Top 8 Books Set in New York State
Does quarantine have you missing the atmosphere and energy that comes with exploring New York? Books can provide hours of entertainment and escape through their pages. Although the rustle of pages can hardly replace the hustle and bustle of the city, these eight New York-based books can get you wrapped up in action while keeping you safely socially distanced. Here are our recommendations:
A Tree Grows In Brooklyn — Betty Smith
This 1940s classic tells the story of Francie Nolan as she comes of age in the slums of Williamsburg. Though raw and often heartwrenching, the story offers comfort through its realism and portrayal of universal experiences. Although Francie's New York is one of decades-past, the spirit, life, and people shown through Smith's work will ring familiar to readers of all ages.
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay — Michael Chabon
A young Jewish artist goes from Nazis to NYC at the beginning of Chabon's Pulitzer Prize-winning epic. Together with his cousin, he sets out to capitalize on the latest trend: comic books. This hefty novel will fly by as the city receives a superhero-ic ovation and the readers receive an unforgettable plot.
Harriet the Spy — Louise Fitzhugh
Revisit a sixties classic with your kids! Harriet the Spy, a habitual people-watcher and relentless snoop, as become a more relatable figure than ever as we're forced to view others from a distance of at least six feet. When Harriet's gossip-filled, slanderous notebook is discovered by her peers, a hilarious and light-hearted adventure ensues.
City of Girls — Elizabeth Gilbert
Though a 2020 release, Gilbert's City of Girls delivers the whimsy and light that the year has been lacking. Set against the 1940s theatre scene, our protagonist Vivian Morris discovers a world of sex, showgirls, and scandal when she is sent to live with her Aunt Peg in Manhattan. Filled with love, joy, and a lot of laughs, Gilbert captures the heart of the city within her pages.
Passing — Nella Larsen
Presenting commentary on race, prejudice, and emotion, Nella Larsen's Passing has been making a splash since its release in 1929. Irene Redfield's idyllic life is thrown into turmoil when she is reconnected with a childhood friend. Clare Kendry, a black woman, begins passing for white following the death of her father. She quickly finds herself entrenched in a web of lies... and married to a racist husband.
A Little Life — Hanya Yanagihara
This critically acclaimed tome from NYC resident Yanagihara is not for the faint of heart. When four friends move to New York, they have no idea what lies ahead of them. Faced with poverty, prejudice, and no shortage of trauma, this examination of their decades-long friendship will tug at (or completely break) your heartstrings. Perfect for... people who bought too many tissues in prep for quarantine?
The City We Became — N.K. Jemisin
The first book in a new fantasy series, The City We Became personifies the spirit of New York in the form of five unforgettable characters. In this one-of-a-kind ode to all-things New York, they'll fight to preserve the heart and culture of the state we all love so much.
The Alienist — Caleb Carr
This historical fiction adventure allows you to become a criminologist in Gilded Age New York. With suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat, you're sure to quickly finish the first of Dr. Laszlo Kreizler's adventures. But don't worry! There are more books in the series, and a TV show, to keep you occupied.
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