If your state is the same as Texas, then you likely have various “___ of the state”. Like the state flower or the state motto or whatever it may be. My question to you is if you think states should have a state book?
My answer is sure. So long as the state book isn’t the Bible or some crap. I’m sure it’d be pretty easy to find an important book, fiction or not, set or about the state that would more qualify to be the state book of any state. For example, I could easily see To Kill a Mockingbird as the state book of Alabama. And if you go state by state you could easily find books for all 50 states.
An issue arises when lawmakers try to make a game of the whole thing. If the goal is to declare a book as the state book, then do it. If the goal is to draw attention to the state because it’s making a mockery of the process, then there really is no point.
What do you think? Should states have a state book? What do you think of states perhaps trying to name religious texts as the state book?
On this day in 2014 I published Deciding What to read Next.
Johnny Reads 
First off, I’m done with all these asshat politicians making religious plays in politics. They serve very little purpose other than making the politicians look like neglected five-year-olds, jumping up and down going “LOOK AT ME!”
As for a state book… or a state anything… I don’t see the point beyond catch-phrases on tourism literature. It certainly isn’t something we should be spending tax money on… you know, instead of, say… education, or infrastructure improvements. As humans, we spend an inordinate amount of time attempting to pigeon-hole ourselves with one-line definitions. States are large and diverse. It would seem that today’s primary political aspiration is to squash that “diverse” idea as hard as possible.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tax money? What’s being spent on naming a state book? There’s already a flag. A motto. A state flower. A bird. No idea what you’re talking about spending money on.
LikeLike
If it’s coming up in session, and it’s being discussed in committee, then resources are being thrown at it. Then, if they do implement it, then they have to print literature about it, maybe carve a few statues, and pay to have it added to state textbooks. Nothing is free, especially when the government is involved.
LikeLike
Think of the number of bills that are considered each legislative session in every state. Adding one changes absolutely nothing.
Statues? LOL at that. And state textbooks are new every what, 5-10 years? Adding information about a state book is going to make those new textbooks SO much more expensive. Yeah.
LikeLike
Interesting question and provoking idea…
I am sure many of the States would indeed make religious books their choice -on which I have no opinion but I can see quite a fuss arising.
This reminds me of Hollywood’s “Star” plaques. To me it’s a similar idea -each State (or, come on Provinces too -I am Canadian after all 😉 ) could easily choose an award-winning author from said State or Province.
LikeLike
Hm. And then court cases and just a lot of nonsense. But with the Walk of Fame stars are constantly being added. A state would only need to do this once and it’s done.
LikeLike
Hopefully Kansas would choose The Wizard of Oz or something instead of In Cold Blood haha.
LikeLike
Nope. It has to be In Cold Blood. Or Flynn’s Dark Places.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good one lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve read neither but I’m a familiar with both.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right as I read your comment, Somewhere Over the Rainbow came on the radio…weird!
LikeLike
You should probably throw the radio out the window into the street and run it over. That’s crazy.
LikeLike
Well it was the Sirius XM Frank Sinatra channel on my TV…I think running over my TV with my car is not a good idea, I’ll just turn it off for the night.
LikeLike
Oh well. When it becomes a Transformer then you have missed your opportunity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, if it becomes a Transformer you can say “I told you so” all you want.
LikeLike
I will. Unless it’s a Decepticon. Then I’m going nowhere near you or it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think some of your states would come up with some really funny chouces and have some crazy debates so for that reason I’m in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you’re right. But I also think the Bible would pop up in just as many. Ugh.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Or maybe they’d choose one of those colouring books.
LikeLike
One of those would be a better choice than most books.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ga. state movie should be deliverance. no questioning that.
LikeLike
No idea what that is.
LikeLike
Utah would have trouble not wanting it to be religious. I have no idea what I’m talking about, but I get a gut feeling that is Utah=Mormans. Never mind. Ignore me.
LikeLike
I don’t think state legislators are all Mormon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure you are right. It’s just what I immediately think of. For example, I don’t immediately think of one dominant religion when I think of Illinois. Just a thought. Which, as you can see, gave birth to my newest blog post. And I gave you a shout out for making me think.
LikeLike