Top Ten Tuesday used to be a weekly post hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, but was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl. “It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.” This is definitely something I can understand and want to participate in.
Hello from the house of (literal) pain. I’m trying really hard to be upbeat. After spending the last two weeks in a subclinical flare of ulcerative colitis, things got a little worse and I spent a week where I was so sick that I could barely do anything other than lay in bed and sleep for most of the day and night. And just when I found a new strain of marijuana that actually calmed my nausea, when nothing else has worked so far, I started feeling a little better only to wake up for the last few days with really bad sciatica pain—probably from spending so much time in bed and sleeping. I’ve been using heat frequently, and even got my physical therapist to suggest some stretches that can help. So this month is apparently going to be all about doctor visits, tests, procedures, and more self-care.
Okay, now that I’m done ranting about my frustrations, I’m able to feel grateful for the many things that I do have, and the amazing supports that I have in place to help me either physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. Shout out to The Gobs™️ especially. IYKYK! So I apologize profusely about being off my game for the last few weeks, and I will be checking out comments on previous weeks TTT posts, as well as blog hopping.
Disclaimer: Links will take you to Amazon, and if you purchase anything through my links I may earn a small commission at no cost to you
This week’s topic is a fun one, and was submitted by Jennifer @ Funk-N-Fiction: authors (or books by authors) who live in my state/country. However, seeing that I live in New York, USA, I wanted to give myself a challenge and narrow things down a little further. I live in a suburb of Manhattan, on Long Island, and we also don’t lack for authors or books, but I want to share ten books who give off intense Long Island vibes.
And yes, we can tell if an author actually knows the island or not, and many people don’t actually realize that both Queens and Brooklyn are on Long Island (and yes, it is never ‘IN Long Island’). One final note: while many books portray one aspect of Long Island and ignoring many of the other great things about our beautiful area, like our diversity, easy access to beaches, closeness to The City™️ (yeah, just one city), and so many fun things to do! So get a real peek into Long Island life with its highs and lows, and check these books out!
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Yes, it’s cliched and low-hanging fruit. Everyone knows that it’s set on Long Island, on what is a real area known as the Gold Coast, or the north side of the island, that is full of grand old estates, just like those described in this book. So it’ll always have a place in my heart as the first book that featured places I knew, even if it is for describing the old money set so damn accurately.
- The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. This book earned a spot on my list with the fun camp setting in an alternate version of Montauk, but it is a long, long ride out to Montauk from The City. And Montauk isn’t nearly as cool as this book makes it sound.
- Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner. A book that both accurately captured the various aspects of Long Island and the darker side, in a story based on an actual event that occurred on the island.
- The Change by Kirsten Miller. I loved so much about this book, and I loved it even more for being set on Long Island and capturing what the east end is like. Mattauk, a wealthy oceanfront community, sounds an awful lot like a few other town way out east, especially Mattituck and Montauk.
- Forgive Me Not by Jennifer Baker. Set in Queens, this is dystopian YA fiction done so well. I loved that it made me think deeply about the issues addressed in this book, like guilt, forgiveness, and trust, as well as how we treat our imprisoned citizens.
- Olga Dies Dreaming by Xóchitl González. One of the coolest things about Long Island is how easy it is to find diversity—and this book showcases a powerful story about a pair of Puerto Rican siblings making their way in a world where they are meant to shine and learn more about their family history.
- Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson. I discovered this book on a library display, and it immediately spoke to me. It’s set in two different timelines in Brooklyn, and manages to capture the neighborhood and the changes occurring there in a wonderfully vivid way.
- When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole. How could I leave this off a list featuring books set on Long Island? This was a solid read, with surprise plot twists, and a fantastically terrifying story set against a backdrop of gentrification, which has been occurring across the island for the last decade or so, at least.
- Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam. Although I didn’t love this book, the author has really captured the feeling that comes with being away from The City, especially at night. Once the sun goes down, it gets really dark and you can see so many stars. And just as in the title, on a dark night, that is exactly how it feels.
- Nightfall by Nelson Demille. Okay, I haven’t read this one but my mom gave it to me and said it was good, and it was either this or The Godfather, which I haven’t even read, just seen the movie. Nightfall is based on a real plane crash, TWA Flight 800, which exploded off the coast of East Moriches, a town on the east end of the Island, although he takes some liberties with it, and I certainly do plan to read this one.
