The book “The Known World” by Edward P. Jones explores the lives of people connected to a plantation in Virginia before the Civil War. It centers on the story of Henry Townsend, a Black man who was once enslaved but becomes a slave owner himself.
The novel moves through the perspectives of various characters, showing how slavery affects everyone in the community. Complex relationships, moral struggles, and personal histories come together as the story unfolds.
“My Monticello” by Jocelyn Nicole Johnson is set in a near-future Virginia where climate change and social unrest have escalated. The story follows a group of neighbors who flee their homes when violence erupts.
They take refuge in Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, with the narrator, Da’Naisha, reflecting on her ties to Jefferson as a descendant of Sally Hemings. The book highlights themes of belonging and survival in a world that feels increasingly fragile.
The “The Confessions of Nat Turner” by William Styron follows the story of Nat Turner, an enslaved man who leads a rebellion in 1831. The novel is written from Turner’s perspective as he reflects on his life while awaiting execution.
Through his memories, the book explores his upbringing, deep inner struggles, and the events leading up to the revolt. It is a thought-provoking look at a dark chapter in history, imagined through the voice of a man driven to fight against his oppression.
“Misty of Chincoteague” by Marguerite Henry tells the story of Paul and Maureen, a brother and sister living on Chincoteague Island. They dream of owning a wild pony from the annual Pony Penning Day.
When they spot the elusive Phantom, a mare known for her speed and wild spirit, they discover she has a foal, Misty. The story follows their efforts to buy Phantom and Misty, capturing the connection between the children and the island’s wild ponies.
Alex Haley wrote “Roots: The Saga of an American Family,” which follows the story of Kunta Kinte, a young man from Africa who is captured and sold into slavery in America.
The book traces his life and the lives of his descendants, showing their struggles, resilience, and efforts to maintain their connection to their heritage. It paints a vivid picture of the history of slavery and its impact on generations of one family.
Ellen Glasgow wrote “Virginia,” a novel set in early 20th century Virginia. It tells the story of Virginia Pendleton, a gentle and traditional woman who strives to live by the societal expectations placed on her.
As her marriage to a restless, ambitious man unfolds, she struggles to reconcile her loyalty to him with her deeply ingrained beliefs about duty and sacrifice. The book paints a vivid picture of Southern life during a time of changing values.
The novel “The Wettest County in the World” by Matt Bondurant takes place in Prohibition-era Virginia. It follows the real-life Bondurant brothers, moonshiners in Franklin County.
The story dives into their illegal liquor trade and the conflicts they face with law enforcement and local rivals. The book paints a gritty picture of survival, family loyalty, and a world shaped by violence and danger.
Patricia Cornwell’s “Cause of Death” follows Dr. Kay Scarpetta as she investigates the mysterious death of a reporter found in a naval shipyard in Virginia. The case takes her into a world of conspiracy and danger tied to a chilling organization.
Scarpetta’s forensic expertise plays a key role, and the Virginia setting adds a gritty, atmospheric backdrop to the story.
Jeffrey Shaara wrote “Gods and Generals,” a historical novel that focuses on key figures in the American Civil War.
The story explores the lives and decisions of leaders like Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain as they navigate the years leading up to and during the war.
The book gives a close look at the personal and professional struggles of these men while highlighting their roles in pivotal battles such as Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville.
Jeffrey Shaara’s “The Last Full Measure” takes place during the final years of the Civil War, focusing on the lives of key figures like Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee, and Joshua Chamberlain. The story highlights the challenges and decisions they face as the war grinds on.
It captures the toll of leadership in a time of deep conflict, showing both the strategies of battle and the human cost behind them.
John Fox, Jr. wrote “The Trail of the Lonesome Pine,” a story set in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia. It follows the romance between a young engineer named Jack Hale and June Tolliver, a mountain girl from a feuding family.
Their relationship evolves against the backdrop of coal mining coming to the region and the tensions it brings to the isolated mountain community. The book captures a vivid portrayal of life in the mountains, showing the clash between tradition and progress.
