What I learnt about Alabama
A State of Contradictions: Alabama experiences both successes and struggles. It features booming cities like Huntsville, often ranked among the best places to live, while simultaneously grappling with high poverty rates and low GDP per capita, mirroring Mississippi’s challenges. This duality makes Alabama a fascinating microcosm of American disparities.
Outsized Role in Racial Equality: Despite its modest size and economic power, Alabama has played a pivotal role in the nation’s struggle for racial equality. Its history is intertwined with the Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement, and the fight against segregation, making it essential for understanding America’s complex racial past.
Geographical and Cultural Diversity: From the Appalachian Mountains to the Gulf Coast beaches, Alabama boasts diverse landscapes and cultural regions. The industrial north, with its history of coal and steel, contrasts with the agricultural south, shaped by its legacy of cotton plantations and the Black Belt region. This diversity contributes to Alabama’s unique identity.
Important Ideas and Facts:
Geography and Climate:
- Humid subtropical climate with hot summers, mild winters, and high humidity.
- Third rainiest state in the U.S., averaging 56 inches of precipitation annually.
- 70.57% forest coverage, the fifth highest in the U.S.
- Coastal areas vulnerable to hurricanes.
- Diverse landscapes: forests, farmland, mountains, beaches, and major river systems.
- Major Cities: The capital city of Alabama is Montgomery. Birmingham is the largest city, with Mobile, Huntsville and Tuscaloosa are other major prominent cities.
Demographics:
- Population: 5.07 million, 24th most populous state.
- 27th in population density, closely mirroring the national average.
- 64% white, 29% Black – the fifth-highest proportion of Black residents nationwide.
- Tied for first with Mississippi as the most religious state (82%).
History:
- Native American presence: Mississippian civilization, Alabama, Creek, Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw tribes.
- European colonization: Spanish exploration, French settlement (Mobile), British control.
- Became the 22nd state in 1819.
- Heavy reliance on plantation agriculture and slavery.
- Fourth state to secede and join the Confederacy.
- Key role in the Civil Rights Movement: Montgomery Bus Boycott, Birmingham protests, Selma to Montgomery marches.
Economy:
- Transition from agriculture to industry and manufacturing.
- Major industries: timber, paper, automobile manufacturing (Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz), steel, coal.
- High-tech and aerospace hub in Huntsville.
- Persistently high poverty rates, especially in rural areas.
- Fourth lowest GDP per capita in the country.
Culture:
- Strong Southern identity, known as the “Heart of Dixie.”
- Passionate about college football, particularly the rivalry between the University of Alabama and Auburn University.
- Influential in various music genres: blues, country, gospel, jazz, and folk.
- Home to famous writers (Harper Lee) and musicians (Lionel Richie, Nat King Cole).
Alabama is a state deeply rooted in history, grappling with the complexities of its past while striving for economic progress. Its diverse landscapes, rich culture, and central role in the fight for civil rights make it a vital part of the American narrative.
My pick for Alabama
Take My Hand
Dolen Parkins-Valdez
Available in: Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
Genres: Historical Fiction, Literary
Paperback: 384 pages
Audiobook: 10h 57m
Summary
In 1973, newly graduated nurse Civil Townsend aims to impact her African American community through her work at the Montgomery Family Planning Clinic. Her first week reveals the harsh realities of systemic racism as she meets young sisters, Erica and India, forced onto birth control due to their poverty and race. Civil becomes deeply involved with their family, facing a life-altering tragedy. Decades later, as Dr. Townsend prepares for retirement, she reflects on the enduring stories and people who shaped her journey. Inspired by true events, Take My Hand explores themes of accountability, redemption, and the importance of remembering history to prevent its repetition.
Thoughts
It’s hard to put into words how much this project has enriched my reading life. I began this journey some time ago, but it was only with this post that I decided to read more than one book per state or country. I realized that one book alone can’t provide the comprehensive understanding I’m seeking. For Alabama, I read 10 new books, all of which were exceptional, making it tough to choose a standout. I ultimately selected this one because, despite being historical fiction, it remains highly relevant today and is, therefore, an essential read. No state should have the power to dictate what I do with my body—my body, my right.
Other books from the state
To Kill A Mockingbird
Author: Harper Lee
Genre: Classics, Historical Fiction
Paperback: 336 pages
Audiobook: 12h 17m
In Harper Lee’s classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch teaches his children valuable life lessons while defending a black man falsely accused of attacking a white girl in the 1930s Deep South. Through the perspectives of Scout and Jem Finch, the novel explores themes of race, class, and morality with compassion and humor. Atticus emerges as a literary hero, fighting against the prejudices and hypocrisy of a small town. Since its 1960 publication, the book has become a bestseller, won the Pulitzer Prize, and been adapted into an acclaimed film. To Kill a Mockingbird delves into the complexities of human nature and remains a beloved masterpiece of American literature.
I read this book almost 10 years back but still remember the impact I felt after reading this book. The way it portrays racial inequalities through the innocent eyes of a child, who can’t fully grasp these prejudices, was truly mind-blowing. There’s a reason this book is considered a classic.
