10 Books Set in New York City

This post about books set in New York City contains references to products from one or more of my advertising partners. When you click on a link to any of these products, I may be compensated. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please visit my Earnings Disclosure & Disclaimer page for more information. Thanks for your support! Please also note that any prices, offers, and terms listed are subject to change at the discretion of the companies mentioned.

 

When it comes to interesting architecture, culture, vibrant shopping venues, and authentic eateries, it’s tough to top New York City. If you can’t get there in person just yet though, reading about the city that never sleeps is the next best thing. To help you choose your next favorite read, I’ve chosen 10 of my favorite novels set in New York City.

Though the stories and timelines differ -some are set in current day, while others will take you back to a New York City of previous eras- what they all succeed in, is making the city come alive.

 

Want to Save Money on Books Set in New York City & Other Books?

Read for Less! 16 Ways to Get Free and Low Cost Books

Is a Barnes and Noble Membership Worth the Cost?

10 Books Set in New York City

 

1. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn | Betty Smith (paid Amazon link)

 

 

This classic coming-of-age story focuses on Francie Nolan, the tenacious young daughter of an Irish immigrant family growing up in the slums of Brooklyn during the start of the 20th century.

Francie’s life is filled with struggles -her family lives in poverty, her father is an alcoholic, and she’s exposed to human cruelty- yet she manages to experience periods of joy. It’s a story of finding glimmers of hope when life is unforgiving.

Notable

• The novel is partly based on the author’s experiences.
• The Library of Congress named A Tree Grows in Brooklyn as a book that shaped America.
• The New York Public Library referred to it as “one of the books of the century.”
• The film version of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, released in 1945, was based on the book.
• Two of Betty Smith’s other books, Tomorrow Will Be Better and Maggie-Now, are also set in Brooklyn. Though Joy in the Morning is largely set in the Midwest, the two main characters originate from Brooklyn.

 

 

2. The Forgotten Flapper | Laini Giles (paid Amazon link)

 

It’s based on the real story of Olive Thomas, who after leaving her small Pittsburgh-area town for New York City, becomes an artist’s model, a Ziegfeld Follies performer, and eventually a silent screen actress. The book is told from Olive’s perspective – she narrates her life, beginning as a young girl in 1902 until the time of her death in 1920.

Hollywood legends like Mary and Jack Pickford (who became her second husband), Florenz Ziegfeld, Norma Shearer, and Myron Selznick are introduced throughout the book. Other locations include Los Angeles, her home town of Charleroi, and Paris, France.

 

3. The Show Girl | Nicola Harrison (paid Amazon link)

 

A well-researched, fictional account of Olive McCormick, a young woman who moves from Minneapolis to New York City to become a Ziegfeld Follies star, much to the dismay of her parents. The glamour and excitement of New York during the roaring twenties -a period that saw dramatic social change and great economic growth- comes alive in these pages.

The detailed descriptions of life on (and off) stage, the costumes, the interactions with others, the fans, and the landmarks make this book a true getaway.

 

4. The Fifth Avenue Story Society | Rachel Hauck (paid Amazon link)

Set in modern day New York City, five strangers with varying backgrounds and circumstances receive an anonymous invitation to attend a meeting of the Fifth Avenue Story Society. Every week the strangers return to meet, where they begin to forge genuine friendships and heal their brokenness. The book is categorized as Christian fiction and contains religious undertones.

The book doesn’t specifically reference the New York Public Library, but coincidentally NYPL is located on Fifth Avenue.

 

5. The Chaperone | Laura Moriarty (paid Amazon link)

Based on the story of Louise Brooks, who went on to become a Ziegfeld Follies star then a film actress. In this account, Cora Carlisle is a 36-year-old traditional women who accompanies beautiful and precocious 15-year-old Louise Brooks from Wichita, Kansas to New York City to study with Denishawn School of Dancing, a prestigious dancing troupe.

The story begins during the Jazz Age of the 1920s and extends to pivotal points in American history, including the Great Depression and the civil rights movement. The author succeeds in creating well-developed characters and introducing readers to New York City during an era of rapid change – I especially loved re-visiting Grand Central Terminal.

Notable

The 2018 Masterpiece Film The Chaperone, was based on this novel.

 

6. Brooklyn: A Novel | Colm Tóibín (paid Amazon link)

Set in the early 1950s, young Eilis Lacey moves from her small town in Ireland to Brooklyn, New York to chase the American dream. After overcoming severe bouts of homesickness, she eventually  adapts to life in the U.S. (and even thrives), finds steady employment, and a romantic relationship. When tragedy hits her family in Ireland, she must return home and make a life-altering decision: go back to her life and love in the U.S. or remain in Ireland.

The author vividly describe the immigrant experience and life in Brooklyn during the early 1950s even though he’s from Ireland!

Notable

• The novel won the 2009 Costa Novel Award.
• The film of the same made was released in 2015.

 

7. Bond Girl | Erin Duffy (paid Amazon link)

The modern tale of a young woman overcoming challenges as she works her way up in the bonds department of a prestigious Wall Street brokerage firm. After her career finally begins to take off, the 2008 financial crisis hits. She then has to face a tough decision. 

For some, the book is reminiscent of The Devil Wears Prada. I also see parallels with the movie, Working Girl.

 

8. Marjorie Morningstar | Herman Wouk (paid Amazon link)

This classic 1955 novel is the coming-of-age story of Marjorie Morgenstern, a young woman from a traditional, middle-class New York City Jewish family. At 19, she leaves home to pursue her dreams of acting (she changes her last name to Morningstar), where she meets a charming director named Noel Airman. During the story, which unfolds across two decades, she comes to make decisions that will effect the rest of her life.

Notable

The film version of Marjorie Morningstar was released in 1958; it starred Natalie Wood and Gene Kelly.

 

9. A Magical New York Christmas | Anita Hughes (paid Amazon link)

Set during the holidays, this modern-day romantic tale introduces Sabrina Post, a young, struggling journalist who accepts a ghostwriting position from Grayson Westcott, famous art dealer. As part of the assignment, she gets to spend a week in a luxury suite at the famous Plaza Hotel, located near Central Park south. During her stay, Sabrina meets a young man who she believes is British royalty, but isn’t. Conversely, he mistakenly thinks Sabrina is wealthy.

A second story recounts Grayson’s days as a Plaza butler and budding romance with a woman who happens to be the author of Sabrina’s favorite childhood books.

 

10. The Way of Beauty | Camille Di Maio (paid Amazon link)

In the first part of this multi-generational story, we meet Vera Keller, daughter of German immigrants living in New York City during the turn-of-the century. The second part focuses on her daughter Alice, a young woman coming of age in the 1940s. Both women work to fulfill their dreams during changing times. Themes in the story include love (found and lost), family, the Suffragette movement, and the sacrifice of the workers who helped build New York City.

 

Next on my list:

 

Time After Time | Lisa Grunwald (paid Amazon link)

I hope you enjoy reading these books as much as I have. Do you have a favorite novel set in New York City?

 

 

This post contains references to products from one or more of my advertising partners. When you click on a link to any of these products, I may be compensated. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please visit my Earnings Disclosure & Disclaimer page for more information. Thanks for your support!