Travel to sunnier weather with these vibrant books about Florida. Our books set in Florida reading list is sure to inspire your next Sunshine State vacation.
After living in Florida for eight years, we’ve seen just about everything. Crocodiles on the side of the road. Bulls running through our yard. Awe-inspiring rocket launches from Cape Canaveral. Hurricanes.
Plus, snowbirds. Snowbirds. Snowbirds. The Sunshine State is infamous for Florida Man. Plus, it’s god’s waiting room, right? Not to mention a popular spring break destination.
So, what does this mean for books about Florida, exactly? Quite frankly, these classic FL associations warn us that Florida novels are just as wild and unpredictable as its residents.
Enter popular Florida authors like Tim Dorsey and Carl Hiaasen. To be fair, Hiaasen writes fun and educational books for middle graders too — with a strong focus on the environment. No women getting offed on boats there.
We asked some of our favorite book and travel bloggers to recommend the best books set in Florida that showcase the vibrant state.
Many of these novels about Florida are sure to bust your silly Florida myths and memes. Others…well, I make no promises.
Explore Florida classics, books set in Miami, the Keys, and Orlando, and a Florida novel or two that will change the way you look at the world. We’ll also share a few truth-bomb nonfiction books about Florida.
Lastly, uncover thrillers and mystery books set in Florida, although much of the state is still a mystery to me…
Let’s get started! Please *kindly* let us know in the comments if we missed your favorite Florida novel, too.
Take a road trip across America with our 50 States Reading List.

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20 Meme-Busting Books About Florida
Travel down south with these hilarious, poignant, or atmospheric books about Florida. Our books set in Florida list is sure to inspire your sunny vacation.
Swamplandia! by Karen Russell
Submission from Lindsey of To Make Much Of Time
For anyone equally appalled and riveted by the carnival culture that pervades portions of Florida, Swamplandia! is the perfect Florida novel.
Unique and fascinating, this modern twist on the Southern Gothic novel takes place off the southwestern coast of Florida known as the Ten Thousand Islands. Swamplandia! centers around the ‘Bigtree’ family.
The Bigtrees transform their gator-infested backyard into a tourist attraction with alligator wrestling. The mother of the family even dives into a pool of alligators as a stunt.
The daughter, Ava, finds herself suddenly taking on the mantle of her family’s survival; her mother contends with a cancer diagnosis as other family members unravel.
When Ava’s sister, Ossie, elopes with a supposed ghost, Ava must set off on a perilous journey through the swampy underworld to rescue her sister.
Swamplandia! is an intriguing page-turner and takes a surprising turn as the storyline unfolds.
Russell is able to successfully take what on the surface appears to be extraordinary circumstances and portray universally human experiences and tribulations.
Mrs. Hemingway by Naomi Wood
Let's not forget local Florida author, Ernest Hemingway, or his four wives...
Wood takes on Hadley, Pauline, Martha, and Mary. She tells their stories through love letters and telegrams.
Head to Paris, Key West, and Cuba to watch the affairs, heartache, and passionate romance that never quite lasted in this fictional account of Hemingway's relationships.
The Last Train To Key West by Chanel Cleeton
One of our favorite books about Florida, The Last Train To Key West is a must-read and gripping historical fiction novel featuring inspiring women. You do not have to read the first two Florida novels in this 'series,' either.
A very pregnant Helen is trapped in an abusive marriage and seeking a better life. Can she escape her brutal husband and allow herself to love again?
Meanwhile, Mirta questions if she can fall in love with her new mafia-tied husband. Elizabeth is searching for her veteran war brother to escape being married to a criminal. Is her brother OK?
Their lives collide during Florida's deadliest hurricane. Travel back to the mid-1930s, and watch multiple romances unfold.
We devoured this Key West novel in two sittings. Plus, learn more about Flagler's railroad to Key West.
This Key West novel is also on our books set on trains reading list.
Bad Monkey by Carl Hiaasen
I will never forget the day that Bad Monkey hit the library shelves. The hold list nearly imploded. Everyone wanted a copy of this 2013 mystery book set in Florida.
Recent former police officer, Andrew Yancy, is trying to figure out where the human arm in his freezer came from. With the hopes of getting his job back, Yancy must solve the murder mystery.
Hiaasen throws into the mix his usual hot mess, eccentric characters (well, at least for his adult books).
Florida Roadkill by Tim Dorsey
Tim Dorsey's Florida reminds me a lot of Florida Man and his life's triumphs. And yes, Florida Man is for realsss.
Meet criminal Serge A. Storms and his druggie partner, Coleman. Serge along with everyone else, including a stripper, is after a suitcase filled with millions.
