I want a really good book set in New York

[Homefireburn1ng]

I always like to read books set where I travel.

If you could recommend 2 set in Maine and Cape Cod too that would be great.

Have you seen this website? Www.tripfiction.com - think it's a mumsnetter who set it up.

Bonfire of the Vanities for New York?

I loved this:
www.goodreads.com/book/show/398674.The_Girl_In_Times_Square

Sunday times did a list of the greatest modern fiction recently. I’ve bought Golden Hill and Brooklyn from it, both set in NY

There was a thread exactly on this subject about a fortnight ago.

I suggested The Pursuit of Happiness - Douglas Kennedy, it came up a few times.

Not a modern book, but I love The Group.

Recent thread on this

For New York, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Thin Man, and Bright Lights, Big City.

Carol O’Connell’s terrific Kathy Mallory series are set in New York. Also Lawrence Block’s Matt Scudder novels are set in New York - Block is a really good writer. Also Sandra Scoppetto

Classic New York crime - Rex Stout and Ed McBain. Andrew Vachss’ creepy detective series about the underbelly of New York.

John Connolly’s Charlie Parker novels are frequently set in Maine, although they’re not necessarily a happy, holiday read. Henry Thoreau’s The Maine Woods is lovely, if you’re feeling introspective.

A lot of Stephen King’s books are set in Maine. Also, Tabitha King’s Pearl, which is a luminous book and well worth reading. It was first published in the 80s.

Here’s a list of books set in Cape Cod: the only ones I’ve read are the Spencer Quinn novels, which are amusing. www.titcombsbookshop.com/cape-cod-books-we-love

Sorry, correction: Sandra Scoppetone.

Thanks for all the recommendations and links.

My problem is I’m such an avid reader of places I want to go to I’ve read loads but making progress.

Shortlisted NYC to

My Name is Lucy Barton
Behold the Dreamers
Elenor Boxfish

Cape Cod to

The Giants House
The Outermost House

Anybody read any of those?

Still hunting for Maine.

For Maine maybe have a look at Anita Shreve's books? Iirc a lot are set there.

Edward Rutherfurd - New York

A tree grows in Brooklyn.

Also The Mole People: Life in the Tunnels Beneath New York City - non-fiction

Enjoy!

Read all of Anita Shreave bar the newest one. Not sure re reviews( not her best apparently) but a contender.

Helene Hanff’s ‘Apple of my Eye’ and ‘Underfoot in Shiw Business’, and obviously 84 Charing Cross Road.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Tama Janowicz’s ‘Slaves of New York’ - hilariously eighties.

The Great Gatsby

Lots of Henry James / Edith Wharton

Auntie Mame

More New England than specifically Maine or Cape Cod

Little Women

Practical Magic

Ethan Frome

Cider House Rules

Witches of Eastwick

I've read The Giant's House and really enjoyed it, it would be a good holiday read.

Fab that’s Cape Cod sorted. So many options re NYC. Maine still proving elusive. Don’t like Stephen King and read Courtney Sullivan’s Maine which would have been ideal.

Olive Kitteridge I think is set in Maine.

Read that

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt is set partly (mostly?) in New York.

The Cider House Rules by John Irving is set in Maine. First book I read by him and utterly fabulous.

Brooklyn by Colm Toibin. Location is obvious!

Nemesis by Philip Roth is set in Newark, which is NY State. Another fabulous book.

Read Goldfinch

Toying with Cider House but is it coastal Maine or more inland?Aldo wondering if I’ve read it, would be a disaster if I lugged it there and realised I had half way through.

The Goldfinch - Donna Tartt
Rules of Civility - Amor Towles

For New York, Lillian Boxfish Takes A Walk is a lovely book, quite unusual and interesting. I don’t remember the author ‘s name. Very much about the city and life in it.

I thought Lillian Boxfish looked good too. Just found Empire Falls which is set in Maine, a def possibility.

The State Union - Douglas Kennedy is set in Maine