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Twenty Books That Capture California
20
items My home state of California is huge and populous and diverse, so twenty books won’t come close to representing the cultures, locations, and ideas of the state. But it was fun to come up with a list anyway!
Sections
6
Coastal Southern California
Inland Empire
Central Valley
Central Coast
Bay Area
Northern California
Coastal Southern California
Some of these settings are not necessarily right on the coast, but I mean this to indicate the populous areas in Southern California that are not in Riverside or San Bernardino counties
Captures the dark side of Hollywood, although it starts with her hometown in Orange County. This memoir isn’t good for a celebrity memoir—it’s just really really good. McCurdy employs immersive detail, complex characterization, and sharp writing to t...
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy, Hardcover
A flawed and somewhat unhinged alcoholic protagonist juggles sapphic relationships and attempts to revive her writing career after being cancelled online.
Perfume and Pain: A Novel by Anna Dorn, Paperback
A 1966 classic. It sold more copies than any other book that year. About three young women who pursue work in the entertainment industry. Other locations beyond LA are featured prominently too.
Valley of the Dolls 50th Anniversary Edition
Depicts the changing political and cultural dynamics of a Spanish-run Southern California increasingly taken over by American colonizers. Against this backdrop, the orphan Ramona falls in love with a Native American man. Published in 1884.
Ramona by Helen Hunt Jackson, Paperback
A 24-year-old woman with an eating disorder and mommy issues develops a relationship with a devout Jewish woman. Takes place in Los Angeles.
Milk Fed by Melissa Broder, Paperback
True, this disturbing dystopian classic takes place all across the state. But all the more reason to find at least one spot for it, and the majority of the book takes place near Los Angeles. Also, Butler is from Pasadena and a literary icon of Southe...
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler, Paperback
What would Orange County be without the Vietnamese community? Here, the women across generations of one family are portrayed in both CA and Asia. Pretty light and humorous.
The Fortunes of Jaded Women: A Novel by Carolyn Huynh, Paperback
A queer woman excavates the memories of being preyed upon by her eighth-grade teacher in the Valley.
Excavation: A Memoir by Wendy C. Ortiz, Paperback
Debut novel of the author who wrote the wildly successful ‘The Vanishing Half.’ Grief, pregnancy, religion, and friendship are all explored topics. Takes place in San Diego County, where Bennett is from.
The Mothers by Brit Bennett, Paperback
Inland Empire
Counting San Bernardino/Riverside counties.
An indigenous employee of the California Highway Patrol is inextricably tied to his killing of a man during his first year on the job.
Mecca by Susan Straight, Paperback
Central Valley
The valley that encompasses cities like Bakersfield, Fresno, Stockton, Sacramento, Chico, and Redding. Lots of agriculture here.
About a girl and her mother who are part of a misogynistic religious cult (check CWs). I found the writing strong, the topics interesting, and the setting realized. I also appreciated the touches of bizarre details that added a little humor in the ot...
Godshot by Chelsea Bieker, Paperback
A short story collection centering Cambodian Americans in the Central Valley and the Bay Area. Written by a promising young author who tragically died suddenly.
Afterparties: Stories by Anthony Veasna So, Paperback
A mother serves two consecutive life sentences in prison. Takes place in 2003, but was published in 2018.
The Mars Room: A Novel by Rachel Kushner, Paperback
Central Coast
Just Salinas hanging out here! Anyone know any San Luis Obispo books?
The tragic classic about two friends who work as migrant workers in Salinas Valley during the Great Depression.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, Paperback
Bay Area
Oakland/SF/North Bay all feature.
The title already introduces all the featured topics! It does not communicate Brogan’s strong writing, however. Takes place in Santa Rosa (she herself acknowledges that Sonoma County is not always accepted as part of the Bay).
Holding: A Memoir About Mothers, Drugs, and Other Comforts
The highly acclaimed 2018 debut novel about 12 Native Americans in Oakland. Readers learn how each character has their own distinct reason for showing up to the big powwow.
There There by Tommy Orange, Paperback
An engaging story about figuring out gender and sexuality, starting with a childhood in rural Sonoma County and ending after attending art school in San Francisco.
Gender Queer: A Memoir - Maia Kobabe
Debut novel from the beloved author Amy Tan. Centers four Chinese immigrant women in post-WWII San Francisco. First published in 1989.
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, Paperback
Northern California
An often-overlooked region, both within literature and in general.
A YA queer thriller centering a disabled protagonist trying to find out who killed her best friend.
Far From You by Tess Sharpe, Paperback
About the devastating 2018 fire that killed 85 people. Written by two California-based journalists. Published in 2020.
Fire in Paradise: An American Tragedy