“Centennial” by James A. Michener is an epic tale that spans the history of Colorado from the prehistoric era to the modern day.
The story starts with the formation of the land and then follows the lives of the Arapaho Indians and the establishment of cattle ranching. It's a sweeping journey through time that captures the essence of Colorado's rich history.
“Plainsong” by Kent Haruf tells the quiet and heartfelt story of life in a small Colorado town. It intertwines the lives of a schoolteacher, two elderly bachelor farmers, a pregnant teenager, and a motherless boy.
Their lives intersect in unexpected ways as they face struggles and loneliness, finding connection and a sense of family along the way. The book captures the stark beauty of the Colorado plains and reflects the bonds that can form in a close-knit community
“The Song of the Lark” by Willa Cather tells the story of Thea Kronborg, a young girl from a small Colorado town who dreams of becoming an opera singer. As Thea grows up, she faces challenges related to her ambition, talent, and relationships.
Her journey takes her from the dusty streets of Moonstone, Colorado, to the wider world, guided by her deep connection to music and the rugged landscapes of her home state. The novel captures the spirit of self-discovery and the pursuit of art.
The novel “Angle of Repose” is about a retired historian named Lyman Ward, who immerses himself in the letters and life of his grandmother, Susan Burling Ward. She was a writer and artist who moved west in the late 19th century.
The story contrasts her experiences of frontier life with Lyman’s modern-day struggles. It explores relationships, personal sacrifice, and the challenges of adapting to a rugged, unfamiliar landscape.
The novel vividly portrays Colorado’s mining towns and captures the hardships of building a life in the West.
“The Dog Stars” by Peter Heller is set in a post-apocalyptic Colorado, where a pilot named Hig lives in an abandoned airport with his dog and a volatile neighbor.
The world has been devastated by a flu pandemic, and Hig struggles to survive in this harsh reality while dealing with loneliness and memories of his past.
When he hears a faint radio transmission, he embarks on a dangerous quest, hoping to find life beyond the desolation of his daily existence.
The book “Wait Until Spring, Bandini” by John Fante tells the story of Arturo Bandini, a young boy growing up in a poor Italian-American family in the small town of Rocklin, Colorado.
The story explores his struggles with poverty, his difficult relationship with his father, and his longing for a better life.
Set in the 1920s, the novel paints a vivid picture of a family trying to make it through a harsh winter, where dreams clash with the hard realities of their world.
Cameron’s novel “A Dog’s Way Home” follows the journey of a dog named Bella as she tries to find her way back to her owner, Lucas, after they are separated.
Along the way, Bella faces various challenges and meets new people and animals, including an orphaned cougar she befriends.
The story emphasizes the strong bond between Bella and Lucas and showcases Bella’s determination to reunite with her human family. Set against the backdrop of Colorado’s landscapes, the book explores themes of loyalty and resilience.
This novel was adapted into a film in 2019, which stars Bryce Dallas Howard and Ashley Judd.
Luke Short is the author of “High Vermilion,” a Western novel set in the rugged landscapes of Colorado. The story follows Dave Baxter as he ventures into a mining town embroiled in a power struggle over gold claims.
Filled with tension between ruthless rivals and determined characters, the book captures the danger and grit of the Old West. The vivid setting and sharp conflicts bring the mining boomtown to life as Baxter fights to protect what matters to him.
“The Mountain Lion” by Jean Stafford tells the story of two siblings, Lucy and Ralph, who grow up in California but spend their summers on a Colorado ranch.
Lucy is artistic and intellectual, while Ralph dreams of ranch life and becomes deeply drawn to their uncle’s rugged world.
The novel explores their changing relationship as they navigate childhood, family tensions, and the pull of their different aspirations against the backdrop of the Colorado wilderness.
“The Shining” by Stephen King is about a family that moves to the Overlook Hotel in Colorado for the winter, where the father, Jack Torrance, takes a job as the caretaker. While isolated in the sprawling and eerie hotel, Jack begins to unravel under the hotel’s influence.
His son, Danny, has a strange ability called “the shining” that lets him see the dark secrets of the place, including the ghosts and malevolent forces haunting it. The hotel’s hold on Jack grows stronger, putting his family in terrible danger.
This novel was famously adapted into a film directed by Stanley Kubrick in 1980. The movie stars Jack Nicholson and has become a classic in the horror genre.
“Katherine Anne Porter: Pale Horse, Pale Rider: Three Short Novels” is a collection of three shorter works. One of them, “Pale Horse, Pale Rider,” is set during the 1918 influenza pandemic in Colorado.
It follows Miranda, a newspaper reporter, as she falls in love with a soldier named Adam during a time of looming war and illness. The story captures the haunting atmosphere of the era, with its sense of fragility and fleeting happiness.
The other two novellas, “Old Mortality” and “Noon Wine,” explore themes of memory, family, and hidden truths, showcasing Porter’s keen ability to examine human nature.
