From great American classics to beloved young adult books, Ohio has served as the setting for several successful novels and short story collections—though not always for the heartfelt, wholesome kind of tales.
1) Beloved
Set in 1873 but published in 1987, this classic by Toni Morrison tells the story of an African American slave who fled to Ohio to escape slavery in Kentucky.
2) Absolutely Normal Chaos
The journal and setting of this witty, middle school character's summer happenings are based in Euclid.
3) Winesburg, Ohio
A fictional town with a nonfictional name, this short story cycle by Sherwood Anderson was actually based loosely on the author's childhood memories of Clyde, Ohio.
4) My One Square Inch of Alaska
Siblings leave their 1950s industrial Ohio town with a canine companion for the adventure of their lifetime in this novel by Sharon Short.
5) A Shoot in Cleveland
This mystery novel by Les Roberts depicts a murder mystery intertwined with a movie shoot.
6) Knockemstiff
Donald Ray Pollock presents grim fictional stories of the small town Knockemstiff.
7) Unwind
This young adult, futuristic novel by Neal Shusterman is set in Ohio, though no town or county is specified.
8) Out of My Mind
The story of a girl who can't speak or write by New York Times bestselling author Sharon Draper takes place in Ohio.
9) Bet Me
This romance novel by Jennifer Cruise is based on a small city in Ohio.
10) Wench
Set in a resort hotel in Ohio before the civil war, this novel, by Dolen Perkins-Valdez, follows the lives of four women at a resort popular among slaveholders who bring their enslaved mistresses.
What other books do you know of that are Ohio inspired?
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!