11 Colorado Books We’re Adding to Our Summer TBR

The warmer months are a time for relaxation and catching up on all that we haven’t read, so we checked with the experts at the world-renowned Tattered Cover to get some recommendations for your summer reading list.

Whether you’re headed to the high country or a secluded beach, these books are all worthy of a place in your suitcase.

Jump Ahead:

• And Side by Side They Wander by Molly Tanzer
• Moss’d in Space by Rebecca Thorne
• Dirty 20 by Bill Schweigart
• Wisdom Corner by David Heska Wanbli Weiden
• The Dog Stars by Peter Heller
• Cornered Office by Melissa Doman
• Appraisals by Claire Boyles
• Small Towns USA by Brenna Darling
• Shadows in Dream Stone by Kelly K. Branyik
• When They Came Home by Terri Lewis
• A Voice in the Dark by Barbara Nickless

8 Summer Reads Chosen by the Experts at Denver’s Tattered Cover

And Side by Side They Wander by Molly Tanzer

Molly Tanzer deftly blends an art heist—in space!—with the myth of Eurydice and Orpheus in this inventive sci-fi novella that explores themes of savior imperialism. What begins as a fast-paced adventure gradually morphs into an emotional yarn with surprising depth. I found myself thinking about the story’s characters, questions, and ideas long after I turned the final page. Though brief, And Side by Side They Wander delivers a lingering impact that far exceeds its length. —Jen Martin, Tattered Cover buyer

Moss’d in Space by Rebecca Thorne

Torian Razner has saved up for years to buy a starship, a “meteoric sign of stupidity,” according to her definitely not-romantic partner Amelia, only to end up with Moss—an alien vessel covered in very opinionated sentient flora. Torian may be awful at a lot of things, including the art of survival, but she and the colorful cast of characters populating Rebecca Thorne’s universe make for delightful companions on this interstellar journey. As they chart a course through the stars, the book unfurls into a wonderfully cozy found-family adventure filled with humor, heart, and plenty of charm. Perfect for readers of Becky Chambers, Martha Wells, and Travis Baldree, this is the kind of book that makes you want to stay aboard just a little longer. — Kend, Tattered Cover bookseller

Dirty 20 by Bill Schweigart

Set against the familiar backdrop of Denver, Dirty 20 follows a tough mafia family and prodigal son Tommy Fugue’s journey to discover where he truly belongs. Bill Schweigart’s fast-paced, character-focused writing style pairs perfectly with the nerdy, creative world of tabletop role-playing games (TTRPG) at the heart of the plot. While the story will especially resonate with TTRPG fans, everyone can find something relatable in Tommy’s complicated family dynamics and quest to build a more authentic life. —Makayla Richard, Tattered Cover bookseller

Wisdom Corner by David Heska Wanbli Weiden

Wisdom Corner brings readers back to the vivid world of the Rosebud Indian Reservation from Weiden’s debut novel, Winter Counts, but now Virgil Wounded Horse must solve the murder of a respected mentor in the community. With every clue that brings him closer to the truth, Virgil encounters increasing resistance, shady political dealings, and violence from those determined to keep long-buried secrets hidden. Weiden’s gripping sophomore novel is a great read, particularly for fans of C.J. Box or Craig Johnson. —Mark L., Tattered Cover bookseller

The Dog Stars by Peter Heller

More than a decade after its original publication, The Dog Stars feels every bit as relevant now as when it was released in 2012. Set in a post-pandemic world where few humans remain, the novel follows Hig; his endearing dog, Jasper; and an unlikely friend, Bangley, as they eke out a living in what was once Erie, Colorado. Their most valuable possession is a 1956 Cessna 182, which serves as both their lifeline and a beacon of hope, when they hear a crackly voice through the radio one day. When Hig leaves the safety of their property to pursue the voice he heard on the radio, a captivating tale unravels. With the film adaptation starring Jacob Elordi arriving this August, there’s never been a better time to pick up this unforgettable Colorado novel. —Kathy Coble, Tattered Cover bookseller