“Strands of Sunlight” by Gael Baudino is set in Denver and follows a woman named Victoria, a troubled musician who is struggling to overcome her past and find her purpose.
The story blends everyday life with elements of magic as Victoria encounters elves in the city who help her rediscover music and healing. It’s a mix of urban environments and fantasy that creates a unique backdrop for her personal journey.
“John Edward Williams’” novel “Butcher’s Crossing” tells the story of a young man named Will Andrews, who leaves Harvard in the 1870s to seek adventure in the untamed West.
He arrives in a small Kansas town and joins a buffalo hunting expedition deep into the mountains of Colorado. The novel follows their harsh journey, capturing the brutal realities of survival, the obsession with hunting, and the toll it takes on the men involved.
It explores the tension between the allure of wilderness and the destruction that often comes with it.
“Mission to America” by Walter Kirn is about Mason LaVerle, a member of a secluded religious group called the Aboriginal Fulfilled Apostles. Tasked with recruiting new members to save their dwindling community, Mason ventures out into modern America.
The book follows his journey as he navigates a culture that feels alien to him. From strange cities to unexpected relationships, Mason’s experiences highlight the clash between his simple upbringing and the chaotic outside world.
“Bellwether” by Connie Willis is about researcher Sandra Foster, who studies fads and trends. Her controlled world is thrown off course when she crosses paths with a chaotic office assistant and a grant application gone wrong.
Along the way, sheep, misunderstandings, and human behavior all play a part in the quirky, science-driven narrative. The story weaves humor and unexpected connections into its exploration of how people follow and create trends.
“On the Road” by Jack Kerouac captures the restless energy of a group of friends crisscrossing America in search of experiences that make them feel alive.
Parts of their journey take them through Colorado, where the mountains serve as a backdrop to their wild adventures and deep conversations.
The novel follows Sal Paradise, a young writer, and his charismatic friend Dean Moriarty as they seek freedom, connection, and meaning in a fast-paced, chaotic world.
“The Poet” by Michael Connelly begins with journalist Jack McEvoy investigating his twin brother’s apparent suicide, which doesn’t add up. As he digs deeper, he discovers a connection to a series of deaths across the country.
Each is staged to look like suicide but hides a darker truth. The story takes him to Colorado, where chilling clues lead to a mysterious killer.
“The Christopher Killer” by Alane Ferguson is a mystery that follows Cameryn Mahoney, a teenager who works as her town’s assistant coroner in Colorado. When a local girl is found murdered, Cameryn’s forensic skills are put to the test.
The story dives into her investigations while she navigates the emotional weight of dealing with death, especially as the killer seems closer than she ever expected.
“Johnny Got His Gun” by Dalton Trumbo is a powerful story about Joe Bonham, a young soldier who is horrifically injured in World War I. He loses his arms, legs, and most of his face, leaving him unable to see, speak, or hear.
Trumbo takes readers into Joe’s painful isolation, where he reflects on his past and struggles to find a way to communicate. The novel raises questions about war, human dignity, and the will to survive.
“The Stand” by Stephen King is a story about a deadly plague that wipes out most of humanity, leaving the survivors to choose between two competing forces. Some characters are drawn to the kind and wise Mother Abagail, while others follow the sinister Randall Flagg.
The book takes place across various locations, including parts of Colorado, where pivotal confrontations and moments unfold. The stark emptiness of post-apocalyptic landscapes and the tension between good and evil keep you hooked.
“All Seated on the Ground” by Connie Willis is a humorous tale about a reporter and a choir director who team up to communicate with strange, silent aliens that have landed on Earth.
The twist comes when they realize the aliens react only to certain Christmas carols, leading to some quirky and unexpected interactions. The story blends festive cheer with a lighthearted exploration of human and alien behavior.
“The Probability Broach” by L. Neil Smith is a fascinating mix of alternate history and science fiction. The story follows Edward “Win” Bear, a detective in a dystopian United States, who stumbles into a parallel universe.
In this other world, where the American Revolution led to a libertarian utopia, Win unravels a murder mystery while grappling with this society’s freedom-driven way of life.
The Colorado setting plays a significant role, offering a unique backdrop where philosophy and action collide.
“Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand is a novel set partly in Colorado, where much of the story unfolds as industrialists, innovators, and creators grapple with a world turning hostile to their achievements.
The mysterious valley in Colorado, hidden from the rest of the world, serves as a refuge for society’s brightest minds, offering an intriguing setting for the themes of individualism and ambition.
Central characters like Dagny Taggart and John Galt work through a collapsing economic system, with Colorado becoming a symbol of hope and innovation amidst the chaos.
“Smart Women” by Judy Blume is about two divorced women trying to navigate life in Boulder, Colorado. Margo and B.B. are long-time friends, both juggling careers, family, and the challenges of starting over.
Their lives get shaken up when unexpected relationships and personal struggles test their friendship and force them to confront their own choices. The story touches on motherhood, love, and the complexities of modern relationships.