Read your way around the USA

[ScarerAndFuck]

Just seen a list of the most famous books, one from every state in the USA.

I thought it might be interesting to share here in case anyone felt like a reading challenge with a difference.

The list is here

I've already read 20 of them, although two were for the same state as they were joint first on the list.

Can we do poetry because John Betjeman should probably get Middlesex.

I'm never sure where to put London generally. City of London is obviously a different thing to London London which is beautifully covered by Norman Collins' "London Belongs to Me".

Great Expectations is another fab London book but could also do service for the Kent marshes. Also David Copperfield could do Suffolk and Norfolk.

This is a bit of a challenge!

Have read 13 of the US ones. Very interested to see the UK list.

I've read 20 of the US ones.

This is really coming together! Everyone happy for:
Cheshire The weirdstone of Brisingamen Alan Garner from Octopusinastringbag

Cleveland (Middlesbro') is proving difficult, anyone got anything?

If poetry is allowed perhaps we could have Tam O'Shanter, by Robert Burns, for Ayrshire (Scotland).

I've read 16 of the US ones, but can't believe that there isn't a better choice for DC than Dan flipping Brown!

i would put Peter Ackroyd in there for London.

What about South Riding by Winifred Holtby for Yorkshire? Or Wuthering Heights

So many great ideas. Terrific!

Cleveland has proved a bit tricky but how about Pat Barker's Union Street?

Cornwall Octopusinastringba lists these (which do you think is the MOST famous?) I vote for Jamaica Inn

Jamaica InnDaphne Du Maurier
CornwallThe Dark is RisingSusan Cooper
CornwallThe Shell SeekersRosamund Pilcher

Cumberland is next up, any thoughts?

Margaret Forster maybe? Hidden lives I think is mostly in Carlisle. Or maybe Mervyn Bragg.

Thank you Oldyellow....was wondering about Swallows and Amazons being a famous book? Ebearhug has suggested this

Next up Derbyshire - both Ilovemyanyfucker and octopusinastringbag suggest Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks, sounds perfect.

Devon There were lots of contenders but I think Hound of the Baskervilles won out??

Dorset is next up - what do we think should feature?

We already have chosen famous books for 11 counties BTW! Doing well!