The novel “The Hotel New Hampshire” by John Irving follows the eccentric Berry family as they navigate life, love, and loss while running a series of unconventional hotels.
The story spans generations and locations, including a struggling hotel in New Hampshire and later an outlandish hotel in Vienna.
It mixes humor with darker themes, offering unforgettable moments such as the presence of a cranky bear and a taxidermied dog named Sorrow that becomes part of the family’s lore. Through their adventures, the family faces tragedy and triumph in equal measure.
The novel “A Separate Peace” by John Knowles is set at a boarding school in New Hampshire during World War II. It follows two friends, Gene and Phineas, whose complicated bond is marked by jealousy and loyalty.
One pivotal scene involves a tree by the river, where a moment of betrayal changes their lives forever. The story explores growth, guilt, and the effects of war on the innocence of youth.
“Peyton Place” by Grace Metalious dives into the lives of residents in a small, seemingly quiet New Hampshire town. Beneath its polished surface, the story uncovers secrets, scandals, and struggles that shape the characters’ lives.
It follows Allison MacKenzie, a young woman with dreams of becoming a writer, and explores themes of class, ambition, and the facade of perfection in a community with hidden darkness.
Anita Shreve’s “Fortune’s Rocks” tells the story of Olympia Biddeford, a young woman spending the summer at her family’s seaside home in New Hampshire in the late 19th century.
She becomes involved in a scandalous affair with a much older man, a married doctor, which dramatically alters her life. The novel explores themes of passion, betrayal, and redemption against the backdrop of the rugged New England coast.
The book “A Prayer for Owen Meany” by John Irving tells the story of John Wheelwright and his unforgettable friend, Owen Meany. Set in a small New Hampshire town, it follows their lives as Owen believes he is an instrument of God with a destiny to fulfill.
The story is full of humor, heartbreak, and deeper questions about faith and fate. Owen’s unique voice and unwavering conviction are central to the novel, leaving a lasting impression on everyone he meets.
“The Weight of Water” by Anita Shreve weaves two stories set on Smuttynose Island in New Hampshire. A modern-day photographer investigates a brutal double murder that happened on the island in 1873.
As she uncovers details of the crime, her own life unravels, revealing hidden truths and personal struggles that mirror the unease of the past.
Jodi Picoult’s “Salem Falls” tells the story of Jack St. Bride, a former teacher who moves to the small town of Salem Falls after a wrongful conviction derails his life. Jack hopes for a fresh start but quickly becomes a target of suspicion when accusations surface again.
Layered with secrets and past wounds, the story explores the ripple effects of lies and the power of community judgment.
The book “Amos Fortune, Free Man” by Elizabeth Yates tells the story of Amos, an African prince who is captured and sold into slavery. He eventually gains his freedom and settles in Jaffrey, New Hampshire.
Amos builds a life for himself, always holding onto his principles of hard work, generosity, and dignity despite the hardships he faces.
Stephen King wrote “The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon,” a story about a young girl named Trisha who gets lost in the woods during a family hike.
As she struggles to survive, her only comfort comes from listening to baseball games on her Walkman, especially when her favorite player, Tom Gordon, is on the field.
Alone in the wilderness, she faces hunger, fear, and a growing sense that something unseen and dangerous may be tracking her.