Legendary Books Based In Illinois That Everyone Should Read

Illinois is a popular state for many different reasons, but what many often forget is just how much our iconic state has been featured in some legendary books. Here's a list of just a few to jog your memory or add to your must-read list.

Books are my favorite things in the whole world. To my dismay, most of my paycheck goes to Barnes & Noble hahaha.

I've always loved the feeling and adventure a story could take me on - whether it's solving a mystery with Sherlock Holmes or being engulfed in the legends of King Arthur, it's extremely underrated today. But what even I forgot about was the amazing books that have been based here in the state of Illinois.

Legendary Books You Might've Forgot Were Based in Illinois

I'll start with one that's been on my bookshelf for a LONG time and needs to be read.

The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by Erik Larson

This one's been waiting for me to read it. Taking place in the pre-twentieth century at the World's Fair in Chicago, the book is a true story about Daniel Hudson Burnham, an architect, and Henry H. Holmes, a notorious serial killer. Holmes used the fair to lure victims, while Burnham endured many challenges to transform the area. I NEED to get on reading this book because the themes and history behind it are my cup of tea!

RELATED: 6 Hot Spots Where You Can Find Free Books For A Lazy Day in Rockford

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

A classic, I remember reading this book in school. While the book takes place along the Mississippi River, a big chunk of it does actually happen in Illinois. One fun fact I love about this book is that it was one of the (if not, the actual first) books to use written dialect to emulate accents.

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The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

I'll end on a book from my favorite genre hehe. I just remember seeing the movie because I'm a Rachel McAdams fan and I enjoyed it. Clearly it's been a while though because I had no clue that it was based in Illinois, but it apparently is! Who knew?

Let me know some of your favorite books and any other Ilinois-based books that I need to add to my list. If you're like me and a total bookworm, here are some more fun facts about books and movies that you might not have known!