The novel follows the story of Gertie Nevels, a strong-willed and talented woman from the Kentucky hills, who is uprooted from her rural home when her husband finds work in Detroit during World War II. As a skilled woodcarver and a devoted mother, Gertie struggles to maintain her family's Appalachian values and way of life amidst the harsh realities of urban industrial society. Her dream of buying back her family's homestead is challenged by the demands of her new environment, leading to a poignant exploration of identity, resilience, and the clash between rural and urban cultures during a time of societal change.

Set in the 1930s on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, the novel follows the life of a struggling African American family living in a small fishing village. The narrative centers around the hardships and resilience of the family, particularly focusing on the mother, who is determined to ensure that her child survives the harsh realities of poverty, racism, and a lack of access to proper healthcare. The story is a poignant exploration of the human spirit and the community's fight against systemic oppression, capturing the enduring hope for a better future amidst the dire circumstances of the Great Depression.

The novel follows the life of Jayber Crow, a man who returns to his small hometown in Kentucky after being orphaned and spending time in a seminary. He becomes the town's barber, a position that allows him to observe and meditate on the town's inhabitants and their daily lives. Throughout the novel, Jayber grapples with love, faith, and the changing world around him, providing a thoughtful exploration of community, the natural world, and the search for spiritual truth.

Half Broke Horses is a novel based on the life of the author's grandmother, Lily Casey Smith, who grew up in the early 1900s on a ranch in Texas. The book follows Lily's journey from a young girl with a thirst for adventure to a strong-willed woman who becomes a teacher, a rancher, and a mother. Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks, Lily remains determined and resilient, forging her own path in a world that often tries to limit her. The book is a tribute to the indomitable spirit of one remarkable woman and a celebration of the American West.

"The Town" is the final installment in a trilogy depicting the pioneering American spirit. It follows Sayward Wheeler, the daughter of a pioneer, as she witnesses the transformation of the Ohio wilderness into a bustling town. She experiences the joy and pain of motherhood, the comfort and loneliness of marriage, and the satisfaction and despair of building a home, all while observing the encroachment of civilization on the wilderness she loves. The novel explores themes of progress, change, and the cost of civilization.

"Plains Song" is a novel that explores the lives of three generations of women living in the midwestern plains of America. The story delves into their struggles, joys, and the harsh realities of life in a patriarchal society. It portrays the complexities of family relationships, particularly between mothers and daughters, and the influence of the past on the present. The narrative is a poignant reflection on the passage of time, the impermanence of life, and the enduring nature of the human spirit.