More Than Desert and Gambling
Hunter S. Thompson’s infamous book Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas won’t get you closer to the non-tourist view of Nevada. The list below highlights books written by locals.
Send your own suggestions and please don’t forget to tell me why you think that book is a good book for this state. The book doesn’t need to be explicitly about the state, only clearly set in it and written by someone who actually lived there. I have a bias towards books written by authors who are still living so that we can reflect more on today’s reality but I won’t turn down a classic if you make a good argument for it!
Books are in no order of preference. That they are on this list is not a reflection of my personal taste or even that I’ve read them — I want you to find what works for you.
Battleborn by Clare Vaye Watkins, short stories
Beautiful Children by Charles Bock, fiction
The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett by Chelsea Sedoti, YA / coming-of-age
The Motel Life by Willy Vlautin, fiction
Paradise, Nevada by Dario Diofebi, fiction
We Are Called to Rise by Laura McBride, fiction
Purchase via Bookshop to support independent bookstores.
Purchase via Amazon? Links coming soon.
Photo credit: Erick Zajac