The novel “Chicago” by Alaa Al Aswany takes readers to the heart of the city, focusing on a group of Egyptian expats connected to the University of Illinois. It paints a vivid picture of their personal and political struggles as they navigate life far from home.
The characters deal with challenges like cultural clashes, secrets, and ambitions, creating a rich tapestry of human emotion and conflict.
The book “The Jungle” by Upton Sinclair follows Jurgis Rudkus, a Lithuanian immigrant who arrives in Chicago seeking a better life. He finds work in the stockyards, where the harsh realities of exploitation, poverty, and corruption come to light.
The story exposes the brutal conditions of labor and unsanitary practices in the meatpacking industry, painting a vivid picture of life in the city’s industrial underbelly.
The book “Native Son” by Richard Wright follows the life of Bigger Thomas, a young Black man in 1930s Chicago. After taking a job with a wealthy white family, he becomes entangled in a crime that spirals out of control, exposing harsh truths about race and class.
The story shines a light on the systemic oppression and fear that shape Bigger’s world, leaving readers questioning the society that created him.
Edna Ferber wrote “So Big,” a novel about Selina Peake DeJong, a teacher who marries a farmer and faces the challenges of rural life near Chicago. The story follows her struggles to support her son, nicknamed “So Big,” while holding on to her ideals and creativity.
Her determination shapes her son’s future, though he later confronts his own choices in life. The book paints a vivid picture of personal sacrifice and the search for meaning.
“Dandelion Wine” by Ray Bradbury captures the summer of 1928 through the eyes of twelve-year-old Douglas Spaulding in the fictional town of Green Town, Illinois.
The book explores moments from Douglas’ life, from the joy of running barefoot in the grass to grappling with change and loss. It weaves personal discoveries with small-town charm, blending nostalgia with a deeper understanding of life’s fleeting nature.
“Ordinary People” by Judith Guest looks at the life of the Jarrett family in suburban Illinois. The story focuses on Conrad, a teenage boy grappling with guilt and depression after his brother’s death, and his parents, who struggle to connect with him and each other.
The novel gives a close look at their attempts to piece their lives back together while dealing with buried emotions and strained relationships.
Ray Bradbury’s “Something Wicked This Way Comes” tells the story of two young boys, Jim and Will, in a small Illinois town where a mysterious traveling carnival arrives. The carnival, led by the eerie Mr. Dark, offers people their deepest desires but at a terrible cost.
As the boys uncover its secrets, they face chilling dangers and must find a way to protect the town and themselves from its dark power.
The novel “The Adventures of Augie March” by Saul Bellow follows Augie, a young man from a working-class Jewish family in Chicago, as he drifts through life trying to figure out where he belongs.
Augie finds himself in a mix of odd jobs and relationships, meeting quirky characters along the way. The story captures the energy of the city and the struggles of someone searching for purpose in a chaotic world.
Andy Van Slyke and Rob Rains tell a story in “Curse: Cubs Win! Cubs Win! or Do They?” that blends baseball and mystery.
The book imagines a world where the Chicago Cubs break their infamous curse and win the World Series, but celebrations are cut short when strange events threaten their victory.
It’s a mix of sports and chaos, with twists that keep you guessing about what’s really going on behind the scenes.
The book “Divergent” by Veronica Roth takes place in a future Chicago where society is divided into five factions, each representing a different virtue. The story follows Tris Prior, a teenager who discovers she doesn’t fit neatly into any one group, which puts her in danger.
As she navigates this fractured world, secrets about the society’s structure and her own identity come to light, altering everything she thought she knew.
The book “The Man with the Golden Arm” by Nelson Algren tells the story of Frankie Machine, a World War II veteran and card dealer struggling with drug addiction in post-war Chicago.
Set in the gritty streets and bars of the city, it explores his attempts to navigate his troubled marriage, his past demons, and the pull of addiction.
The vivid details of Chicago’s underbelly bring the story to life, giving a raw and unfiltered look at the lives of people on the edge.
