Books Set In Oklahoma

Are you looking for books based in Oklahoma? Or are you wanting to learn more about the state of Oklahoma? If so, this list of books set in Oklahoma is for you.

Oklahoma is the state that I now call home. Or at least the state that I have lived in for almost twenty five years. When I moved to Oklahoma in 1994, it was a rough move.

I grew up in western Oregon. In the part of Oregon that is known for small logging towns and a very rural life. I was one hour from the Pacific Ocean. One hour from the Columbia River. And about one and a half hours from the mountains and some of the best skiing in the U.S.

To me Oklahoma seemed like a foreign place. The people, the culture, and the weather were entirely different than what I knew.

What I didn’t realize twenty-five years ago, was that Oklahoma has a beauty all its own. Its people, culture, and weather have a history and vibrancy that is like no other place. It may not have the beauty of Oregon, but it definitely has a beauty of its own. Oklahoma is an amazing state with a history and culture worth learning about.

We are sharing a few of our favorite books set in Oklahoma. If you want to know more about the people and places of Oklahoma add one of these books to your TRB list today.

 

Killers of the Flower Moon

Killers of the Flower Moon is a newer release, but this book will hold the test of time for nonfiction books about Oklahoma. This is a about the birth of the FBI, but it weaves so much Oklahoma and Native American History into it. The story of the Osage Murders were not very well known even in Oklahoma. This book changed that and brought an important part of history to light.

I think this book should be required high school reading for Oklahoma students. Yes, it is that good and it is that much of an important part of Oklahoma history. This is one of those books nonfiction books that read like fiction. Once you start reading Killers of the Flower Moon it is hard to put down.

Dust Bowl Girls

Dust Bowl Girls is another lesser known story about Oklahoma. It is an inspiring story of how with teamwork and sacrifice you can accomplish great things. This is a story about hard work and endurance during difficult times. It is a great read for a sports fan or anyone that lives in Oklahoma and enjoys learning new things about its history.

Boom Town

I have lived in Oklahoma for twenty-six years and four of those years I lived in the Oklahoma City area. I thought I knew a lot about Oklahoma, but I learned so much by reading Boom Town by Sam Anderson.

This book covers the history of Oklahoma City, but in doing that it covers a lot of Oklahoma history. Same Anderson made the history of Oklahoma City fun and interesting. Boom Town was not dry or boring. This was a fun nonfiction read. It is a PG-13 read though. 

Dreamland Burning

Dreamland Burning is a fiction book about a well known part of history in Tulsa, Oklahoma. If you are from Tulsa or NE Oklahoma, you have probably heard of the Tulsa Race Riots. However, if you live outside of Tulsa, you have probably never heard of the Tulsa Race Riots.

There is a lot that isn’t known about the Tulsa Race Riots. Much of its history was covered up which makes it hard to write about. Dreamland Burning is considered a YA book, but I think this book is a great book for adults as well. The author take a difficult part of history and shares it in an interesting way that draws you into the story.

Yes, this is fiction, but the time period, place, and event are a big part of Oklahoma history.

Blood Moon

The book Blood Moon was a good book to learn about the Cherokees and Oklahoma. It helped me understand the Trail of Tears, how the Cherokee got their language, and much more. If you don’t know much about the Cherokees, this is great book to learn about their history and their struggle for their land.

Bud and Me

Bud & Me is  a delightful tale of two brothers and their journeys across America in different modes of transportation. At just five and nine the two brothers, Temple and Bud, make a journey from Oklahoma to New Mexico this journey creates many interesting memories. This is a historical book that was written by Temple Abernathy’s wife. While the book is focused more for middle school children, even adults will find the tales in this book fun and interesting.

True Grit

I picked True Grit up at a used book store because I had watched the movie, but not read the book. I found it fun and relaxing to read a book that takes place in Oklahoma.

Cup of Dust

I found Cup of Dust to be a good historical fiction novel. It seemed to a very accurate description of how it may have been during the Dust Bowl in Oklahoma.

Where the Red Fern Grows

A childhood classic that is based in Oklahoma. Where the Red Fern Grows is a fiction book, but it is based on the author’s childhood growing up in the Ozarks of NE Oklahoma. The setting of the book is very much what it would have been like to grow up in that time period in eastern Oklahoma.

Summer of the Monkeys

Most people have either heard of or read Wilson Rawls other book Where the Red Fern Grows, but have not heard of Summer of the Monkeys. This book definitely is a good read for boys and girls in middle school or junior high, but adults can enjoy it as well. The book is written similarly to Rawls other book and takes place in the Ozarks.

Fire In Beulah

I read Fire In Beulah by Rilla Askew last year as part of my backlist books challenge.

Fire In Beulah  is about the Tulsa Race riots that happened in 1921. This book though was published back in 2001 when very few people were talking about, let alone writing about, the Tulsa Race Riots. 

Rilla Askew did an amazing job of sharing the story of what Tulsa and much of Oklahoma looked like in 1921. She weaves together the story of one white family and one black family. They are so very different and yet connected in so many ways. A hard topic, but a good read. 

Life from Scratch

Life from Scratch by Sasha Martin is a food memoir about a blogger who cooks her way around the world. She lives in Tulsa, so a lot about Oklahoma is woven throughout the book. If you like food memoirs you will probably enjoy this one. 

Frontier Follies

It just seems right to include a Pioneer Woman book on a list about books set in Oklahoma.

Ree Drummond has written quite a few cookbooks and her show has made her small town in Oklahoma famous. Frontier Follies is different though because it is about way more than food. It is an essay style book. It reminds me of the old days of her blog. 

She simple shares stories of family and life on a ranch in Oklahoma. This is a great read for fans of Pioneer Woman. 

Do you have a favorite book set in or about Oklahoma? We would love to hear what it is. Leave a comment letting us know what your favorite Oklahoma book is.