Only after I'd sent off the box did it strike me that as a set, the list of books that are "too American" was interesting. My patriotism has suffered in the last few years -- a week ago I passed the Statue of Liberty in a boat, and all I could think of was that recently we've really let Her down. But these books, inappropriate for my German Princess, have a uniquely American vitality. Some are nostalgic, some are unapologeticly critical, but they do embody a sense of life (sometimes struggle, sometime joy) that is truly unique. A small glimmer of hope for Liberty.
- Sarah Vowell -- The Partly Cloudy Patriot, Assassination Vacation, Take the Cannoli
- Connie Willis -- Lincoln's Dreams
- Eudora Welty -- in particular "Losing Battles"
- John McPhee -- just about anything
- James Loewen-- Lies My Teacher Told Me
- William Faukner -- As I Lay Dying
- Forrest Carter -- The Education of Little Tree
- Chaim Potok - My Name is Asher Lev
- Jean Craighead George -- My side of the Mountain
- Barbara Ehrenreich -- Nickel and Dimed
- To Kill a Mockingbird -- Harper Lee
- Stephen Dubner Morrow -- Freakonomics
- Susan Jane Gilman -- Hypocrite in a Pouffy White Dress
