Toad with Books

Tennessee, a state in the southeast of the United States, is rich in culture, history, and scenic beauty. Tennessee provides a diverse range of experiences, from the recognizable Appalachian Mountains in the east to the thriving music scenes of places like Nashville and Memphis. Reading literature set in Tennessee gives you the chance to become completely engrossed in the state’s distinct fusion of Southern customs, its influence on American history, and the variety of scenery, from rolling hills to lush forests.

Here are some notable books set in Tennessee:

A Death in the Family

James Agee |1957 | Knoxville

This semi-autobiographical novel is set in Knoxville, Tennessee, and tells the story of a family dealing with the sudden death of a loved one.

Christy

Catherine Marshall | 1967 | Cocke County

This novel details a young woman’s journey to a remote Appalachian village as a teacher, where she discovers the challenges and joys of life in a tight-knit mountain community.

The Firm

John Grisham | 1991 | Memphis

This legal thriller is set in Memphis, Tennessee, and follows the story of a young attorney who becomes entangled with a prestigious law firm with a dark secret.

Flight Behavior

Barbara Kingsolver | 2012 | Rural Tennessee

A thought-provoking novel that explores the impact of climate change on a rural Tennessee town through the discovery of a spectacular natural phenomenon.

The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II

Denise Kiernan | 2013 | Oak Ridge

A riveting historical account of the young women who worked in secret at the Manhattan Project’s Oak Ridge facility during World War II, unaware of the true nature of their contributions to the war effort.

Child of God

Cormac McCarthy | 1973 | Sevier County

This novel is set in Sevier County, Tennessee, and tells the disturbing story of Lester Ballard, a social outcast.

Through these books, you can explore the complexities of its history, the resilience of its people, and the beauty of its natural world, making reading books set in Tennessee an enriching journey into this captivating state’s multifaceted identity.