When it comes to niche genres or maybe genres that seem passe, I don’t think we talk about those often or enough around here. Why I’m not sure, but ‘tis quite true I’d say. As a result, this means we’re looking at some of the western fiction books on my shelf most of which are titles from my early reading days.
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Another truism of the titles on this list is that, honestly, most probably aren’t the types of westerns one usually thinks about. I know many love Louis L’Amour books or maybe even the genre of a western means “gritty” and kind of intense. I’m more of a “cleaned” up western moviegoer, especially considering I watched years of John Wayne films or things like Tom Selleck western films. Nonetheless, most of these either have an element of “western” or if I haven’t read them and they remain on my shelf, they look like they’d contain some.
Let’s get this book list party started.
WESTERN FICTION BOOKS ON MY SHELF
MY CALAMITY JANE, BRODI ASHTON, CYNTHIA HAND, JODI MEADOWS
I mean I haven’t read ANY of these Janie novels, but even in a re-imagining of the Calamity Jane story, there has to be SOME sort of western-y feel, right? Goodreads
LONESTAR SANCTUARY, COLLEEN COBLE
Sometimes you must add a ringer or two with a contemporary western-esque title! This is a series connected through setting (I think) but set in the modern times. It’s been so long since I read any of them, but my memory has a soft spot for them. Goodreads
FAITH, LORI COPELAND
I cannot even remember how many years it’s been since I read these Brides of the West novels. It was so many years ago that Tyndale still had their “Heartquest” banner. This is a series of six novels, maybe, about women who travel as mail order brides. Like the next on my list, it was one I did quite enjoy if I remember right. Goodreads
COWGIRLS, COWBOYS AND HEARTBREAK: TEN WESTERN BOOK TITLES ON MY SHELF #WESTERNFICTION #CHRISTIANFICTION #READING #READERS #READMOREBOOKS #FICTION #TOPTENTUESDAY #BOOKLIST #HISTORICALFICTION Click To Tweet
THE PEACEMAKER, LORI COPELAND
A kind of “spin-off” of her Brides of the West books, these books follow a group of noble heroes who, while working as Marshals, encounter dangers but also step up to protect those who need it. Goodreads
A COWBOY’S TOUCH, DENISE HUNTER
I haven’t read this one, but did read something later on this series. However, with a title using the word ‘cowboy,’ even modern, I did feel compelled to include this. Goodreads
WHEN CALLS THE HEART, JANETTE OKE
This isn’t the normal American howdy kind of western – at all. But some of the situations the characters encounter reminds me of the harshness of the western American frontier. Also, if you only know this story from the Hallmark show, the books are very different, and in them, Elizabeth gets a happy ending that sticks. Goodreads
GIRL WAITS WITH GUN, AMY STEWART
Pretty sure I’ve heard this novel is quite good! Honestly don’t remember the why of picking it up, but if I had to guess, it’s the fun cover art. This one COULD be the least western-y book. But I’m rolling with it anyway. Goodreads western fiction books
CASSIDY, LORI WICK
Despite owning this one (I’m not sure if I still do, but I think it’s in one of my unhaul boxes stacked high behind me), I never read it. I think by the time it published, I was kind of onto other authors. It’s set in 1880 and takes place in Montana! Goodreads
WHERE THE WILD ROSE BLOOMS, LORI WICK
Lori Wick novels were likely some of my very first “adult” books I read. Someday, honestly, I’d like to try and re-read a couple purely for the sake of nostalgia. Goodreads
ALONG CAME JONES, LINDA WINDSOR
I think I read this one back when it was a newer release but since it’s on my overflow-old-day-reader-shelf, I cannot remember. Either way, it sounds cute and I think I’d read it still today. Goodreads
Your turn; what type of western fiction do you like? Something modern with a cowboy of a hero? Traditional? Spaghetti western? What types of books would you feature on a list like this? Comment all your comments below! Let’s get our bookworm conversations going!
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Linking up with That Artsy Reader Girl Top Ten Tuesday July 19: Freebie (Come Up with your Own Topic)
Girl Waits With Gun is based on a real female police officer/sheriff deputy. It is set in New Jersey, however, so it doesn’t feel like a Western. My TTT Freebie list
All good to know! Thanks, Anne.
Great list and interesting prompt. I’m usually not a big fan of cowboys and westerns, but a few of the books on your list are tempting me.
Have a great week 🌴
I’m not (currently) either Rae. But once upon a time I did read a TON of wester or prairie fiction so it was fun to look back and see what I used to read. :)
I hope you enjoy all of these books. I must admit to not being familiar with the western genre, but it’s cool you have so many options in it!
I’ve read some of these, but not all. I went through a whole prairie and/or western fiction phase so it was fun to look at my bookshelf with some of these. :)
I’ve read most of these…way back in the day. I still love Along Came Jones. It’s such a fun story with that ghost town setting. But I haven’t gotten around to the Jane novels yet either, despite having them all queued up on my TBR pile.
These were back in the day reads for me as well, Brittaney! Maybe more “prairie” fiction than how most coin the western genre, but it’s always fun to look back on some of the books I read. :)
I’ve only read a little western fiction, but it’s interesting for sure!
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.
For sure! :)
How fun! I don’t read Westerns often. I did recently read a romance about a bull rider recently, though. It was fun. Nice list!
Oo, that sounds fun! I think I read one of the Nicholas Sparks novels about a bull rider which I did like. Should have included that one too. :)
Ooh, I need to get My Calamity Jane. Great list and great choice of topic! Thanks for sharing!
Those Jane books just seem like they’d be a really good time! :)
This post has me all nostalgic! I remember listening to that Colleen Coble series in audio format from my library, AND reading the Lori Wick Where the Wild Rose Blooms book + series around the same time. I do still love a good western, in TV, movie, or occasionally book form. Lately I’ve highly enjoyed Karen Witemeyer’s Hanger’s Horsemen series.
My TTT this week features books from my TBR I want to read soon.
Right!? All the nostalgia for sure. These are on a shelf I don’t look at often so it was fun to look through books I don’t “remember” I have on a daily basis. I almost added some of Karen’s books to this list because I’m sure I read some. But couldn’t remember and I may have sold them or donated them, so I didn’t bother to see which ones, if any, I still have. Either way, so much nostalgia! Looking forward to seeing your post – and THANKS for visiting, Courtney! Always glad to chat.
Great list! I want to read LONESTAR SANCTUARY by COLLEEN COBLE and A COWBOY’S TOUCH by DENISE HUNTER someday. :)
We love a good nostalgic and throwback read!! :) Thanks so much for visiting, Melanie. Appreciate that.
Great topic idea for today! I have Lonestar Sanctuary by Colleen Coble and have not read it yet, either. Have a great week!
I read so many of Colleen’s years ago. If I remember correctly, I really liked these, but I always wonder if I’d go back in and re-read what I’d think. :)
I love the Janie novels – and I hope you do too.
Thanks, Lauren! Me too. They seem like they’d be fun reads. :)
Great list! There are many there I haven’t read. I do love historical fiction with cowboys. I’d recommend the Hanger’s Horsemen series by Karen Witemeyer.
Stop by and see my first ever Top Ten Tuesday!
Someone else mentioned Karen’s books too. :) I think I’ve read a couple of hers, but it’s been SO long I cannot remember much. Thanks so much for taking time to visit, Lisa – and welcome to the Top Ten Tuesday meme. :)