Books from Local Authors and Books about this Area
As we stay home to practice social distancing, online options have become so important to learn, be entertained, and to keep connected with one another even though it's not in person.
With the help of local libraries, we've come up with a list of books about our region and local QC authors that have books you can download to your e-reading device. Please check-in with your local library about these books and authors online or by phone. Libraries now have such a wealth of digital content for you to enjoy without going anywhere. Or you can check online sources to purchase them.
Authors
Max Allan Collins - Max Allan Collins is a New York Times bestselling author of original mysteries, a Shamus award winner and an experienced author of movie adaptions and tie-in novels. His graphic novel ROAD TO PERDITION was made into a major motion picture by Tom Hanks's production company, Playtone.
Leslie Langtry - Leslie Langtry is the USA TODAY Bestselling author of three Cozy Comedy series, including the Merry Wrath Mysteries, the Greatest Hits Series, the Aloha Lagoon Ukulele Mysteries and Sex, Lies & Family vacations.
Sally John - Sally John is the best-selling author of eighteen novels, including the Safe Harbor series (co-authored with Gary Smalley), The Other Way Home series, The Beach House series, and In a Heartbeat series. A three-time finalist for the Christy Award and ACFW Carol Award winner for Heart Echoes, Sally writes contemporary stories that offer hope to readers in their own relational and faith journeys.
Randy Wayne Wright - Randy Wayne White is the author of sixteen previous Doc Ford novels and four collections of nonfiction.
Jill Esbaum - Jill Esbaum grew up in small-town Iowa. Her summers were spent creating comic strips, getting kittens to follow her home, and playing Barbie beauty pageant with the neighbor girls (which her Barbie never won). One of her favorite possessions was the mini flashlight that illuminated post-bedtime, undercover reading marathons with Nancy Drew.
Barbara Allan - Barbara Allan is the joint pseudonym of acclaimed short story writer Barbara Collins (Too Many Tomcats) and New York Times bestselling mystery novelist Max Allan Collins (ROAD TO PERDITION). Their previous collaborations have included one son, a short story collection, and five novels, including the 2008 winner of the Romantic Times Toby Bromberg Award for Most Humorous Mystery, ANTIQUES FLEE MARKET. They live in Iowa in a house filled with trash and treasures.
Susan Carroll - Author Susan Carroll began her career in 1986, writing historical romance and regencies, two of which were honored by Romance Writers of America with the RITA award. She has written 26 novels to date.
Aubrey Barnes, pen name “Aubs.” - His third self-published book It is Good, It is Written, is a piece of art that has been three years in development, and has been consigned by world renowned poets, such as Black Chakra. It is Good, It is Written is a collection of poetry that speaks a narrative in hopes to resonate and transform the heart and soul of Black America, as well as provoke thought in the onlookers.
Books
Ghosts of the Quad Cities - Mark McLaughlin and Michael McCarty
John Deere, That's Who! - Tracy Nelson Maurer (kids book)
Life of Black Hawk - dictated by Black Hawk
Rock Island Arsenal - George Eaton
This Old Bill - Loren D. Estleman
Cowboy Courage - William Hampes
Life on the Mississippi - Mark Twain
More Books related to this area that are online for purchase (or in library's print collections)
The Autobiography of Black Hawk as Told to Antoine LeClaire
When the Mississippi Ran Backwards by Jay Feldman
A Brief History of Bucktown by Jonathan Turner
Rebels at Rock Island : The Story of a Civil War Prison by Benton McAdams
Murder and Mayhem in Scott County by John Brassard
Hellgate on the Mississippi by Larry Riney
Rock Island Lines by Dean Klinkenberg
Bix: Man and Legends by Phillip Evans
A Culinary History of Iowa by Darcy Dougherty Maulsby
A Keelboat Journey During the Civil War by Sallie Tower Durand
The John Deere Story by Neil and Jeremy Dahlstrom
Grant Wood: A Life by R. Tripp Evans
The Town Crier by George Wickstrom
Under the Gun: A Woman’s Remembrance of the Civil War by Annie Wittenmyer
The Underground Railroad of Western Illinois by Owen Muelder
Mark Twain: A Life by Ron Powers
A Delicate Aggression by David Dowling
Devils Glen by Matthew Speak
The Long Way Around by Douglas Cavanaugh
More Local Authors to Looks for Online
Lucy and Liz Lareau
Teresa Labella
Sean Leary
Wendi Lee
Jason Platt
Curt Roseman
Lilly Setterdahl
Dick Stahl
Alex Stone
Jodie Toohey
Misty Urban
Connie Corcoran Wilson
Bill Wundrum
Shellie Moore Guy
Crystal Joy
Douglas Cavanaugh
The Midwest Writing Center is another great resource for local writers. You can order books and publications online from their website.
What local authors do you enjoy reading books from? Who do we need to add to our online digital book list?