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Escape into these 35 must-read books inspired by the people, places, and cultures of the Philadelphia area.
For a lot of us, 2020 feels like a dark cloud we just cannot outrun.
Thankfully, we have books. Books may not have the power to solve the world's problems, but they can certainly put some distance between a reader and his or her troubles. Second only to a walk in the woods, a good book provides the best possible kind of escape, enabling us to view the world through someone elseís lens, even transporting us to distant lands and other points in history.
Philadelphia and its surroundings have inspired a number of literary heavyweights. From the late Pearl S. Buck, James A. Michener, and Jean Toomer, to contemporary authors such as Jonathan Maberry, Anna Quindlen, and Jennifer Weiner, these writers have brought the Philadelphia area to life on the page.
The 35 following books, many of which bear the names of authors with local roots, drew inspiration from the Philadelphia area's people, places, and cultures. Whether you prefer YA novels or memoirs, history or current events, these tomes can take you somewhere else when you need it most. You might disagree with the books on our list, and thatís all right. Surely you have favorites of your own -- and we hope you'll let us know what we're missing.
Track down these titles (or whatever's on your to-read list) at local independent bookstores throughout the area. Their owners and staff would appreciate the support considering the challenges of the past few months.
Ardrossan: The Last Great Estate on the Main Line
David Nelson Wren
As Bright As Heaven
Susan Meissner
The Beneficiary: Fortune, Misfortune, and the Story of My Father
Janny Scott
Blubber
Judy Blume
BUCK: A Memoir
M.K. Asante
Close to Shore: A True Story of Terror in an Age of Innocence
Michael Capuzzo
The Corrections
Jonathan Franzen
Creatures of the Kingdom: Stories of Animals and Nature
James A. Michener
The Dutch House
Ann Patchett
Every Fifteen Minutes
Lisa Scottoline
Green Grass Grace
Shawn McBride
Hell
Kathryn Davis
Hidden History of Bucks County
Jennifer Rogers
Hiding Among the Dead
Chris Bauer
The Imperfects
Amy Meyerson
If Sons, Then Heirs
Lorene Cary
In Her Shoes
Jennifer Weiner
Intermission: How Fervor, Friendships and Faith Took Me to the Second Act
Mindie Barnett
Knots in My Yo-Yo String
Jerry Spinelli
Lilli de Jong
Janet Benton
Long Bright River
Liz Moore
The Lovely Bones
Alice Sebold
Loving Day
Mat Johnson
Marley & Me: Life and Love with the Worldís Worst Dog
John Grogan
Michener and Me: A Memoir
Herman Silverman
Moonglow
Michael Chabon
Not Perfect
Elizabeth LaBan
The Philadelphia State Hospital at Byberry: A History of Misery and Medicine
J.P. Webster
The Removers: A Memoir
Andrew Meredith
Seek My Face
John Updike
The Silver Linings Playbook
Matthew Quick
Such a Fun Age
Kiley Reid
Unique Eats and Eateries of Philadelphia
Irene Levy Baker
Where She Went
Kelly Simmons
Wonderland: A Year in the Life of an American High School
Michael Bamberger
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Life magazine, June 2020.
Philadelphia and its surroundings have inspired a number of literary heavyweights. From the late Pearl S. Buck, James A. Michener, and Jean Toomer, to contemporary authors such as Jonathan Maberry, Anna Quindlen, and Jennifer Weiner, these writers have brought the Philadelphia area to life on the page.
The 35 following books, many of which bear the names of authors with local roots, drew inspiration from the Philadelphia area's people, places, and cultures. Whether you prefer YA novels or memoirs, history or current events, these tomes can take you somewhere else when you need it most. You might disagree with the books on our list, and thatís all right. Surely you have favorites of your own -- and we hope you'll let us know what we're missing.
Track down these titles (or whatever's on your to-read list) at local independent bookstores throughout the area. Their owners and staff would appreciate the support considering the challenges of the past few months.
Ardrossan: The Last Great Estate on the Main Line
David Nelson Wren
As Bright As Heaven
Susan Meissner
The Beneficiary: Fortune, Misfortune, and the Story of My Father
Janny Scott
Blubber
Judy Blume
BUCK: A Memoir
M.K. Asante
Close to Shore: A True Story of Terror in an Age of Innocence
Michael Capuzzo
The Corrections
Jonathan Franzen
Creatures of the Kingdom: Stories of Animals and Nature
James A. Michener
The Dutch House
Ann Patchett
Every Fifteen Minutes
Lisa Scottoline
Green Grass Grace
Shawn McBride
Hell
Kathryn Davis
Hidden History of Bucks County
Jennifer Rogers
Hiding Among the Dead
Chris Bauer
The Imperfects
Amy Meyerson
If Sons, Then Heirs
Lorene Cary
In Her Shoes
Jennifer Weiner
Intermission: How Fervor, Friendships and Faith Took Me to the Second Act
Mindie Barnett
Knots in My Yo-Yo String
Jerry Spinelli
Lilli de Jong
Janet Benton
Long Bright River
Liz Moore
The Lovely Bones
Alice Sebold
Loving Day
Mat Johnson
Marley & Me: Life and Love with the Worldís Worst Dog
John Grogan
Michener and Me: A Memoir
Herman Silverman
Moonglow
Michael Chabon
Not Perfect
Elizabeth LaBan
The Philadelphia State Hospital at Byberry: A History of Misery and Medicine
J.P. Webster
The Removers: A Memoir
Andrew Meredith
Seek My Face
John Updike
The Silver Linings Playbook
Matthew Quick
Such a Fun Age
Kiley Reid
Unique Eats and Eateries of Philadelphia
Irene Levy Baker
Where She Went
Kelly Simmons
Wonderland: A Year in the Life of an American High School
Michael Bamberger
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Life magazine, June 2020.
