10 (literary) reasons to be proud to be an American [4th of July special]

It’s American Independence Day, and as a celebration I want to take a break from our regular review schedule to recognize some of the literary greatness that has come from the good old U.S of A. These are all books I’ve personally read and they each represent a different aspect of American history and culture. Without further ado: 10 books by American authors about America (listed in neither chronological order nor order of quality).

• The “Little House” series by Laura Ingalls Wilder

A childhood favorite of mine, this series of nine memoirs acts as a charming account of life on the prairie in the mid-19^th century. While certain aspects were dramatized for literary effect, the heart of the story is true. If you’ve never read any of these, pick up either Little House in the Big Woods or Little House on the Prairie as a starting point, and even if you don’t feel compelled to read them all, just one will make you appreciate modern technology and the struggles of Americans past.

• “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck

While the definitive Great Depression novel by Steinbeck is definitely The Grapes of Wrath, I must admit I haven’t read that one yet. I have read Of Mice and Men, though, and while it’s not so explicitly a Great Depression book, it’s definitely a product of its time. George and Lennie have trouble keeping a job for reasons completely separate from the economy, and even their modest dreams of having a little farm with some pet rabbits becomes further out of reach with each passing day. This book is awesome, and it’s also really short, so definitely worth checking out.

• “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Written during the “Roaring Twenties,” Fitzgerald seemed to foresee the shallowness of the prosperity in that time and wrote a book with some of the shallowest main characters ever. In a post-depression world, it’s easy to see where we went wrong before, but it’s interesting to see that some could see the problems before the consequences came to pass. This book is hit-or-miss for many, but it was a hit for me.

• “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury

While Fitzgerald examined his concerns about society by looking around him, Bradbury examines his by looking forward to a dystopian future. Written in the 1950’s as a response to Cold War fears and technological innovations, such as the television, Fahrenheit 451 is one of the most famous dystopian novels of all time. It’s most famous for its use of book burning as a plot point, but there’s a lot more to unpack within its pages. If you haven’t already, definitely give it a shot.

• “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

This book was written in the 1850’s and takes place in a puritan village from the 1600’s, but the themes presented in it are still very relevant today. With the rise of online shaming and “cancel culture,” any mistake we make has the possibility of getting stamped on our reputation forever. While the book itself is a bit of a slog to read, it’s still an important piece of American literary canon.

• “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger

Another “hit-or-miss” book, The Catcher in the Rye was taught to me as a book about teen angst and anxieties. It’s clear that Holden, the protagonist and narrator, overthinks and worries about everything, but he doesn’t seem to have much reason to feel that way, which is probably why he’s one of the most hated characters in literature (only a slight exaggeration). Complaints are like kids—we like them when they are our own. While the struggles of young adulthood are not an inherently American topic, it’s hard to imagine the various scenes taking place anywhere else. Even if you end up hating it, you should give it a try, so you can be confident in your conclusion.

• “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien

Vietnam War veteran Tim O’Brien tells his truth of his time overseas and life after service through the fictional Tim O’Brien, the self-insert protagonist. This is one of those books that makes less sense the more you find out what is true and not true within it. O’Brien swaps between chapters depicting his service and “autobiographical” chapters about him going back to Vietnam with his daughter and writing the book. However, the real Tim O’Brien doesn’t even have a daughter, so that was all fake too. But he did really serve in Vietnam. My American Lit teacher in high school did her best to explain it, but my class wasn’t having it. But, the parts that take place in Vietnam are fantastic. Heart of Darkness may be the definitive Vietnam war book (which I admittedly haven’t read yet), but The Things They Carried easily holds its own.

• “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee

My personal thoughts on this book as a whole aside (spoiler alert I didn’t like it), this is one of the most influential and famous American novels of all time, and its strength lies completely in its message. Systemic racism, sadly, is something that has left its mark on American history in a way unique to most other countries. Lee shows the real truth of the matter with the link between corrupt justice and racism rampant in the Jim Crow era of the American South. When the book explores that, it shines bright. I just wish Lee had focused more on it.

• “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller

Knowing me, it’s only fitting that I squeezed one play on this list. While Miller is best known for “The Crucible,” he shows an equally pessimistic story here. “Death of a Salesman” was written in the 1950’s when the U.S. was consumed by an unprecedented consumerism and a need to “have it all…and then some.” Needless to say, the titular salesman does not meet that impossible standard. There’s a lot to unpack in this story about unmet expectations and the changing times but the overarching theme is definitely the dismantling of the idea of the “American Dream.” It’s not a happy read, but it’s an important one.

• “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls

The most recently-written entry on this list (2005), The Glass Castle is a memoir about Walls’ wholly dysfunctional upbringing and how she grew out of it. This genre (sad true stories) is the only type of books my mom reads, and she did recommend this to me many years ago now, and I still remember it. It serves as a reminder that you can overcome anything. So, while this isn’t a happy book by any means, the fact that it was written at all, and the ending where you see how Jeannette’s life has improved since her childhood, serves as a beacon of hope for anyone currently struggling.

From me to you, wherever you are, Happy 4^th of July, and happy reading!