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 XMost 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
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 Circle. Goodreads
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)
Illinois is such a nice state! Thanks for stopping by earlier.
Thank you for the return visit! :)
These all look like some great reads to show us around Illinois.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/celebrating-canadian-authors-ten-authors-from-canada/
I hope so! Haven’t read them all, but it’s kind of fun to dig up books that are set in a certain place. :)
One of these days I will have to read that Jamie Pacton book.
It was super cute from what I remember. :)
I didn’t realize you were in Illinois – I grew up in Rockford :)
No kidding? I didn’t realize that about you, Carrie! As they say… “it’s a small world.” :)
Love the list! Dee Henderson is such a great author, but sadly she hasn’t written anything in years. I miss her books. Hope you’re having a wonderful week!
I loved these O’Malley books by Dee! And I miss these books by her, too, Stephanie! :)
Now I want to read The Shadow City as I love Marie Rutkoski!
I haven’t read Marie’s books, but this was her “unknown” release I think. The “Winner” series kind of took over. :)
Great that you found so many books set in your state! I haven’t read any of these yet, but The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly sounds fun!
‘Kit Sweetly’ is all kinds of fun from all I remember. :) Enjoy if you read it!
I haven’t read any of these but Hello Beautiful was set in Chicago and it was a beautiful story.
That’s a new to me title! Glad to know you enjoyed a story set in Chicago. I’ll have to look that one up. :)
I’ve read a lot of books set in Illinois, mostly Chicago, but I haven’t read any of these.
It wasn’t hard to find authors from the state where I live (Arizona), but I hadn’t read many of their books. Oops!
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
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. :)
I think I would have gotten further with my list today if I had chosen books set in my state, instead of authors living in my state! You were smart, LOL! So many fun books represented here. Have a great week!
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. :)
Dear Mr. Knightley is on my TBR. I love Jane Austen read-alikes! I’d forgotten about it. THanks for the reminder.
Fun! Hope you enjoy Dear Mr. Knightley. It was a favorite debut of mine at the time. :)
That’s Where I got into trouble. Ones I “knew” lived here had moved out of state. LOL!
Uh-oh! That is trouble… and makes the research portion of list making frustrating. ;D
I don’t know much about Illinois but some of these books look like a good place to start reading about it!
If you read any, hope you enjoy! :)
Oooh, Illinois is a state that I haven’t been to yet. I’ve heard good things about Chicago, and it looks like Illinois is conducive to writing with these authors. So many books on this list sound really good!
Maybe someday, right? That’s what I say about all the places I’d love to see. :)