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BOOKS SET IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS


On this fine first Tuesday of May, we have another book list to share and this time the focus is on some of the books that are set in my home state. In this case, that falls to Illinois and so we get to look at books set in Illinois. 

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BOOKS SET IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. How many of these fictional titles have you read? #Books #BookList #TopTenList #TopTenTuesday #Book Share on X

Most of these books I haven’t (as is the usual fact) read, but they have either had a long-standing place on my bookshelf or were once on my shelf. What’s more fun is there seems to be a varied selection in this week’s list. Something that I always find interesting. 


BOOKS SET in ILLINOIS


INTO THE WHIRLWIND, ELIZABETH CAMDEN

A historical novel set in the aftermath of the Chicago fire along with a battle of hearts. Goodreads

LIFE AFTER, KATIE GANSHERT

A book I read years ago. If I remember right, the story about a woman who is the sole survivor of a train explosion. Goodreads

IT HAPPENED at the FAIR, DEANNE GIST

A historical fiction novel set against the backdrop of the 1893 World’s Fair. The characters are Cullen, a man betting everything on his invention, and Della, a teacher with a skill he needs to learn. Goodreads

THE PROTECTOR, DEE HENDERSON

A series about law enforcement and medical professionals who are siblings, this is a series I remember quite enjoying. Goodreads

THE PURSUIT of OLIVIA BANNING, OLIVIA NEWPORT

I used to read quite a few historical novels, so I cannot remember if I read this one or not. But I think I did. The cover art is certainly pretty and I did own a copy of this one at one time. It follows a woman who believes in her charity work but has high expectations placed on the match she will make. Goodreads

BOOKS SET IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. A list of books set in Illinois. How many of these titles have you read?

THE LIFE and (MEDIEVAL) TIMES of KIT SWEETLY, JAMIE PACTON

Read this one way back when it released in 2020. It was pitched as a kind of modern A Knight’s Tale and given how much I adore that flick, I had to read this one and if memory serves, it was fun. Goodreads

DEAR MR. KNIGHTLEY, KATHERINE REAY

This is one of those novels (it was the debut for the author) that I read and considered a favorite the year it released. Goodreads

THE SHADOW SOCIETY, MARIE RUTKOSKI

An alternate world story about a girl who was left at a Chicago firehouse when she was a baby. This is one of those books I had on my shelf for eons and cannot remember if I still do. It’s the “before” book by an author best known for The Winner’s CircleGoodreads

THE COMEBACK SEASON, JENNIFER E. SMITH

I have had this one on my shelf for too long. It sounds cute though about two teens who meet at a Cubs game. Goodreads

MOLLY: AN AMERICAN GIRL, VALERIE TRIPP

I have zero memory of this novel, despite loving these American Girl books as a kid being set in Illinois but it kept turning up in my research for titles set in the state, so I’m trusting that. Which may or may not be wise. Either way, Molly is a delightful character so she deserves mentions regardless. Goodreads

FAR FROM NORMAL, BECKY WALLACE

I’ve have this one on my shelf for a long time. I may have even unhauled it by now, but it did always look cute. Goodreads

HOMETOWN GIRL, COURTNEY WALSH

I had this one for a long time and do love the colorful cover. But I don’t think I ever read it and I think it’s one I finally unhauled. Not because I don’t still think it could be good, but because I like to think there is someone in the world who will give this book the time (aka read it) that it deserves. The plot follows a girl who, just as she prepares to break free from her small town, she is roped into helping her sister run a dilapidated farm. Goodreads

What books are set in your state? Did you have an easy or difficult time finding these titles? How many of these have you read? Comment all of your thoughts below! 

Thank you for visiting; please do return again soon

Linking up with That Artsy Reader Girl May 6: Authors (or books by authors) Who Live In My State/Country (submitted by Jennifer @ Funk-N-Fiction)

About Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

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21 Comments

    1. I feel like Chicago is probably the “big” location for most of hte books set in Illinois but I think a few were set (when I was searching) in a smaller town or a suburb. :)

    1. I probably could have found authors living my state… but maybe not! I know Courtney Walsh lives in Illinois but off hand, I’m not sure if there are others. :)

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