Similar to Hiaasen's adult novels set in Florida, uncover a large array of unlikely and hilariously grotesque characters mixed with lovemaking, booze, death, and more drugs.
Florida Roadkill spans the state of Florida, including Cape Canaveral, Miami, and the Florida Keys. This is the first novel in the Serge Storms series.
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
A 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction award-winner, The Nickel Boys is based loosely on a true story about the Dozier School for Boys.
A novel set in Florida (Marianna), this is one of the best books about the South, too.
Elwood Curtis, an ambitious and talented young Black man, is growing up in a racist society filled with racist policies.
When Elwood is unfairly sent to a 'reform' school, his promising future and goals of higher education are over -- no matter how hard he tries.
Sadly, the ending isn't a surprise in this society, making The Nickel Boys one of the most powerful historical fiction books about Florida on this reading list.
Paper Towns by John Green
One of those Florida novels that I re-read for my MLIS, Paper Towns exemplifies wanting so much more than a meaningless, cookie-cutter life.
No more gated communities, please.
Margo Roth Spiegelman fascinates the somewhat geeky and awkward Quentin. When she snatches Q in the middle of the night for an epic mission filled with revenge, he's pretty much game.
Beautiful, mysterious, and with a pained soul, though, Margo suddenly disappears.
I always thought Margo was a tad self-centered and annoying, but Quentin decides to follow the clues to find her.
For YA novels set in Florida, Paper Towns will make you think differently about the world.
Discover more books about maps.
Down And Out In The Magic Kingdom by Cory Doctorow
I am not going to lie: this Florida novel is headed to the top of our whacky TBR list. Who doesn't love the 'space opera genre' either?!
Jules lives at Disney World, which is under attack. Someone has taken over the Hall of the Presidents and manipulates guests' minds into thinking they are the Presidents that they are looking at.
Can Jules save the Magic Kingdom? For science fiction books set in Florida, this one sounds like one good time.
Their Eyes Were Watching God By Zora Neale Hurston
From Eatonville to Miami and the Everglades, if you are looking for one of the best classic novels set in Florida of all time, you cannot miss Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston.
Hurston, herself, is a Florida author and lived in Eatonville, Florida.
Janie Crawford is a strong woman with her own goals and dreams. She wants to choose who she loves.
With destructive and cruel relationships and even worse marriages, Janie constantly finds herself trapped in the town gossip. She transforms from a pretty figure to a politician’s wife and eventually an accused murderess.
Watch Janie fight to the bitter end against men, prejudices, and circumstances of her time.
Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay
Submission From Bookstagrammer, Jennia
Dexter Morgan spends his free time conducting vigilante justice. He cleanses the world of criminal vermin that have escaped the justice system.
Dexter takes his cues from his morally gray anti-conscience, a persistent voice he calls his “Dark Passenger.”
A person from his distant past puts his dubious code of ethics to the test. Is Dexter really as much of an emotionally void monster as he believes himself to be?
Or is there a spark of humanity hiding under his carefully crafted mask? Enter one of the best serial killer crime books set in Florida.
Rum Punch by Elmore Leonard
Did you know that Quentin Tarantino directed the film adaptation of Rum Punch (Jackie Brown) but changed the setting to LA?
A book set in West Palm Beach and parts of Miami, Rum Punch is about Jackie Burke, a flight attendant smuggling cash from a crime boss, Ordell, in Jamaica.
Eventually caught and arrested, the police recruit Jackie to help catch Ordell. Of course, Jackie mostly wants to save herself and attempts to double-cross her way out of this impoverished situation.
Rum Punch is a popular Florida crime novel.
The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
Submission from J.R. at Eternity Books
The Yearling is a coming-of-age novel set in Florida during the 1870s. Encounter Jody's life on a farm with his parents, surviving severe storms, hunting, and also the rescuing of a fawn named Flag.
Jody has a strong relationship with his father, and he grows with the story, becoming wiser and much more mature by the end.
Rawlings was a resident Florida author who lived near Gainsville.
A Land Remember by Patrick Smith
One of the most well-known books about Florida, A Land Remembered follows three generations of MacIveys, a poor family trying to make their own American Dream.
What do we sacrifice for that dream, and how can those goals destroy us along with the world we live in?
The MacIveys' story begins in 1858 in the Florida wilderness and ends in 1968 with the overexploitation of the land.
Read A Land Remembered as a fictional but realistic novel about Florida's history. Watch as greed ends up being the most threatening beast in this timeless saga.
The Caroline Paintings by Arthur D. Hittner
If you are looking for indie novels set in Florida, don't miss one of my favorite lesser-known authors, Arthur D. Hittner, and his book The Caroline Paintings.
