The second-largest state in the United States of America, Texas, is home to expansive landscapes, a colorful past, and a variety of cultural traditions. Texas offers a breathtaking background for storytelling, from the vast deserts of West Texas to the lush pine forests of the East, from the bright beaches of the Gulf Coast to the rugged beauty of the Hill Country. Legends of cowboys, ranchers, and oil barons, as well as intricate tales of Native American, Mexican, and immigrant influences, have left their mark on its past. Reading books set in Texas offers an immersive journey into this dynamic state, allowing readers to delve into a variety of genres from Westerns and historical fiction to modern mysteries, while learning about its distinctive combination of cultures, its famous landscapes, and its complex past.
Lonesome Dove
Larry McMurtry | 1985 | Texas Frontier
This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is a classic Western set in the Texas frontier. It follows the epic cattle drive of two retired Texas Rangers, Woodrow F. Call and Augustus “Gus” McCrae, from the Rio Grande to Montana.
Friday Night Lights
H.G. Bissinger | 1990 | Odessa, Texas
This non-fiction book is set in Odessa, Texas, and follows the journey of the 1988 Permian High School Panthers football team. It explores the obsession with high school football in Texas and the impact it has on the community.
No Country for Old Men
Cormac McCarthy | 2005 | West Texas/Terrell County
Set in West Texas, this novel tells the story of a hunter who stumbles upon a drug deal gone wrong, leading to a tense and violent pursuit by a ruthless killer.
The Time It Never Rained
Elmer Kelton | 1973 | West Texas
Set during a severe drought in Texas, this novel tells the story of a stubborn rancher named Charlie Flagg as he struggles to survive and protect his way of life.
Blood Meridian
Cormac McCarthy | 1985 | Texas Frontier
Another novel by Cormac McCarthy, this book is set in the borderlands of Texas and Mexico during the mid-19th century. It follows a runaway teenager who joins a violent gang of scalp hunters.
The Son
Philipp Meyer | 2013 | 19th-21st century Texas
This multi-generational family saga is set in Texas and spans from the early 1800s to the present day. It explores the rise of one family in the Lone Star State and its impact on the land and people.
Whether you’re seeking adventure on the open range, the intrigue of borderland stories, or the charm of small-town life, Texas is a literary treasure trove waiting to be discovered.
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