Sam Greenlee wrote “The Spook Who Sat by the Door,” a novel about Dan Freeman, the first Black man hired by the CIA. After learning covert tactics, he leaves the agency and uses his knowledge to train young Black men in Chicago to fight against systemic oppression.
The book paints a vivid picture of social struggles in 1960s America and explores themes of race, power, and rebellion.
Audrey Niffenegger’s “The Time Traveler’s Wife” follows the lives of Henry, a man with a genetic condition that causes him to uncontrollably travel through time, and Clare, the woman who loves him despite the chaos it brings.
Set in Chicago, the story traces their relationship as they navigate challenges caused by Henry’s unpredictable disappearances and appearances.
The unique way their love story unfolds, with moments when Clare meets Henry at wildly different ages and stages of his life, keeps the narrative emotionally charged and intriguing.
The book “Downers Grove” by Michael Hornburg is about life as a teenager in a suburban Illinois town. It follows Chrissie, a high school senior dealing with a strange curse that seems to bring deadly accidents to students before graduation.
The story mixes the ordinary struggles of growing up with a darker, ominous edge, creating a unique look at small-town life and its lurking dangers.
Scott Turow wrote “Presumed Innocent,” a legal thriller about Rusty Sabich, a prosecutor who finds himself accused of murdering his colleague and ex-lover.
As the investigation unfolds, secrets from both his personal and professional life come to light, creating a tense courtroom drama. The story takes place in a fictional county in Illinois, where corruption and manipulation lurk behind the scenes.
William Keepers Maxwell, Jr. wrote “So Long, See You Tomorrow,” which captures the quiet heartbreak of rural Illinois in the early 20th century. It follows a man reflecting on his childhood and the friendship he shared with a boy named Cletus.
Their lives are changed by a tragic murder in their small town, which ripples through everything. The story is intimate, focusing on memory, loss, and how events shape who we become.
The book “Blacklist” by Sara Paretsky follows private investigator V.I. Warshawski as she looks into the mysterious death of a journalist found in a wealthy suburb.
Her search leads her to uncover connections between powerful figures and dark secrets tied to political corruption and historical events. The story weaves through Illinois, touching on its social and political landscapes.
“Blood Shot” by Sara Paretsky is a V.I. Warshawski novel that takes the Chicago private investigator back to her old South Side neighborhood. She accepts a favor for a childhood friend, trying to uncover the whereabouts of her father.
What starts as a personal case quickly turns dangerous, pulling V.I. into a web of corruption and environmental crimes tied to a toxic chemical company. The story blends a sense of loyalty to her roots with sharp challenges from the powerful forces she faces.
“Chasing Vermeer” by Blue Balliett is a mystery that follows two sixth-graders, Petra and Calder, in their quest to find a stolen Vermeer painting. As they uncover clues hidden in art, math, and puzzles, their adventure weaves through the streets of Chicago and Hyde Park.
The story mixes logic and intuition, with quirky characters and an air of unpredictability.
The novel “The Great Believers” by Rebecca Makkai focuses on the AIDS epidemic in 1980s Chicago and its long-lasting effects. It follows Yale Tishman, a man working in an art gallery, as he loses friends and navigates love during the crisis.
The story also jumps to 2015, where Fiona, the sister of one of Yale’s friends, searches for her estranged daughter in Paris while reflecting on the past. The book captures the impact of grief and the connections people cling to amid tragedy.
Sandra Cisneros wrote “The House on Mango Street,” a story about Esperanza, a young girl growing up in a poor Chicago neighborhood. The book is a series of vignettes that show her observations about her family, her neighbors, and her dreams of a better life.
Through her eyes, you see her struggles with identity, belonging, and hope for escaping the cycle of poverty she feels trapped in.
The novel “Then We Came to the End” by Joshua Ferris takes readers into the lives of employees at a Chicago ad agency. The story captures the everyday moments and workplace drama of a group of coworkers as they navigate layoffs and personal struggles.
Written with sharp observation and wit, it paints a vivid picture of office life during uncertain times.
