TEN BOOKS WITH POLITICAL CHARACTERS AND THEMES
It’s Election day in the U.S. which I’m sure everyone and their best friend knows by now. For some of us, this means we’re over with the dramatic headlines and others, it may mean we’re sad because we thrive during political season. Either way, while it’s not the topic per se (because I don’t think any cover art really has a “political” element on the cover), I’m still going with a list of political fiction books. Because the hope is these are mainly fun and will be all about entertainment rather than, well, you know the alternative.
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Since we recently had a list of characters with political ambitions that make politics (maybe) seem fun, it only seems fair that I’d scour my bookshelves to find books that fit this topic. Most of these aren’t political in a “big” way but rather feature a leading character with political ambitions or someone who is a politician. I also don’t really see a lot of authors, like the ones we know well and think of, write political fiction. Perhaps because the market doesn’t want them? I don’t know. Either way, we’re going to share a few. Though I always try to feature the books on my shelf, some of these aren’t ones I’ve read or own. But the ones I include will be titles I think sound cute. Let’s meet these books and hopefully, find some fun political things!
TEN POLITICAL FICTION BOOKS
DON’T JUDGE A GIRL BY HER COVER, ALLY CARTER
This one follows Cammie, one of the characters from Carter’s Gallagher Girls series, as she visits her roommate during the summer and experiences her best friend’s father accept the vice president nomination. Goodreads
SIMPLE GIFTS, LORI COPELAND
I don’t think I ever owned this title, but it’s by an author I used to read many books by. It also features a hero who is mayor. Goodreads
TEN BOOKS WITH POLITICAL CHARACTERS AND THEMES. Sharing a short list of #PoliticalFiction titles. Which ones have you read? #Books #Politics #TopTen #TopTenBookList #BookList Share on XLOVE FINDS YOU IN, CAMELOT TENNESSEE, JANICE HANNA
Don’t have a clue if I once owned this book or not (it’s probable I did). But I know I did have several of the ‘Love Finds You’ books. This one is about a small town mayor and a childhood friend. Goodreads
DANCING with FIREFLIES, DENISE HUNTER
The hero is the local town mayor in this novel about a woman returning home with secrets. This isn’t my favorite novel by Denise, but at the time it released many of my reader friends online loved it, so I’m sure the reaction is a “me” thing vs. a “book” thing. Goodreads
SAVE the DATE, JENNY B. JONES
A couple stages a fake relationship when she needs funding for her non-profit and he needs votes in his bid for congress. This is a book I read years ago, but I seem to remember enjoying it. Goodreads
RED GIRL, BLUE BOY, LAUREN BARATZ LOGSTED
I read this one eons ago and thought it was entertaining, and as I remember, it fits quite well with the political fiction books title. It’s about a boy and girl who’s parents are running against each other on the ballot. Goodreads
THE UNEXPECTED EVERYTHING, MORGAN MATSON
The leading character in this is the daughter of a politician which I think qualifies this title. Goodreads
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LORNA, DEBRA WHITE SMITH
Our hero in this one is a newly elected mayor and Lorna, the heroine who falls in love with the “dashing” 30-something. Goodreads
LIKE NEVER BEFORE, MELISSA TAGG
Yes we had this one on the list last week (I think?), but its hero is a speechwriter coming of his most successful political campaign, which I think is not only an interesting career, but also interesting from a political angle. Goodreads
OFF THE RECORD, ELIZABETH WHITE
Described as a “rising political star,” Laurel is running for a chief justice position in this novel about her and a reporter with a past entangled in her own. Goodreads
POLITICAL FICTION THAT MIGHT BE FUN (but I haven’t read and don’t own!)
ALL-AMERICAN GIRL, MEG CABOT
This follows a girl who saves the president from an assassination attempt. Goodreads
MEET YOU in the MIDDLE, DEVON DANIELS
I feel like people either love or loathe this book. I think it could be fun depending on how it comes out. Goodreads
THE POLITICS of CHRISTMAS, DREW TAYLOR
This one follows a campaign manager and seems like it could be an entertaining and fun read that combines Christmas into the plot when the heroine must face ghosts in her past. Goodreads
Have you read any of these political fiction books? Which ones would you read? Do any look interesting? Let’s meet in the comments and chat!
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Linking up with That Artsy Reader Girl November 5: Covers with [Item] on the Cover (You choose the item! It can be anything at all.)
What a great topic for the prompt and day. I hope you have a great week.
Here’s my TTT if you wish to visit – https://justanothergirlandherbooks.blogspot.com/2024/11/top-ten-tuesday-covers-with-cats-on-them.html
Very fitting. ;)
I was wondering if anyone would take on a political theme. I really like the cover of The Unexpected Everything so I’m going to agree that it counts. I’m currently reading A Year of Flowers, and an MC’s boyfriend keeps running for local political offices.
