Page Turners: Cozy Up With A Great Book From A Lone Star State Author

A person sitting by a lakeside campfire reads a book, with flames burning on stacked logs surrounded by rocks.

Mystery. Fantasy. Romance. Comedy. Fiction. Non-fiction. The list of genres of books available to purchase or borrow is seemingly endless today. No matter what you like to read about it, you’d be hard pressed not to find something that will hold your interest for several hundred pages. And with a large number of shorter, colder days looming on the horizon, there is plenty of time in the weeks ahead to settle onto the couch (near the fire, if possible!) with a good book. 

If you’re having a hard time honing your cold weather reading list, why not start by choosing an author from the Lone Star State? Texas is brimming with authors, both seasoned and up-and-comers, who have penned all sorts of interesting novels, from light-hearted rom coms to thought-provoking deep dives and everything in between. The state has talented writers from the piney wood of East Texas to the crystal beaches of South Padre Island. If you’re looking to stay true to Texas this winter, pick up a book by one of these great Texas authors and say cheers to the Lone Star State.

Six Texas authors worth reading (pun intended!) into

  • Emily Harding. If cheesy romance is your genre then Dallas-based Emily Harding is your girl. Her debut solo novel, How Freaking Romantic, is about two lawyers who meet while settling a divorce. Will there be a happily ever after? Well, read to find out! Emily Harding is also part of the duo who pens the For the Love of Austen series, modernizing one of the most celebrated female authors in literary history. 
  • Amanda Eyre Ward. A New York Times Bestselling Author, Amanda Eyre Ward, based in Austin, uses places she has traveled to inspire her books. The Lifeguards and Sleep Toward Heaven are both set in Austin, if you’re looking for a read that feels local. These books are twisty and funny and will leave you page-turning until the very end. 
  • Larry McMurtry. From Archer City and a graduate of the University of North Texas, Larry McMurtry, who died in 2021 at the age of 84, wrote largely about life in Texas. Perhaps best known for novels Terms of Endearment and Lonesome Dove, McMurtry had several books made into movies and also helped adapt screenplays. If you are wanting a taste of Texas life from someone who lived it, these novels are for you.  
  • Stephen Harrigan. Raised in Texas from the age of five, Stephen Harrigan is a novelist and writer who has won many awards and accolades. Many of his historically-based novels are moving and thought-provoking, such as The Gates of the Alamo. He currently lives in Austin. 
  • Attica Locke. Though she now lives in Los Angeles, Attica Locke is an award-winning author who was born and raised in Houston. She has penned six novels, all of which are rich, interesting reads, including an acclaimed series called the Highway 59 trilogy based around fictional black Texas Ranger Darren Matthews.
  • Katie Gutierrez. Her debut novel, More Than You’ll Ever Know, was a smash hit for this San Antonio-based author. A Good Morning American Book Club pick, More Than You’ll Ever Know is a fast, fun read for true crime fans. Gutierrez has also penned a number of essays and short fiction that can be found on her website. 

Texas lodging

Pining away for the Lone Star State? Or looking for a place to hole up to pen your own novel? Look no further than Parkview Riverside RV Resort in the Texas Hill Country. Located in Concan, Parkview Riverside is located near Garner State Park, giving you a peaceful retreat where you can enjoy Mother Nature and the great state of Texas. From canoeing to hiking, there are endless ways you can enjoy the natural beauty of this scenic central Texas spot. Happy trails!