Friday Mood Recs: 12 novels that have invented, interrogated, and interacted with the idea of America
The much-anticipated weekend has finally arrived. Taylor Swift’s alleged wedding weekend and the 250th anniversary of the founding of American—two things that perhaps once had the potential to be moving and now are more than a little cringe. Perhaps I’ll get inspired and put together a book list inspired by the former, but today it’s all about the 250th.
I taught American Literature to high schoolers for 7 years and absolutely loved it. Am Lit isn’t necessarily my favorite area of classic literature, but it is truly enjoyable to teach to American teenagers. First, you don’t have to go as far back as you do with Brit Lit which, in the curriculum I used, ended the first semester still in the 17th-century. Second, American teens have a fair amount of context for the books they read in Am Lit. Even if they don’t fully grasp the history (though usually they’re learning it simultaneously) they live the a culture created by that history which makes it easier to establish connections between the books and their real lives. Third, many American writers were consciously writing towards a distinctly American style. They wanted to differentiate themselves from British writers and contemplate in their works what it meant to be an American and tell an American story. And that’s interesting!
Today I’m sharing 12 books that I believe have invented, interrogated, and interacted with the idea of America and American identity over the last two centuries. For this list, I have only included books I’ve read and have limited myself to novels. Of course there are many works and books and voices that are missing from this list. I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments! And if you want more thoughts on American Literature from me including a brand new syllabus dropping next Friday, be sure you’re subscribed to the This American Lit section of this newsletter by clicking here and toggling on “This American Lit.”
