10 great fiction books set in the US to take you on a tour of the nation

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Louisiana, America

A story about twin sisters Desiree and Stella, spanning 40 years. They run away from their village Mallard that has no existence on the maps of America.

One of them returns with her black daughter after abandoning an abusive life with her Black Husband. The other one decides to never return to her black life after she accepts life as a white woman married to a rich, white man.

But destiny has other plans.

Their daughters meet and everything changes. Their beliefs, their truths, and their lives. Do not miss this alluring fiction work written by a contemporary black author about the sordid details of a life of honest lies.

Washington D.C.

My first LGBTQ romance read. I’m glad I picked it up. Enemies-turned-lovers classic plot between sons of very important families. One the First Son of America, Alex, and the other the most eligible bachelor of British Royalty, Henry.

The sizzling chemistry between the couple in love, the vamps role of media bringing the dirty laundry of the celebrities in the public, and the mammoth task of trying to sweep the next US elections amidst all the chaos make for a compelling read. Good book for those looking to make headway in the genre.

North Carolina, America

Kya is the Marsh Girl. A girl abandoned by her family who lives alone in the North Carolina marshes since she was seven. But her lonely life and activities in her life have transformed her into something she never believed would happen to her. And then the unthinkable happens. The body of the most eligible bachelor in town is found ashore the marshes, and all fingers point to the Marsh Girl.

This novel is as much a coming-of-age YA Romance as a shocking mystery novel. The beautiful landscape will have you hooked and mesmerizing Kya will warm your heart.

A charming story of undying, forever-kind-of love. Classic will she-won’t she kind of intriguing twist to the story makes it real and fascinating. I loved the romantic quotes and dialogues by the hero more than anything in this one. They will melt the coldest of hearts.

If you’re looking to read a romance that is not YA, and yet classy, pick this one for sure. The movie based on the novel has a beautiful couple playing the central characters that also adorn the book's cover.

Jackson, Mississippi, America

Black maids are supposed to work in white houses, forever. Although they are not supposed to mingle anywhere near them in supermarkets or libraries or even among kids at schools. But these maids are supposed to raise white children until the kids grow up to realize the truth that they’re supposed to stay away from colored folks.

The contradictions in the story and raw emotions and dialogue between the characters will pinch your heart and make you shed tears of laughter as well as remorse. This book hasn’t received as much love as it deserves.

Alabama, United States

Atticus Finch is the attorney for a black man charged with molesting a white girl. There lies the problem. The people of the small town of Alabama did not expect him to take up the defense of a black man. But Atticus Finch has another problem to solve. He needs to teach his kids Jem and Scout the value of justice, the value of not being a bully, the value of an honest man’s life.

I highly recommend this book. I will not be able to put in words my fascination with this book. It might be the easy wit and humor of Scout and Jem or righteous character of Atticus or maybe the courtroom drama during the sensational hearing of the case, or it might be the surprising Boo Radley. Something or everything about this story captured my heart.

Indianapolis, United States

Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters are two unique people who share a commonality. They are barely teenagers, and yet they have limited time left in their lives. The culprit - Cancer.

A story of pure love, sacrifice, and friendship that will bring tears to your eyes. The witty, and snarky dialogue between Gus and Hazel will also wipe out those tears and make you smile instead. Classic YA romance that will warm your hurts on a winter morning.

New York City, America

A New York psychiatrist is suffering through the loss of her husband and daughter. She hasn’t left her house for months. She is in the habit of watching the neighbors through her window that overlooks the entire neighborhood. On the arrival of her new neighbors, she watches something she’s not supposed to see. And then her life is in danger. But where will she go? She cannot leave her house.

This psychological thriller has plenty of twists to keep you turning pages. And the penultimate reveal will have you reeling.

Philadelphia, United States

Dead Air by Michael Bradley

Kaitlyn Ashe has everything. A great job as a radio jockey, a great boyfriend, and she’s happy. Only she knows she’s hiding terrible secrets in her past. A life she ran away from-The Shallows. But now someone from the past is stalking her. Sending her messages and even threatening to reveal her secret.

I recommend this one as an audiobook. The narration by Rachel Fulginiti is superlative.

Fictional Republic of Gilead

A world where fertile women called handmaids has been captured in a world that is on the verge of extinction due to the epidemic of infertility. All the handmaids need to do is bear children for the High Generals in the Republic of Gilead. Only the need to do so while confined in a room, wearing a red uniform, having abandoned their real life and real family, and in the presence of the Generals’ wives.

Classic dystopia, written by a master story-teller and a literary queen. A must-read.

Spot a favorite? Let me know in the comments below.