Rudolfo Anaya wrote “Bless Me, Ultima,” a story about a boy named Antonio growing up in New Mexico during the 1940s. When Ultima, a curandera, comes to live with his family, Antonio begins to question his faith, his culture, and his identity.
The novel explores his experiences with folk healing, his bond with Ultima, and his encounters with both light and dark forces in his world. The setting and characters bring the land and culture of the region to life.
The book “The Blessing Way” by Tony Hillerman introduces readers to Joe Leaphorn, a Navajo Tribal Police officer. He investigates a puzzling death in the New Mexico desert, where traditional Navajo beliefs and rituals intertwine with modern crime.
The story mixes a murder mystery with an exploration of Navajo culture, capturing the harsh beauty of the Southwest.
“Dance Hall of the Dead” by Tony Hillerman is a mystery novel set in New Mexico. It follows Navajo Tribal Police Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn as he investigates the disappearance of a young Zuni boy and the murder of his Navajo friend.
The story explores Navajo and Zuni cultures, focusing on their traditions and beliefs. The setting captures the stark beauty of the New Mexico landscape, adding an atmospheric touch to the investigation.
Willa Cather’s “Death Comes for the Archbishop” tells the story of Father Jean Marie Latour, a French priest sent to New Mexico in the mid-19th century to establish a diocese.
The novel follows his journey through the rugged terrain and his encounters with the diverse people of the region, including Native Americans, Mexican villagers, and American settlers.
Through his quiet determination, Latour works to build a spiritual home and navigates the challenges of his mission in this stark yet vibrant landscape.
Cormac McCarthy’s “Cities of the Plain” tells the story of two cowboys, John Grady Cole and Billy Parham, as they work on a ranch in New Mexico in the 1950s.
The book explores their friendship and the challenges they face, including John’s love for a young woman caught in dangerous circumstances across the Mexican border.
Their world is one where tradition clashes with change, and the harsh beauty of the land mirrors the struggles in their lives.
“House Made of Dawn” by N. Scott Momaday tells the story of Abel, a young Native American man who returns to his reservation in New Mexico after serving in World War II.
Struggling to reconnect with his cultural roots and identity, he navigates life between modern society and his Indigenous heritage.
The novel paints a vivid picture of the landscape and traditions of the region, weaving in elements of Pueblo rituals and spiritual connections tied to the land.
The novel “Red Sky at Morning” by Richard Bradford is about a teenage boy named Josh Arnold who moves with his mother to a small town in New Mexico during World War II after his father joins the Navy.
Adjusting to the new environment, Josh navigates cultural differences and relationships in a quirky, tight-knit community. The story explores his journey from adolescence to maturity, set against the rugged backdrop of New Mexico’s mountains and traditions.
“Roswell High” by Melinda Metz is a YA series that mixes high school drama with alien secrets. It follows a group of teens in Roswell, New Mexico, who uncover otherworldly truths about their origins after a life-saving moment reveals one of them is not from Earth.
The story weaves friendship, romance, and the constant threat of discovery into the lives of these teens as they navigate both alien abilities and human struggles. It’s a small-town setting with big stakes and plenty of mystery.
“The Crossing” by Cormac McCarthy follows the journey of a young boy named Billy Parham across the harsh landscapes of New Mexico and Mexico. After capturing a wolf, he decides to return it to its native land instead of killing it.
His travels lead him into encounters with people and events that shape his understanding of the world’s beauty and cruelty. It’s a story about struggle, survival, and the bond between humans and the wild.
The book “The Girl Who Chased Away Sorrow” by Ann Turner tells the story of Sarah Nita, a young Navajo girl who experiences the Long Walk, a forced relocation of her people.
Through her diary, she shares her struggles to survive, her fears for her family, and her determination to hold on to her culture. The story captures her journey across harsh landscapes and the strength she finds in her heritage.
“Trinity: A Graphic History of the First Atomic Bomb” by Jonathan Fetter-Vorm tells the story behind the creation of the atomic bomb. The book explores the science, the key figures, and the events surrounding the Manhattan Project.
It shows the desert setting of New Mexico, where the bomb was developed and tested, and captures the tension of the moment when the first detonation changed history forever.
“The Wonderful Country” by Thomas C. Lea, III follows Martín Bredi, a young American who has been living in Mexico after fleeing Texas as a boy. He works for a powerful Mexican landowner while caught between two worlds, Mexico and the United States.
