Read about Arizona

The only Arizona book I know of is the historical fiction "These is My Words," by Nancy E. Turner, which is an EXCELLENT book! It's about a young woman trying to make a life for herself and her family in the Arizona Territories after the Civil War.

I hope y'all can recommend some more titles, as I don't know of any other books for this state, and I'm trying to build my list, lol.

Happy reading!

I have a lot of books about the Grand Canyon and a few about other parts of Arizona, but I haven't cataloged all of them yet on LT; these are all nonfiction, and are mostly travel or natural history guides, some somewhat dated. If you are interested in the ones I have cataloged already, they are at http://www.librarything.com/catalog.php?view=rebeccanyc&searchmode=Tags&...

J. A. Jance has written a number of mysteries that take place in Arizona with most of them featuring Joanna Brady, the Sheriff of Cochise County. Having lived in this area for a short time many years ago I was surprised and pleased with how much I recognised in her descriptions and interested in the changes that have occurred since my time there.

And, how could I forget, the Tony Hillerman mysteries, all (?) of which are set on the Navajo reservation and involve Navajo characters.

hailelib, I will have to look for those J. A. Jance mysteries, as I've spent a little bit of time there too.

I'll chime in with ArmyAngel about how good These Is My Words is. Turner followed it up with Sarah's Quilt, which I haven't read yet.

J.A. Jance grew up in Bisbee, Arizona, which is where the books are set. My husband and I spent our honeymoon in Bisbee, at the Copper Queen Hotel. If you've read Jance's Joanna Brady books, you can find your way around Bisbee--and Cochise County.

Living in Arizona and loving it as I do, I have a lot of books about the state. Since I'm a mystery reader, I love finding mysteries set here. Others have already mentioned Tony Hillerman and J.A. Jance, so I'll try to list some others off the top of my tired head...

J.A. Jance has also written a few books set in Tucson--Day of the Dead and Hour of the Hunter come to mind.

Jon Talton has written the David Mapstone series set in metro Phoenix. Concrete Desert is the first.

David Cole has written a series about part-Hopi computer hacker Laura Winslow. Butterfly Lost is the first.

Betsy Thorton has written a series centering on Victim Advocate Chloe Newcombe set in Bisbee (called Dudley in the books). The Cowboy Rides Away is the first.

Betty Webb has written a series about P.I. Lena Jones set in metro Phoenix. Desert Noir is the first.

There are several other, non-mystery, books set in Arizona, but I'm tired enough to where I either can't think of the title...or I can't think of the author! Let me know if you want more, and I'll jumpstart the grey matter.

High Tide in Tucson by Barbara Kingsolver-- a collection of essays that will just take you away. Stunning stuff. Some of her fiction is set in Arizona, and it's all worth reading. The Bean Trees and Animal Dreams are two.

This is my next state. If you haven't already, please list good fiction and nonfiction for Arizona.

Note: While I like to read memoirs, I'd prefer to read about the state itself rather than someone who lives or grew up there.

I'll second the Barbara Kingsolver stuff from #8 - I haven't read High Tide in Tucson, but her essays are typically really good, and her fiction is fantastic.

I have read High Tide in Tucson and while it is a lovely book, I wouldn't read it as a book on or about Arizona. Only a few of the stories are actually set in AZ and revolve more about her life there than the state itself. Other stories are about her stay in Spain, her childhood in Kentucky or her visit to Benin.
So I recommend it because of the wonderful stories, but not to have in insight into Arizona.

For Arizona, I'm going to go with Desert Heat by J. A. Jance for fiction and The Hidden Canyon by John Blaustein for nonfiction. That is unless someone comes up with a different recommendation that wows me.

I'd love to give you touchstones but neither work.

touchstones are working now...

Desert Heat by J.A. Jance
The Hidden Canyon by John Blaustein

The Lament of Charlie Longsong by Roch Carrier

Try Going back to Bisbee by Richard Shelton

Here's a list of lots of fiction and nonfiction for Arizona...

http://avidreader25.blogspot.com/2012/01/reading-states-arizona.html