“33 Snowfish” by Adam Rapp tells the story of three teenagers on the run, each carrying dark secrets and haunted pasts. The group includes a boy who has stolen a baby, a girl escaping abuse, and another boy caught in a cycle of guilt.
Their journey through desolate Midwest settings highlights their struggles to find hope and redemption in a world that feels cold and unforgiving.
Scott Turow’s “The Burden of Proof” follows attorney Alejandro “Sandy” Stern as he uncovers secrets about his late wife’s life after her unexpected suicide.
Set in Illinois, the story revolves around Stern’s personal grief while he takes on a legal case involving a shady financial scheme.
The detailed courtroom scenes and Stern’s investigation into both the case and his own family give the story an absorbing mix of legal drama and emotional depth.
The novel “The Pale King” by David Foster Wallace takes place at an IRS office in Illinois. It follows a group of employees dealing with the monotonous and mind-numbing work of tax collection.
The story gives insight into their personal struggles, quirks, and attempts to find meaning in everyday life. The setting and characters explore themes of boredom, purpose, and humanity in unexpected ways.
“Summer of Night” by Dan Simmons is a haunting tale set in the small town of Elm Haven, Illinois, during the summer of 1960. A group of boys discovers something dark and malevolent lurking in the shadows of an old school building.
Strange events begin to unfold, and the kids must face unimaginable horrors to protect themselves and their community. The story blends childhood adventure with bone-chilling terror, creating an unforgettable atmosphere in a midwestern town.
“Allegiant” by Veronica Roth takes place in a dystopian Chicago where society is split into factions based on human virtues. Tris and Tobias discover shocking truths about their world when they venture beyond the city’s borders.
The book reveals hidden motives behind their faction system and explores the choices they must make to confront these revelations. It’s a story of loyalty, sacrifice, and how far people will go to protect those they love.
Saul Bellow’s “Dangling Man” follows Joseph, a man waiting in Chicago during World War II for his army induction. As days stretch into months, he sinks into isolation and wrestles with questions about freedom, purpose, and his relationships.
Told through his journal entries, the story captures his struggle with the uncertainty of his idle time, set against the backdrop of a city in flux.
“The Deep End of the Ocean” by Jacquelyn Mitchard tells the story of a mother whose three-year-old son vanishes during a class reunion at a busy hotel. The family struggles with the pain of his disappearance, trying to move forward while holding onto hope.
Years later, a boy who looks eerily familiar comes into their lives, forcing them to confront questions about identity and loss.
“The Dresden Files” by Jim Butcher follows Harry Dresden, a wizard working as a private investigator in Chicago. Harry handles cases involving supernatural creatures, dark magic, and mysterious occurrences in the city.
Whether it’s tracking down a rogue warlock or dealing with dangerous faeries, his days are full of chaos and peril. The series blends Chicago’s gritty urban setting with magic and mythical beings, creating a world where the mundane and the magical collide.
Richard Wright wrote “The Outsider,” a novel about Cross Damon, a man who fakes his death after a train accident to escape his troubled life in Chicago. As he starts over, he faces questions about morality, freedom, and the choices he makes.
The story explores a dark and fascinating journey that touches on identity and existential struggles.
Theodore Dreiser wrote “Sister Carrie,” a novel about a young woman named Carrie Meeber who leaves her small-town life in Wisconsin to move to Chicago. She struggles to find her place in the city, navigating poverty and relationships while dreaming of a better life.
The book explores her pursuit of success and the challenges she faces in a rapidly changing, urban world. Carrie’s journey takes her beyond Chicago to New York, reflecting the social and economic realities of the time.
The novel “The Song of the Lark” by Willa Cather follows Thea Kronborg, a young woman from a small Colorado town who discovers her passion for music and grows into a world-renowned opera singer.
Though much of the story is rooted in Colorado, key parts take place in Chicago, Illinois, where Thea trains and begins to shape her artistic ambitions. The book explores her journey as she navigates challenges, sacrifices, and her desire to rise beyond her humble beginnings.