When Martín returns to Texas on business, he struggles with his loyalty to both sides of the border. The story is filled with vivid descriptions of the land and people, capturing the challenges of identity and belonging in this harsh yet beautiful region.
“...And Now Miguel” by Joseph Krumgold is about a young boy named Miguel Chavez, who dreams of joining the men in his family as they take their sheep to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Set in rural New Mexico, the story explores Miguel’s deep connection to the land and his struggle to grow up and be seen as capable. His longing to prove himself and his quiet determination show his heartfelt desire to belong.
“The Five Wounds” by Kirstin Valdez Quade is about Amadeo, a man in his thirties struggling to find purpose in a small New Mexico town. During Holy Week, he is chosen to play Jesus in a local Passion play, hoping it will bring redemption.
His life takes an unexpected turn when his pregnant teenage daughter, Angel, shows up on his doorstep. The story follows their fractured relationship as they both try to navigate their lives and decisions, touching on family, faith, and second chances.
Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child wrote “Mount Dragon,” a thriller set in the deserts of New Mexico. The story follows Guy Carson, a geneticist working at a remote lab owned by a biotech company.
As he attempts to develop a revolutionary medical breakthrough, he uncovers deadly secrets about the project that put him and others in danger. The harsh environment of the desert adds an intense backdrop to the unraveling chaos.
The book “The Turquoise” by Anya Seton follows the life of Santa Fe-born Oriana, who rises from the simplicity of her New Mexican roots to the opulent society of New York in the 1800s. Her journey is tied to a mysterious turquoise amulet, which seems to influence her fate.
The story explores her ambitions, relationships, and the choices that shape her life in both love and fortune.
The novel “The Fast Red Road: A Plainsong” by Stephen Graham Jones is about a young man named Pidgin, who is trying to piece together his identity as he journeys through the Southwest. The story is a mix of wild landscapes, personal struggles, and surreal moments.
At its heart, it’s about Pidgin’s search for answers after his father’s death and a deeper connection to his heritage. The setting in New Mexico brings a raw and vivid backdrop to his chaotic and strange experiences.
Edward Abbey wrote “Fire on the Mountain,” a story about an old rancher named John Vogelin who refuses to give up his land when the government tries to take it for a missile range.
The story follows Vogelin’s fight against the authorities, with help from his grandson and a loyal friend. The rugged landscape of New Mexico serves as the backdrop, highlighting both the beauty of the land and the deep connection Vogelin feels to it.
The book “Haters” by Alisa Valdes follows Pasquala Rumalda Quintana de Archuleta, a New Mexico teenager who transfers to a new high school in California. She meets the popular girls but soon realizes their world isn’t as glamorous as it seems.
The story explores high school friendships, class differences, and self-discovery, with the backdrop of vibrant New Mexico shaping Pasquala’s experiences and identity.
The novel “Lost Children Archive” by Valeria Luiselli follows a family on a road trip through the American Southwest, heading toward New Mexico.
The parents are documenting stories for separate projects, while their two children observe the changing landscape and their parents’ quiet unraveling.
Along the way, the story weaves in the plight of migrant children at the border, creating a layered narrative that connects personal and political journeys. The backdrop of New Mexico plays a crucial role, adding to the sense of vastness and isolation.
The novel “A Million Heavens” by John Brandon weaves together the lives of a group of people gathered outside a small-town hospital in New Mexico. They wait for a young boy in a coma to show signs of recovery.
The story moves between their personal struggles and the mysterious connections that tie them together. There’s a grieving father, a wolf roaming the landscape, and a musician who suddenly disappears.
Through these characters, the book explores themes of loss and longing against the backdrop of the New Mexico desert.
“The Professor’s House” by Willa Cather tells the story of Professor Godfrey St. Peter, a man reflecting on his life as he faces changes in his career and family.
The narrative explores his attachment to his old study, where memories of the past resurface, including the life and tragic death of his former student, Tom Outland. The book captures the contrast between personal ambition and the emotional ties that linger.
Its quiet, introspective tone creates a vivid sense of place, particularly in its descriptions of the Southwest, where Tom’s discoveries shaped his life and inspired those around him.
“Tyrannosaur Canyon” by Douglas Preston is a fast-paced thriller set in New Mexico’s rugged landscapes. The story begins with a secretive murder tied to a dinosaur fossil discovery that holds a shocking revelation.
Former monk Tom Broadbent finds himself caught in a dangerous web involving a NASA scientist, a mysterious artifact, and people who will stop at nothing to guard their secrets. The desert backdrop and the hunt for answers give the story a sense of adventure and danger.