Although not strictly based in Florida -- you will head to Boston, too -- this art fiction novel depicts the perfect multi-dimensional, tempting young muse.
After winning a bidding war over a storage locker filled with junk, Florida snowbird, Jerry, thinks he might have uncovered a hidden gem or two.
These newly discovered unsigned paintings send Jerry around the U.S. to uncover the mysterious artist and his beautiful young muse.
With altering stories and timelines, meet the woman inside the painting and her not-so-tragic plight as Jerry 'comes of age' in his maturity.
A Land Remembered Graphic Novel by Andre Frattino
Submission from Florida author, Andre Frattino
In 1984, Patrick Smith wrote an instant Florida classic that persevered throughout the last thirty years and resonated with so many readers, young and old. Now it's been transformed for a whole new generation.
A Land Remembered: A Graphic Novel centers around the MacIvey family. Meet the Florida pioneers struggling to carve out a place for themselves in “The Land of Flowers."
This graphic novel about Florida's history spans three generations of family, encompassing 100 years.
During this time, the MacIvey’s experience everything from the horrors of the Civil War to battling cattle rustlers, coexisting alongside Seminole Indians, and surviving devastating hurricanes.
It's a wild, wild west story set against the backdrop of a North Florida that's been long, long forgotten.
Florida by Lauren Groff
For award-winning books about Florida and named one of NPR's best books of the year, don't miss Groff's Florida.
You may recognize Groff from Fates and Furies. Both titles were National Book Award Finalists.
Explore an intimate, mesmerizing, and starkly unnerving collection of short stories that take place in Florida.
Groff examines Florida, both the state and mindset, with her uniquely positioned characters contrasted and held up against the land.
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
For award-winning children's books about Florida ecology, Hoot is a must. A Newbery Honor winner, Hoot is a contemporary children's classic.
Roy Eberhardt is the bullied new kid in town. Determined to save the endangered and burrowing miniature owls, he and his new friends take on Mother Paula's All-American Pancake House.
Hoot is a fantastic and funny environmentally-conscious Florida novel, exemplifying wildlife versus the overdevelopment of the land.
Florida Team Rodent By Carl Hiaasen
Get ready for a truth bomb. Not everyone loves Mickey Mouse or Disney.
This collection of essays is about Disney, a beloved household name that may have some dark and disturbing tales behind those huggable ears.
Team Rodent sounds a lot like Black Fish.
Devil In The Grove by Gilbert King
Winner of the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction and nominated for a 2013 Edgar Award, Devil In The Grove is one of those must-read Florida history books.
Learn more about Thurgood Marshall, an American lawyer, who risks it all -- including his life -- to come into Florida territory to fight for civil rights.
A Florida State of Mind by James D. Wright
If you are looking for nonfiction books set in Florida and have a Florida mindset like me, you will want to check out A Florida State Of Mind.
Yes, get ready for talk about Florida Man and all of those amazing Florida memes that we love to laugh at.
Learn fun and funny facts about the development of Florida, including colonialization, snowbirds, and why people are still fascinated with the Sunshine State.
Save These Books About Florida For Later

What are you favorite books about Florida? Which Florida writers do you love?
What are the best books set in Florida that you love? Which Florida novel are you eyeing from this list? What’s your favorite Florida destination? Let us know in the comments!
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Travel Around The South With These Reading Lists:
Best Books About The South
Tennessee Reading List
Travel To North Carolina With These Books
Best Books Set In Asheville
Asheville Authors To Love
Or, visit all of our North America-based Reading Lists & Book Lists Set Around The World

Christine Frascarelli
Christine (she/her) is the owner, lead editor, and tipsy book sommelier of The Uncorked Librarian LLC, an online literary publication showcasing books and movies to inspire travel and home to the famed Uncorked Reading Challenge.
With a BA in English & History from Smith College, an MLIS from USF-Tampa, and a U.S. Fulbright Fellowship in Christine's back pocket, there isn't a bookstore, library, or winery that can hide from her. Christine loves brewery yoga, adopting all of the kitties, and a glass of oaked Chardonnay. Charcuterie is her favorite food group.
Lauren Elena
Sunday 27th of October 2019
Another great list! Florida, to me too, doesn't sound like the best place ever but I like these book options! I should read another John Green book and Paper Town sounds good. I should read another John Green one. So far I've only read Fault in Our Stars. Also, I've definitely heard of Their Eyes Were Watching God, but I had no idea what it was about. It sounds so good. I have to read it! Rum Punch also sounds good! Ha! Tarantino was probably like- a movie set in Florida will never sell! Haha! I never saw that Tarantino movie. Maybe it didn't sell anyways? I can't remember.
