Where to Start Reading Barbara Kingsolver

More than a writer, Barbara Kingsolver is a storyteller, nature lover, environmental activist, traveler, philosopher and human rights advocate. Spanning decades, her evocative and transformative work includes acclaimed novels such as Demon Copperhead and The Poisonwood Bible, as well as illuminating collections of essays, stories and poetry. As anticipation builds for her new book Partita, now is the perfect time to explore Barbara Kingsolver's books one hand-picked recommendation at a time. 

 

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Pulitzer Prize winner Barbara Kingsolver returns for an unforgettable story of resilience, possibility and the transformative power of music. Melodies shape memories of heartbreak and loss in this expansive novel that follows a pianist who confronts unexpected ghosts from her past.

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Barbara Kingsolver’s Pulitzer Prize and Women’s Prize–winning novel reimagines Charles Dickens’ classic tale for today, illuminating modern struggles through a young man’s reckoning with poverty, addiction and love. This is one of the author's most popular books and a great place to start. 

 

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Determined to convert the people of the Congo to Christianity, Nathan Price and his family set off for Africa not knowing what awaits them in Barbara Kingsolver’s sweeping and unforgettable family saga told through the perspectives of a mother and her four daughters. Considered Kingsolver's masterpiece and many of her readers' favorite novel, it's another one of her books that's a great choice for newcomers. 

 

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Kingsolver’s first novel, The Bean Trees, introduced readers to her wit, humor and tenderness. You can escape your hometown, but often you cannot escape your fate. In this heartfelt tale of belonging, self-discovery and unexpected motherhood, Barbara Kingsolver’s literary voice comes to life. If you've never read any of her books, this warm and funny story is a wonderful place to start. 

 

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One shabby house. Two families. Different eras. Barbara Kingsolver intertwines two parallel stories of people navigating lives they didn’t plan for. When the foundations beneath their feet begin to shift, both must confront what it takes to survive. If you've already enjoyed some of her earlier books, this one will be right up your alley. 

 

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Flaura and fauna meet human nature in Barbara Kingsolver’s spirited novel that’s both funny and heartbreaking. Set against the backdrop of southern Appalachia, this is both a love story of people and the wild. Perfect for nature and literary romance lovers. 

 

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Luscious prose meets ecological wonder in Barbara Kingsolver’s mesmerizing novel about a young Appalachian mother who witnesses a rare natural phenomenon that alters the course of her life and community. Readers who enjoy thought-provoking literary fiction will love this accessible read. 

 

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Memoir meets journalism in the Kingsolver family’s rich exploration of sustainable eating. With humor and heart, Barbara and her family reflect on the issues plaguing our food system and their journey toward a better food culture. Food lovers, gardeners and nature enthusiasts, this one is for you. 

 

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Historical fiction is Barbara Kingsolver’s forte and art meets politics in her richly layered epistolary-leaning novel about a man who becomes entangled with Frida Kahlo, revolutionary matters and McCarthy-era America in his extraordinary lifetime.

 

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Weaving Native American legends, environmental activism and the dreams that shape us, Barbara Kingsolver offers a wise and heartfelt tale about a woman who returns home to confront the past and finds healing and community along the way. Fans of heartfelt and reflective literary fiction will enjoy this one. 

 

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Revisiting the characters from The Bean Trees, Kingsolver’s vivid storytelling shines through in this powerful novel about an accident that sets off a custody battle involving a young girl, her adoptive mother and her Cherokee biological family.

 

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There are those people that can be referred to as "salt of the earth". Barbara Kingsolver's second book of poetry moves from elegant how-tos in life to the recollection of a trip to Italy to remembrances of deceased family members. After reading this book of beautiful and deeply moving poetry, we believe Barbara Kingsolver earns this title, and we think you’ll agree.

 

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Discover Barbara Kingsolver’s beautiful essay collection in which she takes readers from the wonders of her own garden and the power of family to the troubles facing our collective garden, the Earth, and the political and environmental challenges that shape our world.

 

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Barbara Kingsolver is not only an extraordinary storyteller, her stories transport readers to wondrous places, from St. Lucia to Northern California, Kentucky and beyond. Compassionate and hopeful, this collection explores home, identity and belonging with the wit and emotional depth that define her writing. 

 

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Before she became one of America’s favorite novelists, Barbara Kingsolver moved readers with wise and emotional poems that illuminate America’s many hidden faces, giving voice to the struggles and resilience of ordinary people too often overlooked.

 

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Searching for meaning in a world that’s often bewildering, Barbara Kingsolver offers a delightfully philosophical collection of essays brimming with humor and insight. From nature and animals to family, literature and the joys and absurdities of everyday life, this charming volume will resonate with longtime fans and new readers. 

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