From hiking along the first trails to chatting over a cup of coffee, there are a multitude of romantic ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Santa Cruz—but sometimes the best company is that of a really great book!
Searching for your next favorite read? Here are some of our top picks for novels set in California, spanning a range of genres as diverse as the state itself.
Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
Science Fiction (Dystopian)
Originally published in the early 90s, Parable of the Sower takes place in the year 2024, and follows the main character, Lauren. After a series of events in her small, protected community, Lauren treks across the northern Californian wilderness to find safety, and in the process founding her own religion, Earthseed.
The novel, true to Butler’s style, explores social issues prevalent both at the time of being published and now, including poverty and capitalism, gender and race inequality, religion, and climate change. Parable of the Sower also has a sequel, entitled Parable of the Talents.
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
Literary Fiction
Set in San Francisco, The Joy Luck Club is considered a groundbreaking novel, as it was a finalist for the National Book Award, and later adapted for the screen—the first Hollywood film with an all Asian cast.
The Joy Luck Club is a story about the intersecting lives of four mothers, all of whom are Chinese immigrants, and their daughters. The four old women meet at church and form the titular Joy Luck Club, wherein they chat and play mahjong. The book also has an unconventional narrative structure, told in short segments that feel like snapshots of their very different lives.
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
Memoir/Non-Fiction
Another book-turned-movie, Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail is a 2012 memoir that details author Cheryl Strayed’s journey of over a thousand miles on the Pacific Crest Trail.
The trail itself begins in southern California, right at the US-Mexico border, before it weaves through forest and mountains of seven national parks—including Yosemite—and ending in Washington state, at the Canadian border. Strayed’s memoir details the struggles that she faced along the way as a single (and inexperienced) traveler, interspersed with anecdotes about her own life, ultimately culminating in personal enlightenment.
In a Lonely Place by Dorothy B. Hughes
Classic Noir Thriller
Published in 1947, In a Lonely Place separates itself from other thrillers of the time. Set in Los Angeles after the second World War, the story centers around the main character Dix Steele, a former combat pilot who is new to the city, and the wave of murders that are quickly building up. Aiding his friend Brub, a detective, and Brub’s wife, Dix attempts to pursue his dream girl, a seemingly-stereotypical femme fatale named Laurel Gray, all whilst the police are zeroing in on their potential suspects.
Hughes’ novel examines misogyny and male entitlement. The novel was later made into a film of the same name starring Humphrey Bogart, although significant changes to the plot and characters were made.
& More
Writers have long set their novels and stories in beautiful California, taking inspiration from the stunning landscapes and the vibrant cities. Discover more titles below:
- East of Eden by John Steinbeck
- Fadeout by Joseph Hansen
- Play It as It Lays by Joan Didion
- Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley
Enjoy the best of what Santa Cruz County has to offer. Contact Lauren Spencer today to learn more about the area, and find your dream home.
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