Mary’s answer to “What do you find about the Midwest that you can use in your writing? Do you like the way people ta…” > Likes and Comments

You are the first author I have ever written to, and yesterday was my first day on GOODREADS. I want to read one of your books. I'm not a fantasy reader in general, but I love literature. I am super interested in Ohio writers and Midwestern writers. I think they are somewhat undervalued and under appreciated. I teach
English to international students.

Anyway, I am looking for a book that my students might like, and I would love a book that is just a good story.

Can you recommend one or two of your books?
Also, would you like to read a short story of mine?

Thanks for your speedy answer.
By the way I am from Toledo.

Deena Ohana

The most midwestern of the novels is Dreamers of the Day, which would be a good one for students. The narrator is a teacher from Cleveland. The setting is both the Middle West and the Middle East, during the 1921 Cairo Peace Conference. Every war in the Middle East is directly attributable to decisions made at that conference, so your students will have a much better understanding of today's headline and the world they live in.

The students are not the only ones who will get a very enlightening picture of an event that had an extremely strong impact on world events that continues today; hardly anyone knows much about this period. And, yes, it IS a good story, too! I have recommended it literally to dozens of my friends.

I agree.