I haven’t heard of your current read, but I don’t feel like I found a LOT of political fiction titles… or at least not ones that I had any interest in. I’m the type who likes to either own a book I feature or have an interest in it. ;)
Being the child of a politician must be tough! I do not envy them.
Right? I don’t envy that either! In the U.S., there’s always been this kind of idea that the kids should be left out of anything, no matter the side, but I feel like that’s NEVER followed. No matter who the person is, the kid didn’t choose the life so I definitely feel, even if they are 18, 19, or 20 (technically an adult) that they shouldn’t be “used” by either side.
I used to love Morgan Matson’s books but I haven’t kept up with her latest ones. Love your topic today!
I cannot remember if I’ve read any of Morgan’s or not. Maybe a road trip one? Either way, I’d sure like to read some of hers. They look fun. :)
I had no idea this was a subgenre. Interesting.
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.
I didn’t find many political fiction titles (or not ones that interested me) but there are some. I even have read a few where a lead is a political figure so that was fun to remember. :)
Politics and Christmas sounds like a fun but stressful combo, very unique
Very unique indeed! I may have to read up more on that one. :)
Great (and timely) topic! I read and loved The Unexpected Everything.
I’m so glad! It’s still one I’d like to read and am hoping it’s a fun one. :)
This is the perfect topic for today. I will admit that the rest of the world is watching with bated breath for the results. At least in my ex-pat household, we are.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/romance-covers-with-couples-on-them/
I thought so too! I was going with objects/item on cover, but then realized I hadn’t done any prep work on the list so I just went with these titles. Hoping there’s some fun stories inside the ones I haven’t read. :)
When I saw your topic a book came to the tip of my tongue that fits this post, but with my migraine it is not coming to me! But, i know I have read several that would fit. I fall in the camp that is ready for the political ads and stuff to be over, and regardless of the outcome for it to be a peaceful day for all involved.
I don’t feel like, even back when I was more engaged (this was the first election where I didn’t listen to all the commentary), I ever LOVED politics. It just wasn’t my jam. I still try to know what’s going on because it does matter, but at the same time, it’s SO refreshing not to put in an earbud and listen to someone telling me that I have to consider x, y, or z or a, b or c will happen. I’d definitely recommend a break from all that because it gets to be a LOT and I think no matter the side, there is a lot of fear being pushed. I know the feeling about forgetting a book, too! I’ve been there and it’s always annoying. ;)
No, I don’t love politics. I agree, it’s good to be informed but with all the ads and stuff it just gets to be too much.
For sure! At least now, or that’s the hope, we’re heading towards less of this though of course I know it’ll still be present until post inauguration.
I hate politics and I’m glad this election is over, even if it didn’t go the way I wanted it to! It’s probably no surprise that I avoid political themes in the books I read too. The Gallagher Girls is a really fun series, though. I’ve only read the first few – I need to go back to the series. It makes me laugh.
Happy TTT (on a Wednesday)!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
I have always tried to keep “current” on politics or current happenings (I don’t do deep dives though) because I do believe it matters, BUT this is the first election where I haven’t listened to commentary. It was SO refreshing and I’d do it again. I don’t like politics in the way some people do, but if it’s “fun” like in Legally Blonde 2 or First Daughter, well, I do like it. ;) I also suspect that while I’m way past the target age range, I too would laugh over the Gallagher Girls books. :)
Very fitting theme! The Unexpected Everything reminds me of that Mandy Moore movie, Chasing Liberty.
Excellent point! I haven’t read The Unexpected Everything but reading the synopsis does remind me of the movie. Or First Daughter too! :)
This was the perfect topic for this week! After all of the stress of the elections, I was over it before even Election Day, and the blowback of the outcome has been exhausting. As much as I dislike politics in real-life, I really do enjoy reading political fantasy, and there are a surprising amount of fantasy featuring politics so heavily. I was surprised to see how many books on your list feature politics, especially romances!
The first book I thought I’d see in this list was Red, White, & Royal Blue. It’s probably the only political non-fantasy book that I read, and it’s wonderful!
I know I missed several in my collection of fitting titles – as I do with every topic :D – but I also was surprised that I didn’t find a LOT. Maybe because authors don’t tend to tackle that? I also did think about adding a book like The Hunger Games, too. But I suppose I was going for more realism. It’s really nice to have the election done and dusted! Or that’s my perspective. I too am exhausted by some of aftermath, especially since there’s a list or something that bookstagrammers are keeping about certain accounts or authors or something suggesting they shouldn’t be supported because of their views. It’s all a bit too dramatic for me same as political commentary! Hoping some of these books are more fun or I’ll just watch Legally Blonde 2 where at least Elle makes politics seem WAY more fun. ;)