Colorado, with its diverse landscapes and rich history, has been a setting and inspiration for numerous literary works. These books offer a diverse range of perspectives on Colorado, from its majestic landscapes to its rich history and vibrant communities. Whether you’re interested in fiction, non-fiction, or memoirs, there’s something on this list for every reader. Here’s a list of must-read books with connections to Colorado:

10 Must-Read Books With Connections To Colorado

1. The Shining by Stephen King

This iconic horror novel is set in the fictional Overlook Hotel in the Colorado Rockies. King’s vivid descriptions of the hotel’s eerie surroundings are inspired by the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, where he stayed in 1974.

2. Plainsong by Kent Haruf

Set in the fictional town of Holt, Colorado, this novel beautifully captures the lives of various characters navigating love, loss, and redemption in a small rural community on the eastern plains of Colorado.

3. Getting Over Vivian: A Memoir by Jill Carstens

“Getting Over Vivian is a story of family, love and loss set against a backdrop of familiar Front Range settings. And it’s a story about a changing place and the people who live, or lived, there.”—Kathryn White, The Denver North Star

4. Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner

While primarily set in various locations across the American West, including California and Idaho, this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel features significant scenes set in Colorado. Stegner’s exploration of Western landscapes and themes makes it a poignant read for those interested in the region.

5. The Ice Palace Waltz by Barbara L. Baer

In the autumn of 1895, citizens of Leadville, Colorado construct the Ice Palace: a last sign of hope for the fading silver mining town. There, on New Year’s Eve beneath the magic lights and frozen ramparts of this fantastic ice marvel, June Selig and Nathan Grensky, dance and fall in love. In The Ice Palace Waltz, two Jewish immigrant families—the rough and ready Western pioneers and the smooth, “our crowd” New Yorkers—come together in a riveting family saga amid the financial and social tumult of early twentieth century America. This novel also takes place in New York City and throughout Europe.

6. The Song of the Lark by Willa Cather

While Cather is often associated with Nebraska, this novel features scenes set in a fictional Colorado town called Moonstone. The protagonist, Thea Kronborg, hails from Moonstone and embarks on a journey of self-discovery as a talented singer.

7. Centennial by James A. Michener

This epic novel spans centuries of Colorado history, from prehistoric times to the 20th century, chronicling the lives of various families and their interactions with the land. Michener’s meticulous research and storytelling make this a captivating read for anyone interested in the state’s history.

8. The Dog Stars by Peter Heller

Set in a post-apocalyptic Colorado, this novel follows the journey of a man named Hig, who survives a flu pandemic and lives in an abandoned airport hangar with his dog. Heller’s vivid descriptions of the Colorado landscape add depth to the story of survival and hope.

9. The Wild Muir: Twenty-Two of John Muir’s Greatest Adventures edited by Lee Stetson

While not set entirely in Colorado, this collection of John Muir’s writings includes accounts of his explorations in the Rocky Mountains, including Colorado’s peaks and wilderness areas. Muir’s timeless observations of nature are a must-read for outdoor enthusiasts.

10. Smart Women by Judy Blume

“Margo and B.B. are each divorced, and each is trying to reinvent her life in Colorado—while their respective teenage daughters look on with a mixture of humor and horror. But even smart women sometimes have a lot to learn—and they will, when B.B.’s ex-husband moves in next door to Margo…”

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