Larry McMurtry wrote “Lonesome Dove,” a story about two retired Texas Rangers, Augustus McCrae and Woodrow Call, who take on a difficult cattle drive from Texas to Montana.
The book paints a vivid picture of the old West, filled with dangerous outlaws, harsh weather, and personal struggles. Along the way, unforgettable characters like the tough cowboy Dish Boggett and the tragic Lorena Wood make the journey unforgettable.
It’s full of moments that show both the beauty and brutality of life on the frontier.
“All the Pretty Horses” by Cormac McCarthy follows John Grady Cole, a teenager who leaves Texas after losing his family’s ranch. He heads to Mexico with dreams of a cowboy’s life and an escape from the modern world.
Along the way, he faces dangerous challenges and falls for a girl tied to a wealthy ranch owner. The story explores loyalty, loss, and the struggles of holding onto an old way of life.
“No Country for Old Men” by Cormac McCarthy tells the story of a man who stumbles on a drug deal gone wrong in the Texas desert, finding a bag of cash.
This discovery sets off a deadly chain of events involving a psychopathic hitman and a local sheriff trying to make sense of the chaos. The book explores themes of violence and morality, all set against a stark and unforgiving landscape.
“Old Yeller” by Fred Gipson tells the story of a young boy named Travis Coates who bonds with a stray dog on his family’s Texas ranch. Set in the late 1860s, the novel shows the challenges of frontier life.
Old Yeller protects the family and livestock from threats, forming a deep connection with Travis. The story is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, showing the hardships and responsibilities that come with growing up.
“Texas” by James Michener is a sweeping novel that explores the history and evolution of Texas through the stories of several families spanning centuries.
It begins with early Spanish exploration, moves through the days of the Alamo, and follows the development of cattle ranches, oil empires, and modern cities.
The book weaves together events like battles, migrations, and conflicts over land and identity, showing how the state grew into what it is today. Familiar figures and moments in Texas history come to life, making the historical journey vivid and engaging.
Rick Riordan wrote “Big Red Tequila,” a mystery novel following Tres Navarre, a laid-back private investigator who returns to his hometown of San Antonio after ten years. Tres comes back to face the unsolved murder of his father, uncovering buried secrets and a web of danger.
The story dives into Texas culture, with detailed settings and colorful characters that make the backdrop come alive.
“News of the World” by Paulette Jiles takes place in post-Civil War Texas. The story follows Captain Jefferson Kidd, a widower and veteran, as he travels across the state delivering live readings of newspapers to communities hungry for news.
He is tasked with escorting a ten-year-old girl, Johanna, who was kidnapped and raised by the Kiowa and is now being returned to her relatives. Their journey through dangerous and unsettled lands tests their trust in each other, as they face challenges at every turn.
The bond they form becomes the heart of the novel.
The book “Savage Sam” by Fred Gipson follows the adventures of Travis and Arliss Coates as they head into dangerous territory to rescue kidnapped settlers. Savage Sam, the loyal and courageous hound, plays a key role in tracking the captors.
Set in the wild Texas frontier, the story is filled with danger, bravery, and the powerful bond between the brothers and their dog.
The book “The Son” by Philipp Meyer focuses on the history of a Texas family across multiple generations. It begins with Eli McCullough, who is kidnapped by the Comanche as a young boy and grows up among them.
His life, shaped by survival and violence, sets the tone for the family’s rise in Texas through cattle ranching and oil.
The story also weaves in the lives of his descendants, from the fierce ambition of his son to the struggles of his great-granddaughter with the family’s legacy.
“All the Earth, Thrown to the Sky” by Joe R. Lansdale tells the story of Jack, a young boy in Dust Bowl-era Texas, who loses his parents and sets off on an unexpected journey.
Teaming up with two other kids, Jane and her brother Tony, they steal a car and end up in the middle of trouble involving outlaws and danger. The harsh realities of the Depression mixed with gritty characters make this a tense and memorable adventure.
Joe R. Lansdale wrote “The Bottoms,” a dark and atmospheric tale set in 1930s East Texas. The story follows a boy named Harry who stumbles upon the body of a murdered woman near the Sabine River.