Okay, the one you've definitely sold me on is Mrs. Hemingway! I HAVE to read that one!!! I read The Paris Wife which was centered around his first marriage to Hadley and I LOVED it! I think I would love this one too. Hmm? Maybe I should read some actual Hemmingway? We talked about his house, remember? My parents went. I want to go!!! The cats all have some genetic deformity...what is it only 3 toes? I can't remember now. If you haven't been, that should be where we meet up! I'd be ALL for that! ;) Although I really need to see Asheville. So hard! No lie, since most my vacations center around seeing my parents, I may try to convince them into an Asheville trip and then I can ditch them for the day to see you! And the cats? Please? :)
Christine
Saturday 2nd of November 2019
You guys should definitely plan an Asheville trip together. We'd love that so much. Plus, then you can read Thomas Wolfe and visit his house. There is also a great nonfiction book, The Last Castle, which is about the Biltmore. I think you'd really enjoy that one. Don't forget the champagne bookstore, either. You'd love our talkative fluffs! They would love your undying attention.
Yes, I remember talking about the Hemmingway House. Kathy just went there on her last cruise too--you both are SO lucky. I tried to get her to blog about it for me, but she said she didn't know that much about it. Drat! Maybe I can convince you both to write a collab piece for TUL, hehe. ; ) I cannot believe how many cats there are living on the property. I wish we made it to his house while we lived there. His cat obsession is like the Biltmore Vanderbilts with their beloved St. Bernard, Cedric.
I cannot even begin to tell you how many times we read Their Eyes Were Watching God in undergrad. A LOT. You'll have to pick it up!
I enjoy John Green even though librarians give him a lot of shit.
Hope you are having a fabulous weekend. My parents just left town so I am catching up on blog comments and emails. It's gorgeous here with the fall foliage but a tad chilly too.
Barbara
Tuesday 22nd of October 2019
Team Rodent sounds right up my alley. I need a new book to read that isn't self help or business related haha.
Christine
Wednesday 23rd of October 2019
Right?! And honestly, anything that exposes FL for what it is...lol!
Rachel
Thursday 17th of October 2019
I'm trying to decide if I should be required to turn in my voter's card because I have not heard of most of these! I may have to move... Or get to binge-reading. Thanks for this great list!
Christine
Thursday 17th of October 2019
HAHA!! If nothing else, you have to try Hiaasen--his middle-grade books are my favorite. His adult ones...are fun...
I am so glad that someone else wrote about The Yearling. I just cannot read animal stories.
Macey @ Brine & Books
Wednesday 16th of October 2019
A Land Remembered is 100% calling my name! I had no idea Paper Towns was set in Florida, oopsie. I haven't read any John Green books (BIGGER oops); I've only seen The Fault in Our Stars. Mrs. Hemingway sounds SO GOOD!! I love the letter/telegram angle. This is such a creative book list!!
Christine
Thursday 17th of October 2019
Yessssss, I definitely think that A Land Remembered is for you.
I actually loved The Fault in Our Stars before it became so dang popular (I listened to the audiobook)--and I definitely recommend the audiobook. I didn't love Green's An Abundance of Katherines, and I have a like/dislike relationship with Paper Towns. That might be biased since I had to write a paper on it for grad school. I love the criticism of FL in it. Looking for Alaska is another one I enjoyed by Green, and Turtles All the Way Down was ok-ish too (his newer-ish one). If you like LGBT lit, Will Grayson, Will Grayson is fabulous and Green writes it with Levithan (another one of my favorite YA authors).
Ok, that is probably way more John Green than you needed. Oops. I was a teen librarian; what can I say?! Since you are more into historical fiction and nonfiction, though, I'm not sure you will love Green. He's hit or miss for people.
Hayley Yager
Wednesday 16th of October 2019
Ahhhh I'm so sorry I couldn't contribute to this awesome list! The reply email to you is still sat in my drafts, I'm a terrible communicator these days... I haven't read any of these books except Paper Towns (which was OK, not my favourite John Green I have to say). Thanks for sharing, I'll be sure to check a few of these out.
Christine
Thursday 17th of October 2019
I missed you SOOOO much on this one. I was just thinking: 'where did Hayley go?!' as I published this. I've been MIA on IG--there is just no time, and then I got super sick. How have you been? I will have to go stalk you online... I'm not even sure I know where you are right now lol!
Paper Towns is not my favorite of Green's either. I read it at least twice and then watched the movie. When I read itPaper Towns a second time for my MLIS class, I just thought Margo needed a good slap across her face lol! She is SO annoying.
Thanks for dropping by! Xxxxx