus."

My first thought on N.C. was Look Homeward, Angel.

ETA: Didn't much like S.C.'s either. I'd suggest The Prince of Tides.

Lisa wrote: "The obvious choice for North Carolina is Look Homeward, Angel. Of course, I live less than a mile from the eponymous angel, so I might be biased."

That's true, Lisa. I blush to admit I've never read any Thomas Wolfe, even though I live very close to the Thomas Wolfe home in Asheville.

For Texas, I'd venture to say that Terms of Endearment, for example, is more widely known than No Country for Old Men.

John, about 20 years ago I would have said Giant for Texas, but no one really seems to remember it anymore. My favorite Texas novel is The Last Picture Show. But it isn't as famous as the one given.

I have never made my way through Look Homeward, Angel either. Someone suggested it for our "vintage" book club, but it was voted down because of the length. Few figured they could finish it in a month.

My first thought for Maine was The Beans of Egypt, Maine, but I'm not a huge fan of King's work (despite his being a fellow Univ. of Maine grad). I understand that Jodi Picoult is popular, but for anyone interested in a Rhode Island book, try The Memory of Running. I had completely forgotten about Twilight, so thought the WA entry would be Snow Falling on Cedars (or, I suppose, The Egg and I).

I don't agree with Ohio's book either -- I think of most famous as being more the classically known titles for the state -- but maybe that should be a whole new map.

It would probably be fun coming up with an alternate list.

"Most Popular" probably means best seller. I think the Cormac McCarthy title probably made it in there because of the movie.

As a Texan, I am happy to have No Country for Old Men as the choice, but I thought it would be Lonesome Dove.

Lynn wrote: "I'm sure there a lot of others that could have been chosen for Iowa, but the more I think about it the more I like the choice of Smiley's A Thousand Acres. It's not that it's necessarily the most ..."

And "King Lear."

As a native Floridian, I think The Yearling is a better literary choice to represent the state, at least the northern part.

The choice for Virginia is strange. I. Would think The Confession of Nat Turner would be better known.

I agree with the Yearling for Fla. I really wonder how they came up with the list.

or Edna Buchanan's books on covering Miami as a reporter perhaps.

Sherry wrote: "I felt the same about the one for North Carolina by Nicholas Sparks. I've never heard of it or read a book by NS. Maybe one by Clyde Edgerton or Allan Gurganus."

I think they chose a Nicholas Sparks book because the majority of his books are based there.

Kat wrote: "There MUST be a more famous book than the one by Dan Brown listed for DC (which I've never heard of, though I know who Dan Brown is). I suppose the fame of Advise and Consent has faded by now, but ..."

I loved Advise and Consent. Didn't it have what, about five sequels?

Jennifer wrote: "Kat wrote: "There MUST be a more famous book than the one by Dan Brown listed for DC (which I've never heard of, though I know who Dan Brown is). I suppose the fame of Advise and Consent has faded ..."

I don't know, I only read the one. It was an unforgettable reading experience the summer after my 8th grade year. Have never reread it, but I still remember many character names and scenes, many decades later.

My pick for DC (one of my former hometowns) would be All the Presidents Men.

Some states (Mass, NY, California) there are so many from which to choose. But for New Mexico, I can think of only three books: Red Sky at Morning (their pick), Cather's Death Comes for the Archbishop and Percival Everett's Assumption. The last isn't famous at all. I think Cather's may be more famous than Red Sky. What do you think?

Kat wrote: "I don't know, I only read the one. It was an unforgettable reading experience the summer after my 8th grade year. Have never reread it, but I still remember many character names and scenes, many decades later. ."

I went and looked. It was a six-book series. Did I just mess with your nice tidy TBR? :-)

Kat wrote: "There MUST be a more famous book than the one by Dan Brown listed for DC (which I've never heard of, though I know who Dan Brown is)."

I thought THE LOST SYMBOL by Dan Brown was a great read. Lots of interesting lore about the Freemasons and Washington, D.C. With a really scaaary villain! Altho' a long book (500+ pages), it reads very fast, and you keep wondering what on earth will happen next.

Interesting list. I liked the choice for California --EAST OF EDEN by Steinbeck. Set in California's Salinas Valley where he was born and wrote, and a great book.

If you ever get anywhere near Salinas, CA, (near Monterey) be sure to visit Steinbeck's Museum. A wonderfully fascinating place. If you've never read anything by Steinbeck, you'll rush out to get one of his books after visiting the museum.

Marge

Lisa wrote, " But for New Mexico, I can think of only three books: Red Sky at Morning (their pick), Cather's Death Comes for the Archbishop and Percival Everett's Assumption. The last isn't famous at all. I think Cather's may be more famous than Red Sky. What do you think?"

I'd pick something by Tony HIllerman.

Lisa wrote: "My pick for DC (one of my former hometowns) would be All the Presidents Men."

Good one!

I'd go with the Cather, or a Tony Hillerman, for New Mexico. Never heard of the other two.

I've read 25 of them, and heard of virtually all of them.

NM: Red Sky at Morning is popular reading in middle- to high-school. Great book, by the way.

DC: Can't think of another NOVEL set in DC that would be more popular than Dan Brown's book (which I thought was terrible, albeit a fast read).

TX: I'd go with Lonesome Dove (but that doesn't stay in Texas for long ....)

SC: I wonder if Pat Conroy's Prince of Tides would be more popular?

Susanna - Censored by GoodReads wrote: "Lisa wrote: "My pick for DC (one of my former hometowns) would be All the Presidents Men."

Good one!"

Yes, of course. [viz., hand slapping forehead with appropriate sound effects!}

Susanna - Censored by GoodReads wrote: "I'd go with the Cather, or a Tony Hillerman, for New Mexico. Never heard of the other two."

Another three good books for New Mexico:
John Nichols is the author of the New Mexico trilogy, a series about the complex relationship between history, race and ethnicity, and land and water rights in the fictional Chamisaville County, New Mexico. The trilogy consists of The Milagro Beanfield War (which was adapted into the film The Milagro Beanfield War directed by Robert Redford), The Magic Journey, and The Nirvana Blues.

For Georgia, would it be Tobacco Road by Erskine Caldwell or maybe Lamb in His Bosom by Caroline Miller. Maybe Gone With the Wind would trump everything else.

I think Gone with the Wind trumps everything else.

I read and liked Paul Nichols' The Milagro Beanfield War. Haven't read the other two.

Wish I could remember the name of the book I read (nonfiction) of how the Indians (Native Americans) would sell the early New Mexican people horses, etc. and then sneak down in the late night and steal them back.

Marge

Has anyone read A Portion For Foxes? Of course, it is not the most famous book about Virginia. In fact, I think it is only available from used book sellers. But the image of Virginia at that time, the old ways dying, and the new, represented by the young woman who is the main character, coming in, influenced my decision to move there in 1974. Looking back now, I am sure the writer had no idea what was really coming, that the Washington Metro Area was going to go from a "sleepy Southern town" into powerhouse of technology and defense contracting. But, as any good artist does, she knew something was happening.

Although she's not what they have in mind for their list, I would say Stephanie Plum would the most "widely known" book(s) for New Jersey.

How did they measure "most famous"?

Cecily wrote: "How did they measure "most famous"?"

I was wondering about that too.

Ruth wrote: "http://www.businessinsider.com/most-f..."

All I get is an ad for Microsoft Office something. Huh? Would someone post this list please?

Scratch that. I tried again and got the list.

Cecily wrote: "How did they measure "most famous"?"

I would love to know that as well.

I guess Walden is a famous choice for Massachusetts but I wonder how many have actually read it.

I read it in high school. I think it's taught a lot.