This content material incorporates affiliate hyperlinks. Once you purchase by way of these hyperlinks, we might earn an affiliate fee.
The setting of a guide can play a large position in its tone and memorability. The very best authors can convey a spot to life and make the story really feel far more actual due to it. That signifies that the selection of the place to set a guide is essential. Many authors merely set their books the place they reside, drawing on their day-to-day lives for inspiration. Others discover locales that match the plot or really feel of the story: noir set in California vs New York, as an example, account for 2 distinct subgenres.
So what are the states that attract authors, and which of them are sorely missing literary illustration? You’ll be able to place your guesses now (sheer inhabitants measurement is an efficient place to begin), however Crossword Solver has finished the work of tallying up all of the U.S. location tags on Goodreads, so let’s dive into their outcomes.
Unsurprisingly, New York takes the primary spot with 4,887 books, and greater than half of the books set there happen in New York Metropolis. California gave it a run for its cash with 4,505 books set there. It has a barely greater unfold of cities featured, although, so taking out the books set in each state’s most populous metropolis would put California on the prime.
Crossword Solver additionally pulled out town in every state the place probably the most books are set. Once more, New York Metropolis is the champion, as I’m certain you’ll be shocked to know. Different well-liked cities to set books in embrace Los Angeles, Chicago, New Orleans, and Boston.
Not all cities appeal to the identical sort of writer, although. Some cities are destined for horror novels, whereas others are the right place for a fantastical story. Earlier than you retain scrolling: are you able to guess town that has the very best share of thriller books set there? What about romance novels?
Some cities are typecast for sure genres, and Bisbee, Arizona is a thriller city. 81% of the books set there are mysteries, together with Desert Heat by J.A. Jance. Personally, I’d be a bit nervous dwelling in a city that appears destined to be the backdrop of a homicide thriller.

On reflection, it is smart that Washington, D.C. is particularly prone to be residence to a thriller. Political thrillers are a standard subcategory, and what higher place to set an American political thriller than its capital? Some of the well-liked examples is Deception Point by Dan Brown. New York can be a preferred thriller locale, with three of its cities making this prime 10.
On the lookout for probably the most romantic metropolis in America? In response to romance novelists, it might simply be Bloomington, Indiana. 93% of the books set there are romance novels! Some of the well-liked is Redemption by Karen Kingsbury. The second place goes to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Each places have a big Amish inhabitants, so it’s doubtless the Amish romance subgenre that’s put them within the prime spots. Do you know Flint, Michigan is a romantic setting too? 82% of the books set there are romances!
Some cities are so central to the historical past of the U.S. {that a} huge share of the books set there are historic fiction. In accordance the Goodreads information, an astounding 100% of the books set at Pearl Harbor are historic fiction. It’s doubtless that books not particularly concerning the Pearl Harbor bombing are tagged extra usually Hawaii or Oahu. Massachusetts and New York are additionally doubtless to supply the backdrop to a historic fiction guide, with New York having three cities on the record and Massachusetts claiming two spots.
Which American cities come to thoughts once you consider fantasy novels? Whereas many fantasy collection happen in different worlds, some place their magic in our world, hidden across the corners of acquainted buildings. Blue Ridge Mountains, Arizona should give off a magical aura, as a result of 31% of the books set there are within the fantasy style, together with This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost.
Sci fi usually takes to the celebs for its settings, however it may well additionally happen on a future Earth. If you wish to go to a spot that’s bought one foot sooner or later, take a look at Sedona, Arizona, the place one in 4 books set there’s a sci fi story, together with River Rising by John A. Heldt.
In case you don’t reside in New York or one other huge metropolis, it may be onerous to search out books that happen close by, so Crossword Solver compiled the information they collected to indicate the books set close to you! Simply enter your zip code to get an inventory of books in a number of genres set close to you.
In case you preferred this publish, you may additionally need to take a look at The Most Translated Books From Every Country In the World and The Most Popular Children’s Books From Every Country in the World.