Is this your first time visiting Washington, DC? Trying to find time to sightsee between sessions in a packed conference schedule? Or maybe you won’t be joining us in person this year but still want to connect with the city’s rich history and culture.
Not everyone will have the opportunity to experience DC firsthand, so we’ve put together the AMCHP 2026 Local Reading List, a curated collection of books that bring the city’s diverse history, communities, and culture to life. Whether you’re drawn to historical fiction, contemporary social issues, or stories set against the backdrop of DC, there’s something here for every reader.
Explore the list below, curated from recommendations by AMCHP staff and selections featured by DC’s local news source, The 51st. Happy reading!
Washington, DC: History, Power, and Place
Washington: The Making of the American Capital – Fergus M. Bordewich
Genre: Urban History
Why read this book? An eye-opening account of the land speculation, enslaved labor, and political forces that shaped the founding of the nation’s capital.
Dream City – Harry Jaffe and Tom Sherwood
Genre: Political History / Biography
Why read this book? A nuanced portrait of Marion Barry that offers deeper insight into his controversial legacy and the political evolution of Washington, DC
Personal History – Katharine Graham
Genre: Memoir
Why read this book? A compelling memoir that chronicles Katharine Graham’s groundbreaking leadership at The Washington Post and the political storms of Washington.
Indigenous DC: Native Peoples and the Nation’s Capital – Elizabeth Rule
Genre: Nonfiction, History
Why read this book? This book highlights the often-overlooked presence and contributions of Native Americans in DC, serving as a companion to the “Guide to Indigenous DC” app and self-guided tour.
1666: A Novel – Lora Chilton
Genre: Historical Fiction
Why read this book? This novel tells the survival story of the Patawomeck Tribe of Virginia, offering a powerful perspective on Indigenous resilience in the region.
Flee North – Scott Shane
Genre: Narrative History
Why read this book? The remarkable true story of Thomas Smallwood, a DC resident who led hundreds of enslaved people to freedom while directly challenging the brutal pre–Civil War slave trade centered in DC and Baltimore.
Washington’s U Street: A Biography – Blair Ruble
Genre: Neighborhood History
Why read this book? A richly detailed history of U Street that traces its role as a cultural, musical, and political hub of Black Washington.
Chocolate City: Culture, Community, and Identity
Chocolate City – Chris Myers Asch and George Derek Musgrove
Genre: Social History
Why read this book? A richly contextualized history of DC’s role in the civil rights movement and Black education that helps explain the city’s modern identity.
All Aunt Hagar’s Children – Edward P. Jones
Genre: Short Story Collection / Literary Fiction
Why read this book? A powerful set of stories spanning decades that captures the complexity of Black life in Washington, DC
Go-Go Live: The Musical Life and Death of a Chocolate City – Natalie Hopkinson
Genre: Music History / Cultural Criticism
Why read this book? An essential exploration of go-go music and what its rise and decline reveal about race, culture, and power in DC
Lost in the City – Edward P. Jones
Genre: Short Story Collection / Literary Fiction
Why read this book? A vivid collection of interconnected stories that bring to life everyday Black experiences in DC when it was truly Chocolate City.
The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears – Dinaw Mengestu
Genre: Literary Fiction
Why read this book? A quietly moving novel that explores Ethiopian immigrant life and belonging in Washington, DC
Women, Family, and Change
The Women – Kristin Hannah
Genre: Historical Fiction
Why read this book? This moving novel follows the experiences of women in the Vietnam War, featuring powerful scenes set in DC that capture the political and personal impact of war.
The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post – Allison Pataki
Genre: Historical Fiction
Why read this book? The fascinating story of Marjorie Merriweather Post, one of America’s wealthiest women with strong ties to DC through her philanthropy and historic Hillwood Estate.
The House of Eve – Sadeqa Johnson
Genre: Historical Fiction
Why read this book? Set in 1950s DC and Philadelphia, this novel follows two young women navigating unexpected pregnancy and societal expectations, providing insight into motherhood, healthcare access, and the challenges faced by women at the time.
Take My Hand – Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Genre: Historical Fiction
Why read this book? Inspired by true events, this novel follows a nurse in the 1970s who uncovers unethical medical practices and forced sterilizations. The resulting court cases in DC led to major changes in healthcare policies impacting families across the country.
The Vanishing Half – Brit Bennett
Genre: Historical Fiction
Why read this book? A thought-provoking novel that touches on identity, belonging, and family ties, with key parts of the story unfolding in Washington, DC.
Power, Politics, and the Present
Yellowface – R.F. Kuang
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Why read this book? A sharp, thought-provoking novel about the publishing industry, ambition, and the pressures of success, partially set in DC, where power and influence shape the narrative.
The Revolution Will Not Be Rated G – Keya Chatterjee
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian Fiction
Why read this book? Set in a future authoritarian Washington, DC, this hopeful story blends activism, romance, and resistance led by young people.
Monday’s Not Coming – Tiffany D. Jackson
Genre: Young Adult Fiction / Mystery
Why read this book? An intense and emotionally powerful novel that sheds light on the often-overlooked crisis of missing young Black girls.
Black Bear Goes to Washington – Denise A. Lawson
Genre: Children’s Book
Why read this book? A fun, family-friendly pick written by a local DMV author, this book follows an Alaskan sled dog on an adventure in the nation’s capital.
Casualties of Truth – Lauren Francis-Sharma
Genre: Suspense, Contemporary Fiction
Why read this book? Written by a DC-area author, this gripping novel alternates between DC and South Africa, exploring themes of personal sacrifice, hidden truths, and resilience.
Creatures of Passage – Morowa Yejidé
Genre: Literary Fiction / Magical Realism
Why read this book? A haunting family story set in 1970s Anacostia that weaves grief, memory, and the supernatural.
Heartburn – Nora Ephron
Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Satire
Why read this book? A sharp, witty novel about love, ambition, and betrayal, inspired by life in Washington, DC
Pride and Protest
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Why read this book? Taking place in DC it brings a new twist to Pride and Prejudice.
