Take a literary trip to the heartland with the 10 best books set in Iowa
Discover the 10 best books set in Iowa, capturing the essence of its heartland charm, rural landscapes, and unforgettable stories.
Author Jhumpa Lahiri wrote, “that’s the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet.”
Books provide an entryway to places we’ve never been, places we miss, and even places that don’t exist. We get to put our own lives on hold and experience life from a new perspective. And when it comes to literature, Iowa has served as a captivating backdrop for many compelling stories.
Here are 10 of the best books set in this heartland state that will transport you there in an instant.
Fiction books set in Iowa
“Stars Over Clear Lake” by Loretta Ellsworth
Genre: Romance, Historical Fiction
If you’re drawn to WWII-era plotlines and romance stories filled with war, sacrifice, and deeply buried secrets, “Stars Over Clear Lake” is a perfect read. Set in the 1940s in a small town in North Iowa, the novel follows Lorraine Kindred as she returns to The Surf Ballroom, a pivotal place from her past. There, she must summon the courage to confront her memories, make peace with her history, and rediscover her strength and resilience.
“What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” by Peter Hedges
Genre: Drama, Coming of Age
“What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” is a beautifully written contemporary classic. Twenty-four-year-old Gilbert Grape feels trapped in the fictional small town of Endora, Iowa, and longs to escape. His life is weighed down by a dysfunctional family and a town that seems to grow smaller and more depressing by the day. Then, unexpectedly, a new romantic interest enters his life, shifting everything. In this novel, Peter Hedges explores themes like economic hardship, adultery, sudden loss, shame, and suicide. Though heavy, it’s a powerful and compelling read.
“Gilead” by Marilyn Robinson
Genre: Literary Fiction
Marilynne Robinson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “Gilead” is a work filled with wisdom, tenderness, and light. Set in the fictional Midwestern town of Gilead, Iowa, it is both melancholic and hopeful as it tells the story of the dying Protestant pastor Reverend John Ames. In his final days, Reverend Ames writes letters to his seven-year-old son, sharing stories about his father and grandfather. This novel serves as a poignant reminder that life is a gift to be cherished and celebrated.
“A Thousand Acres” by Jane Smiley
Genre: Literary Fiction
“A Thousand Acres” is a Pulitzer Prize-winning modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s “King Lear.” In this retelling, the “kingdom” is one of the largest farms in Zebulon County, Iowa. The aging Larry Cook announces his plan to turn the land over to his three daughters—Caroline, Ginny, and Rose. However, tension arises when Larry cuts Caroline out of the deal. As the sisters navigate the changes, they must also cope with their father’s decline into alcoholism. In this novel, Jane Smiley expertly captures the complexities of family dynamics and life on a farm.
“These Things Hidden” by Heather Gudenkauf
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
“These Things Hidden” is a story of mystery, intrigue, and secrets, with the past unfolding page by page. At the center is a little boy named Joshua, who is mysteriously connected to the four alternating narrators. The plot revolves around Allison, once the town’s golden girl, who commits an unforgivable crime that sends her to prison. Her quiet sister, Brynn, is left to endure the cruel whispers and rumors at school, though all she wants is to move on and forget what really happened that night. When Allison is released to a halfway house, she desperately tries to reconnect with her sister, complicating everything.
“Alice’s Tulips” by Sandra Dallas
Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction
This one’s for fans of historical fiction, mystery, and Civil War-era stories. “Alice’s Tulips” shows that no town is too small for intrigue and treachery. Alice Bullock’s husband, Charles, joins the Union Army, leaving her alone on their Iowa farm with only his mother for company. Things take a turn when Alice is accused of murder, forcing her to discover her own strength. In this novel, Sandra Dallas explores the complexities of being a woman in the nineteenth century.
“Shoeless Joe” by W.P Kinsella
Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Magic Realism
“Shoeless Joe” is one of the best books about America’s favorite pastime, baseball. It’s not only a love letter to the game but also a story about faith, family, and finding inner peace. In this novel, W.P. Kinsella weaves together beautiful descriptions with magical realism to tell the story of Ray Kinsella, who, after hearing the mysterious words “if you build it, he will come,” decides to create a baseball diamond in his cornfield to honor his hero, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson. The novel was later adapted into the film “Field of Dreams.”
Nonfiction books set in Iowa
“Growing Up Amish: A Memoir” by Ira Wagler
Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir, Religion
In his memoir “Growing Up Amish,” Ira Wagler recounts his experiences as the ninth of eleven children in an Amish family. He spent much of his early life in the Old Order Amish community of Aylmer, Ontario, before moving to Bloomfield, Iowa, as a teenager. Wagler reflects on living in a culture without cars, electricity, or telephones, along with many other restrictions, before ultimately leaving the community at the age of nineteen. His story is one of self-discovery, freedom, and possibility.
“Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World” by Vicki Myron, Bret Witter
Genre: Nonfiction, Animals
“Dewey” is a heartfelt and inspiring story that will especially resonate with many readers, especially those who are animal lovers. This true story begins when a weeks-old kitten was stuffed into the return slot at the Spencer Public Library in Spencer, Iowa. He was discovered the next morning by librarian Vicki Myron. Over the course of the story and Dewey’s nineteen-year life, he captured the hearts of the library staff and the entire town. Trust me, he’ll win yours too.
“The Oxford Project” by Stephen G. Bloom, Peter Feldstein
Genre: Nonfiction, Photography, History
The story begins in 1984, when photographer Peter Feldstein set out to accomplish an incredible task: photographing every one of the 676 residents in the small town of Oxford, Iowa. He converted an abandoned storefront into a makeshift studio, and slowly but surely, community members began trickling in to have their portraits taken. Twenty years later, Peter returned, this time with writer Stephen G. Bloom by his side. Together, they tracked down the same residents—some still living in Oxford, others who had moved away, and some who had passed on. Through both words and images, “The Oxford Project” documents the complex realities of life, capturing its beauty and heartbreak.
After immersing yourself in these stories rooted in the rich landscapes and small-town charm of Iowa, where will your next fictional journey take you?