Reynolds Price wrote “Kate Vaiden,” a novel about a woman looking back on her tumultuous life in North Carolina and Virginia. Kate, abandoned by her parents at a young age, recounts her story with raw honesty.
Her search for love and connection leads her through a series of relationships and choices that deeply shape her path. The book is filled with vivid moments, from her time spent with relatives in Virginia to the secrets she uncovers as she reflects on her past.
“The Water Dancer” by Ta-Nehisi Coates tells the story of Hiram Walker, a young man born into slavery on a Virginia plantation. After losing his mother and discovering his extraordinary memory and otherworldly powers, Hiram embarks on a journey toward freedom.
The book explores his connection to family, identity, and the Underground Railroad, creating a story rooted in loss, resilience, and liberation.
The book “All the Sinners Bleed” by S. A. Cosby follows Titus Crown, a former FBI agent who becomes the first Black sheriff of a small town in Virginia.
When a school shooting shocks the community, Titus discovers connections to a string of unsolved murders, exposing dark secrets that force him to face the town’s hidden truths as well as his own past.
Patricia Cornwell’s “Cruel and Unusual” follows Dr. Kay Scarpetta as she investigates a murder that seems linked to a man who was executed on death row.
While Scarpetta examines the evidence, strange connections and anomalies begin to surface, pointing to something far stranger than a straightforward crime.
The book weaves through the forensic details Scarpetta uncovers while the tension builds around questions of innocence and guilt.
William Styron’s “Lie Down in Darkness” tells the story of a deeply troubled Southern family in mid-20th century Virginia. The novel focuses on the Loftis family as they deal with heartbreak, resentment, and guilt.
Much of the story centers on the death of Peyton, the daughter, and how her parents’ strained marriage and bitter conflicts contribute to a sense of tragedy that surrounds their lives.
Set against the backdrop of post-war Virginia, the book explores themes of loss and despair through its vivid characters and haunting atmosphere.
“A Picture of Freedom: The Diary of Clotee, a Slave Girl” by Patricia McKissack tells the story of Clotee, a young girl living as a slave on a Virginia plantation in 1859. Clotee secretly learns to read and write, recording her thoughts and experiences in her diary.
Through her eyes, readers see the harsh realities of slavery and her growing desire for freedom. The book highlights her bravery and intelligence as she navigates a dangerous world.
“Razorblade Tears” by S. A. Cosby tells the story of two fathers, one Black and one white, who team up after their married sons are murdered. Though they have little in common, their shared grief and anger push them to seek out the killers.
The men have to confront their own biases and regrets while following a trail of secrets and violence through Virginia’s small towns and backroads.
William Makepeace Thackeray wrote “The Virginians,” a historical novel that follows the lives of two brothers, George and Henry Warrington, during the 18th century.
The story moves between England and colonial Virginia, exploring family loyalty, personal ambition, and the influence of historical events like the American Revolution.
The brothers’ contrasting personalities create tension, with George gravitating toward English society, while Henry’s choices tie him more closely to America. Their lives are shaped by adventure, conflict, and the cultural divide between the two worlds.
The novel “Wish You Well” by David Baldacci is the story of siblings Lou and Oz who move to rural Virginia after a family tragedy. Set in the 1940s, the book follows their life on their great-grandmother’s farm, where they face hardships and learn resilience.
The backdrop of the Appalachian mountains adds a rich atmosphere, while the characters’ struggles and connections create a heartfelt narrative.
The novel “The Deliverance” by Ellen Glasgow explores the struggles of a Virginia family after the Civil War. It focuses on the Timberlakes, who lose their wealth and land to a ruthless rival.
The story follows the siblings as they rebuild their lives and navigate challenges tied to pride, loyalty, and love. Set against vivid descriptions of rural Virginia, it captures the shifting dynamics of Southern society during the post-war period.
The novel “Forsaken” by Ross Howell Jr. is set in early 20th-century Virginia and tells the story of a young Black girl, Virginia Christian, who is accused of killing her white employer.
The narrator, a white journalist named Charlie, covers the trial and becomes deeply involved in the case. Through his perspective, the book explores the racial and social tensions of the time, as well as the injustice the young woman faces in a prejudiced legal system.