Best Books About Colorado

This captivating epic celebrates the American West through the stories of Colorado's people, from Native American chieftains to homesteaders and hunters. This masterpiece is full of drama and conflict that shaped the legendary West and the entire country. Michener's imaginative and intricate storytelling also educates readers about American history. Critics hail Centennial as a must-read for fans of Michener and an absorbing work for anyone interested in the stories that shaped America.

This heartwarming novel tells the story of a high school teacher who raises his two boys alone in a small town in Colorado after their mother leaves. An unexpected teen pregnancy and the lives of two elderly bachelors add depth to the portrait of a resilient community bound by fate and circumstance. Kent Haruf's emotional and aesthetic authority makes this novel a classic American tradition to believe in and learn from.

Experience a moving story set in the late 1880s where a young Cheyenne boy is forced to attend a boarding school and learn the ways of the white man. Watch as Young Bull struggles to hold onto his heritage and identity, sparking discussions about justice and culture that will last long after the final page.

Discover the beautiful topography of Colorado with "C is for Centennial". Illustrations by Helle Urban perfectly capture the unique landscape, while Louise Whitney's rhyming verse and expository text help expand our understanding of the Rockies, Blue spruces, Springs, and Yucca plants that paint this land. This engaging alphabet book is perfect for readers of all ages, making it an excellent addition to any book collection.

Cry Father is a haunting novel about men, their fathers, their sons, and the legacy of violence. Following the protagonist Patterson Wells, a tree clearer in disaster zones who is still grieving the loss of his son, the story delves into his encounter with an old acquaintance who has a woman tied up in the bathtub. This chain of events tests Patterson's morals and past, making for a gripping read. Benjamin Whitmer has been hailed as "the next great American writer", crafting a literary triumph that is darkly comic, wise, and at times harrowing.

Escape to the wild Rockies with Karen Auvinen as she seeks answers to life's big questions in "Rough Beauty." In this captivating memoir, Auvinen's determination to live on her own terms leads her to a primitive cabin, where she grapples with solitude, loses everything in a fire, and embarks on a heroic journey to find community. With echoes of Annie Dillard and Gretel Ehrlich, this "beautiful, contemplative" debut honors the wildness of the Rockies and offers a glimpse into a life pared down to its essentials. Exploring themes of resilience and the allure of nature, "Rough Beauty" is a luminous and lyrical exploration of finding one's own path and embracing the unpredictability and grace of living intimately with the forces of nature.

Discover Colorado's top rock climbing areas with routes for climbers of all levels, ranging from 5.0 to 5.14. Get ready to challenge yourself in the great outdoors!

Embark on a journey of self-discovery with a group of friends as they explore the open highways of America in this timeless Beat classic by Jack Kerouac. Soon to be a major motion picture with a star-studded cast, this revolutionary masterpiece captures the essence of the Beat Generation and will leave a lasting impact on readers.