Skip to content
Golden State
Sign in Subscribe

Six books that will help you understand California

Prominent authors and journalists talk about the books they read in 2025 that gave them special insight into California's history, people and culture.

By Paul Thornton
Six books that will help you understand California
Two of the six books on our list are seen at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena. (Credit: Paul Thornton)
Published:
Share to X Share to Bluesky Share to Facebook Share to LinkedIn Share by email

With 2025 coming to a close, Golden State asked local bibliophiles what they read this year that enhanced their understanding of California. The answers from David L. Ulin (author and former books editor of the L.A. Times), Erin Aubry Kaplan (Inglewood-based journalist and columnist), Susan Straight (novelist and UC Riverside professor) and others showcase some of the best literary insights into California’s people, history, culture and landscape.