Time for a little history lesson. Did you know Oregon has
an official state flower? It’s the Oregon grape. How about an official state
dance? We do indeed: the square dance. And what about our state book? No idea?
Perhaps that’s because we don’t actually have one.
On March 23, The
Oregonian’s editorial board created waves in the literary community by
asking readers which title could be considered the state’s official book.
Although no movement exists to push for such a thing, the editors were inspired
by a recent bill in Mississippi that offered the Bible as the state’s official
tome. Suggestions quickly poured in as passionate readers defended their
favorite titles and debated definitions and potential categories.
In the end, Ken Kesey’s “Sometimes a Great Notion” emerged
as victor, having garnered the most overall votes. Yet the beauty of the
literary conversation lies not in its final consensus, but rather the extreme
variety and quality of books suggested. Poignant classics and new favorites
were unearthed to share the spotlight – including several OSU Press titles!
Oregonian
online user AEsteve wrote: “What about ‘Honey in the Horn,’ H.L. Davis’s
1935 Pulitzer Prize winner? Not even Kesey caught the wanderlust at the core of
Oregonians. Then ‘Sometimes a Great Notion.’”
User Boyd Osgood concurred, saying: “I propose ‘Honey in
the Horn’ by H.L. Davis. It won the Pulitzer in 1936 for best novel … It is an
extremely good read.”
Honey in
the Horn, the only Oregon novel to win a Pulitzer, follows the
story of orphan Clay Calvert as he journeys across the state in the early years
of the twentieth century. Many of those who weighed in during the debate
suggested Davis’s book, citing its unparalleled portrayal of the indomitable
and restless Oregon spirit. You can discover its unique beauty for yourself
this June, when OSU Press releases a reprinted edition, complete with a new
introduction from historian Richard W. Etulain.
But Honey in the
Horn wasn’t the only OSU Press title to receive some love from readers.
Below are several of the suggested books, along with users’ comments.
·
Field
Guide to Oregon Rivers
o
“For field guide I would choose the new and
amazingly wonderful Field Guide to Oregon Rivers by Tim Palmer, a must have for
anyone who loves the outdoors of this beautiful state.” – Oregonian user Animist
o
“ … it is a GREAT little book. I give it my highest
recommendation.” – Oregonian user
barttels
·
Wildmen,
Wobblies, and Whistle Punks
o
“Two books I would add to the reading list are
Wildmen, Wobblies and Whistlepunks, Stewart Holbrooke, and Fool’s Hill, John
Quick. Both singularly outstanding and published by the estimable OSU press.” –
Oregonian user barttels
·
Moontrap
·
Illahee
o
“Kay Atwood’s delightful short book called Illahee,
which is about early settlers, trappers, and Native American lives along the
lower Rogue River! GREAT NONFICTION!” – OPB user Puddleglum
·
Trask
o
“Don Berry, specifically his novel Trask. Oregon in
setting, authorship, and writing style.” – Oregonian
user TuberousRootMan
o
“Trask by Don Berry. His description of winter in
the northern coast range is enough to send me under the blankets to wait until
spring!” – OPB user Barbara Wanores
Still not convinced you should pick up an OSU Press title
today? Perhaps we should simply forget this whole debate business and follow
the advice of Oregonian user
bendbrilliance: “In other words, books are different than birds and rocks. So I
say no to designating a state book. Just enjoy them all.”