Have you read any books set on Long Island? Let me know if there’s any I’m missing!
Categories: Top Ten Tuesday
Leah's Books 
Wow, you have some famous writers from Long Island. Gatsby! Lightning Thief! Wow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish! They aren’t all from Long Island, but the books they wrote are.
LikeLike
Despite its immense popularity, I haven’t read The Great Gatsby. I have seen some adaptations though! Also I know many love The Lightning Thief, too! 🙂 Hope you feel better soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! There was a really good remix version of The Great Gatsby featuring a trans character, and it was done really well. Maybe the writing was just easier to understand than something written a hundred years ago? Also, any good film adaptations you recommend?
LikeLike
From this list, I’ve only read the first two books. One I barely remember, the other I adored. I hope you start feeling better soon, Leah.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!https://readbakecreate.com/celebrating-canadian-authors-ten-authors-from-canada/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much. I always try to include a range of genres so that many people can still find something in common. And its so cool that we tend to have a little bit of overlap in some of our reading!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I never noticed The Lightning Thief being set in Montauk, but maybe that’s because I’m not a New Yorker. Or leaving in the US for that matter ha. Anyway, it’s the only book I read from your list.
My TTT: https://laurieisreading.com/2025/05/06/top-ten-tuesday-books-about-world-war-ii-2/
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s just a few small mentions, so its easy to overlook that it is set in Montauk, especially since it is in an alternate, urban fantasy setting.
LikeLike
Oh, that sounds terrible. I’m sorry you’re in so much pain. I’m behind on blog hopping for medical reasons, too, so expect a flurry of comments from me at some point.
Olga Dies Dreaming sounds like a great read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oooh, sounds like we’re both aboard the struggle bus. I hope that you’re feeling better too, this weather must be horrible for you.
Olga Dies Dreaming is a wonderful read. I highly recommend it!
LikeLike
I just recently read The Change and I really loved it. Glad to see it on your list!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Even though it was a made-up town on the Island, it really did give off such eastern Long Island vibes.
LikeLike
I’ve been wanting to read When No One is Watching! My TTT
LikeLiked by 1 person
I highly recommend it – it was so suspenseful and unpredictable!
LikeLike
Yes- love Percy Jackson and the Olympians; I did read Great Gatsby in high school but forgot where it took place
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not sure it is exactly specified that it is on Long Island, but East Egg and West Egg were the fictional town names, thinly veiled for Cow Harbor and Great Neck. My teachers made sure we knew it was a book set in Nassau County.
LikeLike
Whenever I think of Long Island, Camp Half Blood comes to mind the MOST
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s pretty high praise about Long Island!
LikeLike
I always thought Long Island was separate from Queens and Brooklyn, so you’ve educated this Brit! I hope you feel better soon, sciatica is the worst. 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
You aren’t alone – most people don’t realize that, but we don’t have to cross a bridge to get to Queens or Brooklyn, but Manhattan and the other boroughs are separated by water! And yes, sciatica is the worst – now that it’s warm out, I have the heated seats on and the AC blasting 🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sorry to hear about your pain. Sounds awful. I hope all your doctors’ visits and self-care help you feel better.
Great twist on the topic! I just read a book where about a woman who moves to Long Island and has to learn to say “on Long Island” instead of “in Long Island.” It’s great when authors actually get those important local quirks right.
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is pretty awful, but hopefully I’ll be able to get past it sooner rather than later.
You’re right – it is so important to get those local quirks right. I tried to read a romance set in a town on Long Island, Port Jefferson. Except they referred to it as Port Jefferson every single time, when locals and residents just call it Port Jeff. It led me to DNF the book!
LikeLike
The Great Gatsby is a great choice, Leah. I’m sorry to hear you have been so ill. Chronic illness is so hard to live with. I hope you flare up is under control soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! It sucks to deal with a chronic illness, and it becomes a full-time job on its own. Luckily, I get to escape into books whenever I want!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Leah, I am so sorry to hear that you are in so much pain!! I will be keeping you in my prayers.
This is a great list, and I am glad that you included The Great Gatsby. It wouldn’t have been a list about Long Island without it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I’m starting to feel some relief, but I think taking a whole week to myself really helped.
And I love that you appreciated my inclusion of Gatsby – it really gives off the strongest Long Island vibes, even if it is Gilded Age Long Island.
LikeLike