Best Books about Boston to Read This Spring Mar 19, 2021
Spring is just around the corner, and we’re all looking forward to more outdoor excursions and gorgeous afternoons spent in the park or along the waterfront. At Ora, our landscaped courtyard is the perfect setting to enjoy the warm weather and fresh air with a great book. If you’re looking for your next Spring read, we have you covered! Below, we have curated a list of popular books about Boston, featuring everything from hardboiled detective novels to sweeping nonfiction histories. No matter what genre you prefer, there is a Boston-based book for you!
Fiction
The Given Day by Dennis Lehane – While many of Lehane’s crime thrillers are set in Boston,“The Given Day” features the city as prominently as any character. It’s an absorbing mystery and a great portrayal of many historic Boston events and milestones, such as the 1919 police strike.
Run by Ann Patchett – Settle in for a heartwarming story about a single father and former Boston mayor raising three children, including two adopted sons.
The Bostonians by Henry James – Perhaps the most quintessential Boston book, Henry James’s novel is a fun, witty look at the politics and society of New England in the post-Civil War era.
The Last Hurrah by Edwin O’Connor – Follow the twists and turns of a mayoral election in a town that is never named, but instantly recognizable as Boston. Couple this book with “The Rascal King,” listed below, as O’Connor’s main character was heavily inspired by James Michael Curley, the subject of that biography.
Caucasia by Danzy Senna – Let yourself be swept away by this coming-of-age story, set in the mid-70’s and following the lives of two biracial sisters. The story was Senna’s debut novel and a national bestseller upon its release in 1997.
Non-Fiction
Common Ground: A Turbulent Decade in the Lives of Three American Families by J. Anthony Lukas – Learn more about Boston’s school busing crisis – and the process of desegregation in Massachusetts – through the viewpoints of three different families.
Hidden History of Boston by Dina Vargo – This is a fascinating look at the lesser-known historical happenings in the city, telling the story of often-overlooked groups, such as immigrants and minorities.
The Rascal King by Jack Beatty – Dive into this comprehensive biography of James Michael Curley, former Mayor of Boston and career politician whose history is riddled with almost unimaginable corruption and criminal activities.
Amazing Tales from the Boston Red Sox Dugout: A Collection of the Greatest Red Sox Stories Ever Told by Bill Nowlin and Jim Prime – This is the perfect springtime read for sports fans, giving readers an inside scoop on some of the greatest moments in Boston Red Sox history.
We want to know what you’re reading this Spring! Tag us @oraseaport with all your recommendations.