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe
Author: Fannie Flagg
Genre: Historical Fiction, Queer
Paperback: 416 pages
Audiobook: 11h 27m
In Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, two stories intertwine as elderly Mrs. Threadgoode shares her vibrant past with middle-aged Evelyn in the 1980s. Her tale transports readers to 1930s Whistle Stop, Alabama, where the daring tomboy Idgie and her friend Ruth run a lively café. Their establishment is a hub of good coffee, delicious barbecue, and heartfelt connections, even witnessing an occasional murder. As the past’s adventures unfold, they leave a lasting impact on the present, making this a folksy, endearing, and unforgettable novel.
A reading journey through Alabama is incomplete without some southern charm. This book is heart warming due to it’s character’s strength and struggles. Really loved the women in this book. Each one of them are unique and inspiring in their own way.
Just Mercy
Author: Bryan Stevenson
Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir, Race
Paperback: 384 pages
Audiobook: 11h 11m
Just Mercy is a powerful true story by Bryan Stevenson, a young lawyer who founded the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) to defend the poor, incarcerated, and wrongly condemned. The book chronicles EJI’s journey, tackling the nation’s highest death sentencing rates and fighting against the cruel practice of sentencing children to die in prison. A key focus is on Walter McMillian, a Black man unjustly sentenced to death for a crime he didn’t commit, highlighting systemic racial injustice. Just Mercy is a compelling call to end mass incarceration and a testament to the power of mercy and justice.
This book shook me to the core. I really admire the work done by Bryan Stevenson in redeeming poor, incarcerated & wrongly accused. But I would be lying if I say that I am not scared reading about it especially as an immigrant. But it can be corrected only by giving voice to such issues and hence making this book important.
Barracoon - The Story of the Last "Black Cargo"
Author: Zora Neale Hurston
Genre: Nonfiction, Biography, History
Paperback: 256 pages
Audiobook: 3h 50m
In 1927, Zora Neale Hurston interviewed Cudjo Lewis, the last known survivor of the transatlantic slave trade, in Plateau, Alabama. Capturing his firsthand account, Hurston documented his life from his childhood in Africa, his capture, and the brutal Middle Passage, to his years in slavery. Returning in 1931, Hurston delved deeper into Cudjo’s story, sharing his memories in his own words. Based on these interviews, Barracoon portrays the lasting impact of slavery with Hurston’s compassionate and unique narrative style, offering a poignant reflection on a haunting legacy.
A trip through Alabama is incomplete without reading about it’s dark past. Cudjo’s story was heart-touching and one that makes you stop and think deeply about black people around you.
The Story of my Life
Author: Helen Keller
Genre: Nonfiction, Biography
Paperback: 240 pages
Audiobook: 3h 30m
Helen Keller’s classic autobiography recounts her incredible journey of overcoming blindness, deafness, and muteness after a severe illness at 19 months old. With the help of her dedicated teacher, Anne Sullivan, Keller achieved remarkable milestones, including the breakthrough moment at a water pump when she connected the word “water” to the liquid flowing over her hand. The book highlights her joy in learning to speak, friendships with notable figures like Oliver Wendell Holmes and Edward Everett Hale, her cum laude graduation from Radcliffe, and the profound relationship with Sullivan, who masterfully communicated with her eager pupil. Keller’s story remains a testament to human courage and dedication.
Helen has plenty of opportunities and excuses in life to take the easy route but she didn’t. This book is an inspiration to go after your dreams even in the face of challenges.
March
Author: John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, Nate Powell
Genre: Graphic Novel, Nonfiction
Paperback: 128 pages
Audiobook: NA
March is a powerful first-hand account of John Lewis’ lifelong fight for civil and human rights. Reflecting on the progress made since the days of Jim Crow, the book weaves Lewis’ personal story with the broader civil rights movement. Book One details his youth in rural Alabama, his transformative meeting with Martin Luther King, Jr., the rise of the Nashville Student Movement, and their nonviolent battle against segregation, culminating in a dramatic moment at City Hall. Inspired by a 1950s comic, Lewis’ own comics now bring this pivotal history to life for new generations, echoing a movement that still resonates today.
Alabama is known for it’s part in Civil Rights Movement. The memoir of John Lewis makes this history quite accessible to read via this 3 part graphical novel.
Transcendent Kingdom
Author: Yaa Gyasi
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Literary
Paperback: 304 pages
Audiobook: 8h 40m
Transcendent Kingdom follows Gifty, a neuroscience PhD candidate at Stanford, as she researches depression and addiction to understand the suffering in her family. Her brother Nana, a high school athlete, died from a heroin overdose, and her mother is bedridden with depression. Gifty grapples with the scientific search for answers and her longing for the evangelical faith of her childhood. This novel poignantly explores the intersection of faith, science, and the immigrant experience, showcasing the family’s struggle with grief, love, and hope. An emotionally searing follow-up to Gyasi’s debut, it paints a deeply moving portrait of resilience and discovery.