As more deaths occur, Harry and his father, a local constable, try to uncover the truth while facing the prejudice and tension of the time. The book weaves a murder mystery into the backdrop of a small, struggling community during the Great Depression.
The book “The Headless Horseman” by Thomas Mayne Reid is set in the Texas frontier during the mid-19th century. It tells the story of Maurice Gerald, an Irish émigré and mustanger, who becomes entangled in a web of romance, jealousy, and betrayal.
The tale revolves around a mysterious figure, the headless horseman, whose eerie appearances fuel fear and speculation among the characters. The novel captures the rugged landscape of Texas and explores themes of love, revenge, and survival.
The book “Sironia, Texas” by Madison Cooper is an epic story about life in a small Texas town during the early 20th century. It explores the lives of the town’s residents, showing the social structures, personal struggles, and hidden secrets that shape their relationships.
At the heart of the story is a wealthy family whose influence spreads across the community, revealing tensions and conflicts beneath the surface of Southern charm.
Annie Proulx wrote “That Old Ace in the Hole,” a novel about Bob Dollar, a young man sent to the Texas Panhandle to scout for land for a hog farming corporation.
As Bob interacts with the local community, he uncovers stories about their lives, the decline of rural towns, and the struggles of preserving traditions. The book paints a vivid picture of the Panhandle’s landscapes and the quirky, resilient people who call it home.
The book “Echo Burning” by Lee Child follows Jack Reacher as he hitchhikes through West Texas and gets picked up by Carmen Greer, a woman in trouble. She claims her abusive husband is about to be released from prison and fears for her life.
Reacher gets drawn into her dangerous world, uncovering secrets tied to greed, lies, and murder in the wide-open landscapes of Texas.
Billy Lee Brammer wrote “The Gay Place,” a novel that paints a vivid picture of Texas politics through the lives of three individuals connected to a larger-than-life governor.
The book is set in the 1950s and dives into personal struggles, ambition, and the complicated relationships between power and morality.
Each character’s story reflects a different angle of the political world, creating a tapestry of emotions and conflicts tied to the Texas landscape.
The “The Lone Star Ranger” by Zane Grey tells the tale of Buck Duane, an outlaw who struggles with his own nature while trying to find redemption.
Set against the rugged backdrop of Texas, the story follows Buck as he navigates the dangerous world of outlaws, lawmen, and shifting loyalties. It captures the tension of life on the frontier, with Buck facing his inner battles as much as the dangers around him.
Dorothy Scarborough wrote “The Wind,” a haunting tale set in the isolated plains of Texas. It follows Letty, a young woman from Virginia, who moves to the harsh and unyielding landscape.
As she struggles with loneliness and the relentless wind, her mental state starts to unravel. The story captures the brutal reality of life on the frontier, where nature feels alive and overwhelming, shaping the characters’ lives in unpredictable ways.
The book “Goodbye to a River” by John Graves is a reflective account of a canoe trip on the Brazos River. As the narrator paddles through the landscape, he weaves together memories, local history, and the natural beauty of Texas.
The book captures the spirit of the region, touching on the struggles of settlers and the passing of a way of life.
The novel “Last of the Duanes” by Zane Grey follows Buck Duane, a young man forced into the life of an outlaw after a deadly shooting.
Set against the raw and untamed Texas frontier, the story explores his struggles with guilt and his encounters with lawmen, bandits, and those searching for justice in a dangerous land.
Buck’s journey is filled with gunfights, tension, and moments where he questions what kind of man he wants to become.
The book “Vernon God Little” by DBC Pierre tells the story of a teenager named Vernon, who becomes the focus of a small Texas town after a school shooting rampage committed by his friend.
As gossip spreads and the justice system turns against him, Vernon’s life spirals into chaos.
Charlaine Harris wrote “Living Dead in Dallas,” the second book in the Sookie Stackhouse series. In this story, Sookie, a waitress who can read minds, gets swept into a strange mystery when a vampire is murdered and her friend Lafayette is found dead in an unexpected place.
As she digs into the secrets of the supernatural community in Texas, she discovers dangerous truths about vampires, shapeshifters, and humans. The book mixes mystery and Southern charm with plenty of surprises.