“Honey in the Horn” by Harold L. Davis is set in early 20th century Oregon. It follows a young man named Clay Calvert, who escapes a troubled situation and travels across the state.
Along the way, he encounters settlers, loggers, and other characters shaping the harsh but hopeful frontier landscape. The novel portrays the challenges and beauty of pioneer life, showing Oregon’s wilderness and the struggles of those trying to make it their home.
Ken Kesey’s “Sometimes a Great Notion” centers on the Stamper family, who run a logging business in a small Oregon town. The story follows their struggles as union tensions rise and family loyalties are tested.
At its heart is Hank Stamper, a tough, stubborn man determined to keep the family business alive, no matter the cost. The novel paints a vivid picture of the Oregon coast with its rain-soaked forests, turbulent rivers, and a small community caught in conflict.
The novel “Jokerman 8” by Richard Melo follows a group of idealistic characters who volunteer for a relief effort in Oregon and South America during the 1980s.
It explores their personal struggles and relationships while they navigate the challenges of activism and the desire to create change. The story has a mix of humor and heartfelt moments, capturing the spirit of a generation searching for purpose.
The novel “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” by Ken Kesey is set in a mental institution in Oregon. It focuses on the power struggle between Randle McMurphy, a rebellious new patient, and Nurse Ratched, who runs the ward with rigid control.
Told through the eyes of Chief Bromden, a long-term patient who pretends to be deaf and mute, the book explores themes of individuality, authority, and the impact of institutional systems on people.
“The River Why” by David James Duncan follows Gus Orviston, a young fly-fishing prodigy, as he escapes his chaotic family to live alone in a cabin near a river in Oregon.
His plan for a simple life focused on fishing doesn’t go as expected, pulling him into questions about love, purpose, and the natural world. Amid humorous encounters and thoughtful moments, Gus’s journey grows into something deeper than his quest for solitude.
“Bongwater” by Michael Hornburg follows David, a young slacker in Portland, as he navigates relationships, heartbreak, and the aimlessness of his life.
The book paints a chaotic picture of the 1990s counterculture scene, with characters who drift through hazy days of drugs and art.
David’s obsession with the free-spirited Courtney adds to the messy, fragmented tone of his world, highlighting both the allure and emptiness of the life he’s stuck in.
Beverly Cleary wrote “Emily’s Runaway Imagination,” a lighthearted story set in a small Oregon farming community during the 1920s. Emily, a young girl with a vivid imagination, tries to bring a library to her quiet town.
Along the way, she gets into funny situations, like accidentally dyeing a horse white when attempting something creative. The book captures the charm of rural life and Emily’s funny, heartfelt efforts to make her world a little bigger.
“Gone, But Not Forgotten” by Phillip Margolin is a thriller set in the city of Portland, Oregon. The story focuses on a serial killer who leaves behind a chilling calling card: a note reading “Gone, But Not Forgotten.”
Years after the murders seem to stop, similar crimes resurface, drawing attorney Betsy Tannenbaum into a dangerous case involving powerful figures and buried secrets. The book is full of twists and tension as the truth begins to unravel.
The novel “Hard Rain Falling” by Don Carpenter tells the story of Jack Levitt, a troubled orphan who drifts through the streets of Portland and San Francisco. Jack’s life takes him through pool halls, jail cells, and fleeting connections with others who share his struggles.
The narrative explores his relationships, including his friendship with Billy Lancing, a Black pool hustler, and his efforts to find meaning in a harsh world that often pushes him aside.
“Last Go Round” by Ken Kesey and Ken Babbs is a historical novel that takes readers to the world of rodeos in the early 20th century.
It centers on the Pendleton Round-Up, a famous rodeo in Oregon, and follows the lives of cowboys, Native American riders, and a variety of unforgettable characters as they prepare for a wild competition.
The story is full of humor, old-school storytelling, and adventure, offering a vivid picture of the American West.
Jennifer L. Holm wrote “Our Only May Amelia,” a story about a young girl growing up in 1899 in the wilderness of Washington, near the Oregon border. May Amelia is the only girl in a family of seven brothers, which makes her life full of challenges and adventures.
She’s a spirited and curious girl who isn’t afraid to question the expectations placed on her, even when others think she’s too wild or stubborn. The story shows what it’s like to live in a pioneer settlement and deals with themes of family, hardship, and identity.
“The Postman” by David Brin tells the story of a drifter in a post-apocalyptic Oregon who stumbles upon an old mail carrier’s uniform. Putting it on, he becomes a symbol of hope and order in a world broken by chaos and despair.
His small act of wearing the uniform inspires others to believe in rebuilding a better society, turning him into an unexpected leader as he faces dangers and challenges in the struggle to reclaim humanity’s lost sense of purpose.
“The Shack” by William P. Young follows Mack, a man struggling with grief after his youngest daughter is abducted during a family trip to Oregon. Years later, he receives a mysterious invitation to the shack where evidence of her murder was found.
There, he encounters three strangers who challenge his understanding of life, faith, and forgiveness in unexpected ways. The story is set against the backdrop of the Oregon wilderness, which adds to the emotional depth of Mack’s journey.
The book “Beezus and Ramona” by Beverly Cleary is about the trials of Beezus, a responsible older sister, as she tries to manage her mischievous younger sister, Ramona.