Beautiful prose. I loved how the author dealt with grief through the lens of faith and science.
Almost American Girl
Author: Robin Ha
Genre: Graphic Novel, Nonfiction
Paperback: 240 pages
Audiobook: NA
This powerful teen graphic novel memoir follows Robin, a Korean-born, non-English-speaking girl, uprooted from Seoul to Huntsville, Alabama in the 1990s. Struggling with culture shock and isolation after her mother’s sudden remarriage, Robin faces the challenges of a new school, language barriers, and being cut off from her friends and beloved comics. Her relationship with her mother strains under the pressure. However, when her mother enrolls her in a comic drawing class, Robin discovers a new passion that opens up unexpected opportunities and helps her find her place in her new world.
I love graphical novel and hence my journey is incomplete without one. I love both the art work and the story. This book along with ‘Inside out & back Again’ captures the struggle of an immigrant among young adults and it was really heart-breaking to read.
I Kissed Shara Wheeler
Author: Casey McQuiston
Genre: YA Romance, Queer
Paperback: 356 pages
Audiobook: 9h 25m
Chloe Green is determined to win valedictorian at Willowgrove Christian Academy in Alabama, despite moving from SoCal and facing gossipy classmates and strict administration. Her biggest rival is prom queen Shara Wheeler, who suddenly kisses Chloe and then disappears. Chloe teams up with two other classmates, also kissed by Shara, to unravel Shara’s cryptic clues and find her before graduation. As they chase Shara through various escapades, Chloe begins to uncover hidden truths about her small town and perhaps even about Shara herself. Casey McQuiston’s I Kissed Shara Wheeler is a witty and heartfelt story about breaking rules, uncovering secrets, and finding love in unexpected places.
I hate cheesy romances and I feared the same based on this book cover & title. However, I found it to be a quite balanced book for a young adult audiences. There are lot of important story arcs that definitely made it an enjoyable read.
Looking for Alaska
Author: John Green
Genre: YA Romance, Contemporary
Paperback: 221 pages
Audiobook: 6h 40m
Miles “Pudge” Halter, bored with his safe, uneventful life and obsessed with famous last words, leaves home for Culver Creek Boarding School in search of the “Great Perhaps.” There, he meets the enigmatic and captivating Alaska Young, who pulls him into her whirlwind world and steals his heart. As he navigates the excitement and chaos she brings, Miles’ life is forever changed. Alaska’s impact leads him on a profound journey of self-discovery and adventure, making everything that follows unforgettable.
I read this book way too back to remember anything about it now. But it is one of very popular Green’s novel, so I included it in the list for people who love his work.
Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe
Author: Heather Webber
Genre: Magical Realism, Romance
Paperback: 336 pages
Audiobook: 11h 46m
Midnight at the Blackbird Café by Heather Webber blends magical realism, romance, and Southern charm. Anna Kate returns to Wicklow, Alabama, to bury her Granny Zee and settle her estate. Planning a quick trip, Anna Kate is drawn to the town and its mysterious blackbird pie. Despite her efforts to avoid forming ties, she uncovers truths about her past. As she navigates her newfound connections and the town’s quirks, Anna Kate must decide if she can heal and embrace her future.
Rabbit Cake
Author: Annie Hartnett
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Paperback: 332 pages
Audiobook: 7h 7m
This darkly comic novel follows twelve-year-old Elvis Babbitt, who navigates life after her mother’s tragic death. Armed with quirky facts, Elvis plans her grieving process meticulously, but she’s unprepared for the challenges that come her way, like her sister’s sleep-eating and her father’s odd behavior. As she investigates the mysterious circumstances of her mother’s drowning, Elvis finds solace in the eccentric people and animals of Freedom, Alabama. This poignant story is a blend of humor and heart, capturing a young girl’s quest for understanding and belonging.
The Jailhouse Lawyer
Author: James Patterson
Genre: Mystery, Crime, Thriller
Paperback: 592 pages
Audiobook: 14h 51m
In Erva, Alabama, a young lawyer faces off against a corrupt judge who is ruining her hometown, landing her in jail. The picturesque town’s serious crimes are minor, yet the jail is overcrowded with few prisoners released. To uncover the truth behind these secrets, she finds that sometimes the best education a lawyer can get is serving hard time.
Inside Out & Back Again
Author: Thanhha Lai
Genre: Poetry, Historical Fiction
Paperback: 288 pages
Audiobook: 2h 30m
For ten-year-old Hà, Saigon is all she’s ever known, filled with vibrant markets, beloved traditions, and close friends. However, as the Vietnam War reaches her home, Hà and her family must escape the falling city, embarking on a journey to America. In Alabama, Hà faces the challenges of a foreign land, from its unwelcoming strangers to its unfamiliar food. Through it all, she discovers the enduring strength of her family as they adapt to their new life.
I don’t read a lot of poetry, mostly because I find it difficult to understand. But this collection was quite accessible and still heart warming. I would highly recommend.
Do you have any other recommendation from this state? Please share it in comments.
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