Recs if you like The Round House...

TIME’s list of “the most gripping, twist-filled, satisfying, and influential mystery and thriller books” running all the way back to the 1800s

books from all US states and territories. asking for recommendations! these books must a) be written by an author with a strong connection to the state or territory and b) take place largely in the state or territory. i want to try to prioritize, whenever possible, underrepresented voices / voices that america’s regime tries to silence.

please lmk if any of these authors or texts aren’t good representation.

i will comment a list with each state/territory + its associated book!

I'm coming at this from a Canadian Metis point of view and I welcome other suggestions for the list.

To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, HarperCollins curated a list of their books they say "define the nation". This is that list of books!

Fic + NonFic | Updating Regularly

the novels on this list explore the faultlines of the american west, lingering in its borderlands, refusing its colonial myths. some of them reimagine classic wild west fiction tropes, while others refuse the terms of the western altogether. title from lil nas x ofc :)

Native American/Indigenous classic literature from across Turtle Island🐢🪶

#LANDBACK

so far I’ve tried to stick to works published pre-2020 for the purposes of this list

shoutout to r/IndianCountry for recs

disclaimer: I am not Indigenous myself, just someone who went looking for a list like this and found a gap. I have found the books for this list on Indigenous-run sites and online spaces, including related lists on pb.

Always open to recommendations!

Stories of the rural west

I haven’t read all of these, so feedback is welcome!

I love a great historical mystery series, but sometimes you want a one-and-done type tale. Historical applies to anything set in the 1990s and before.

Just finished reading The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. I noted down the Books that were mentioned in the Letters and thought I'd share it here in case someone else would be interested 😊

Sybil (& friends') reading list

every book Sybil mentions in The Correspondent by Virginia Evans 💕

This is the list from The Atlantic. "In 1868, a little-known writer by the name of John William DeForest proposed a new type of literature, a collective artistic project for a nation just emerging from an existential conflict: a work of fiction that accomplished “the task of painting the American soul.” It would be called the Great American Novel, and no one had written it yet, DeForest admitted. Maybe soon."

stereotypical "literature" and books that may not be given that title by society but i think are worthy of it

The Dayton Literary Peace Prize, inaugurated in 2006, is the first and only annual U.S. literary award recognizing the power of the written word to promote peace. The Dayton Literary Peace Prize invites nominations in adult fiction and nonfiction books published within the past year that have led readers to a better understanding of other cultures, peoples, religions, and political points of view.

fiction edition finalists

August 2026 Reader’s choice of the best 100 thrillers All I gotta say is the definitely didn’t ask me. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Join me on a cozy tour of the United States and beyond! Cozy mysteries are low stakes, high enjoyment, and an excellent palate cleanser. And reading a cozy mystery about surroundings you recognize or would like to explore just adds to the fun! This list features cozy mystery, first-in-series books set in North Dakota! NOTE: The list of cozy mysteries set in North Dakota is severely lacking, so some listed here are not cozy mysteries.