Cornered Office by Melissa Doman

In Cornered Office, Melissa Doman addresses how leaders in the workplace can (and should) care for their mental health. Building on decades of work—from the T-groups (sensitivity training) of the 1960s to early diversity initiatives of the 1970s and ’80s—Doman explores challenges many organizations still face today. Whether at work, in schools, nonprofits, or places of worship, it can be hard to address problems when people lack the words and frameworks to do so. Doman gives leaders a guidebook to help them engage in honest conversations about mental health in ways that are compassionate and productive. In doing so, she creates more space for all of us to be fully human at work. —Derek Holland, Tattered Cover managing director

Appraisals by Claire Boyles

Although this multigenerational tale is set in the Great Recession, the themes of drought and economic strife aren’t far from the reality of today’s Colorado growers. Set in a farming community in Northern Colorado, Appraisals captures the complicated realities of being a steward of the land amidst a tough economy, water shortages and climate change. The story follows Maggie, a second-generation farmer at risk of losing her business; her husband, Fish, who takes a job at an oil company after a long period of unemployment; their teenage daughter and activist Ozzy; and Flora, the family’s matriarch. Through these interwoven perspectives, Boyles paints a nuanced portrait of a family and a way of life under strain, where survival is shaped by both personal choices and larger environmental and economic forces. Colorado readers will appreciate the vivid, honest depiction of our state in this tender novel. —Kathy Baum, Tattered Cover buyer

Small Towns USA by Brenna Darling

Move over, New York City. This charming travel guide by hospitality expert Brenna Darling will convince you to visit oft-overlooked towns in America, like Paducah, Kentucky and Egg Harbor, Wisconsin. Complemented by stunning photography from National Geographic, the book includes itineraries for 100 hamlets throughout all 50 states. Along the way, Darling digs into the culture and communities found in small-town America and brushes us up on their little-known history. It’s the perfect book for travelers of all kinds—especially those planning their next road trip. —Kat Long, Tattered Cover events manager

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These 3 New Books by Colorado Authors Will Haunt Your Summer Reading List

Shadows in Dream Stone by Kelly K. Branyik

• Fiction: Branyik imagines the United States 400 years from now as a dystopian society functioning under the guise of freedom. The novel follows a teacher named Abaddon Ordell who is sent to the brutal Dream Stone prison nine years after committing the crime of suffering a miscarriage.
• Fact: The Southern Colorado author conceived the story after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. “I felt so much rage, and when I have big, strong emotions, I typically channel them into writing,” Branyik says. She admits that the book may be painful for readers, but it’s meant to be difficult. “The point of the story is that it is hard to watch, and it is hard to go through,” Branyik says. “But a lot of stuff that happens in the story is stuff that happens in real life to women.”

When They Came Home by Terri Lewis

• Fiction: Edith, a woman with few romantic options, finally finds love in Milton, a soldier returning from World War I. The couple marry, have two daughters, and begin an ideal life together on the family farm in Kansas—until their relationship starts to strain because of Milton’s unresolved trauma from the war.
• Fact: Inspired by documents and diaries she discovered stashed in an old candy box, the Denver writer draws from her own family history to explore shell shock—now recognized as PTSD—and the silent battles some veterans, including her grandfather, endured long after the fighting ended. “Many portraits of the war focus on what the guy went through,” Lewis says. “But I very seldom have read anything about what happened to the women when their husbands came home.”

A Voice in the Dark by Barbara Nickless

• Fiction: This psychological thriller begins with the murder of a husband, wife, and son and the disappearance of the family’s teenage twins. As FBI profilers trace parallels to a past case, they uncover a sinister online figure manipulating vulnerable followers into violence.
• Fact: A Voice in the Dark taps into growing concerns about digital influence, online radicalization, and how virtual spaces can become dangerously real. “The idea that nobody has to physically walk into our houses to put us at risk, the fact that they can enter through any screen,” says Nickless, who lives in Colorado Springs. “There’s this omnipresent sense that we aren’t safe anywhere anymore. We have already opened the door and invited the villain in.”

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