Ramona’s antics, from ruining Beezus’s birthday cake to causing chaos in unexpected ways, make life challenging for Beezus while also making their relationship unforgettable.
Set in a relatable Oregon neighborhood, the story captures both the frustration and love that come with sibling relationships.
Blake Nelson’s “Paranoid Park” follows a teenage skateboarder in Portland who accidentally causes a man’s death at a train yard. The boy’s life spirals as he grapples with guilt while keeping the incident a secret.
The book paints an intense picture of the city’s youth culture, focusing on the raw and restless energy tied to skateboarding and the shadows it can hide.
“Blue Like Jazz” by Donald Miller is a memoir-style book that explores life, faith, and personal growth in a raw and honest way. Set against the backdrop of Portland, Oregon, the author shares his experiences as he navigates questions about God and doubts about religion.
The book includes stories from his time at Reed College, where he encounters colorful and unconventional characters who challenge his beliefs.
Linda Crew wrote “Children of the River,” a story about a Cambodian teenager named Sundara who flees the Khmer Rouge with her family and ends up in Oregon. Sundara struggles with balancing her traditional upbringing and adapting to life in America.
Her feelings for a boy named Jonathan add to the conflict, as she faces pressure from her family to honor their culture and expectations. The novel explores identity, family, and the challenges of making a new home in an unfamiliar place.
S. M. Stirling wrote “Dies the Fire,” a novel that imagines a world where technology and electricity suddenly stop working. The story focuses on two groups trying to survive in Oregon under these new conditions.
One group, led by Mike Havel, struggles to adapt as they travel through dangerous landscapes. Another, led by Juniper Mackenzie, rebuilds a community using old skills and traditions. The book explores how people cope when their familiar world collapses.
S.M. Stirling’s “The Emberverse series” begins with “Dies the Fire,” where a mysterious event causes all modern technology, electricity, and gunpowder to stop working.
The story follows survivors in Oregon, such as Mike Havel, who leads a small group across dangerous territory, and Juniper Mackenzie, a musician who forms a community rooted in old traditions.
It explores how people adapt in a world transformed overnight, where survival depends on wit, skill, and forming new alliances in a world without machines.
S. M. Stirling’s “A Meeting at Corvallis” takes place in a post-apocalyptic Oregon where modern technology has ceased to work.
The story follows various factions struggling to survive and build new societies, centering on a tense conflict between the Bearkillers and the Portland Protective Association.
The setting is full of medieval-style battles and strategies, with characters navigating a world that relies on swords, bows, and sheer willpower.
The meeting at Corvallis becomes a critical turning point, bringing alliances and betrayals that reshape the fate of these communities.
Shea Ernshaw’s “The Wicked Deep” takes place in the eerie town of Sparrow, Oregon, where the ghostly spirits of three sisters return every summer to drown unsuspecting boys as revenge for their past.
The story follows Penny Talbot as she tries to uncover the truth while dealing with her own involvement in the town’s dark history. The atmosphere is thick with secrets, and the tale balances mystery with moments of unexpected discovery.
The book “Under Wildwood” by Colin Meloy takes readers back to the magical forest of Wildwood, where Prue McKeel faces new threats and challenges.
As Prue searches for answers and tries to navigate a brewing conflict, her friend Curtis finds himself caught in an unexpected situation far from home.
The story expands on the world of Wildwood, introducing strange underground dwellers and deeper mysteries hidden within the forest.
The book “Wildwood” by Colin Meloy takes readers into a magical forest called the Impassable Wilderness, hidden just outside Portland, Oregon.
When Prue’s baby brother is kidnapped by crows and taken into this strange realm, she and her friend Curtis venture inside to rescue him. They discover talking animals, warring factions, and a dangerous queen with her own plans.
The unique setting blends the everyday with the extraordinary, creating a world full of adventure and surprises.
Ann Rule’s “Dead by Sunset” tells the chilling true story of Brad Cunningham, a manipulative and violent man, and the murder of his ex-wife Cheryl Keeton. Set in Oregon, the book explores the twisted dynamics of their relationship and the legal battle that followed her death.
Rule pieces together what happened on that fateful night, showing how Cheryl’s life intersected with a man driven by control and power.
Richard Brautigan’s “The Hawkline Monster: A Gothic Western” is an unusual mix of mystery and dark humor set in the Old West. The story follows two hired guns who are recruited by a pair of odd sisters to hunt down a monster living in their Gothic mansion near the Oregon desert.
As the men explore the house, strange and surreal events begin to unfold, creating a bizarre and unpredictable tale.
“The Sisters Brothers” by Patrick deWitt is a darkly comic Western set in the 1850s. The story follows two brothers, Eli and Charlie Sisters, who work as hitmen for a powerful boss.
They are sent to track down a man named Hermann Kermit Warm, an inventor with a mysterious formula. As they journey from Oregon City to California, they face strange encounters, question their violent lifestyle, and uncover unexpected secrets.
The book “So The Wind Won’t Blow It All Away” by Richard Brautigan tells the story of a lonely boy growing up in a small Oregon town during the 1940s. He reflects on a tragic event from his past when an innocent decision led to heartbreaking consequences.
The narrative moves between his present life and vivid memories of his childhood, filled with small-town characters and quiet moments by ponds, fields, and diners.