Fasten your seatbelts as PBS Books and the Library of Congress visit Texas on our next stop in American Stories: A Reading Road Trip. Join us on July 23rd at 8pm ET/ 7pm CT for the episode premiere on the PBS Books YouTube channel, or watch on the PBS Books Facebook page, the PBS app, or pbs.org. Visit pbsbooks.org/readingroadtrip to learn more.
From the Panhandle to the Gulf, Texas is known for its larger-than-life identity, and its stories are no exception. Long before it became an official state, folktales, legends, and corridos shaped its cultural narrative. Writers like Américo Paredes (With His Pistol in His Hand) and J. Frank Dobie (Coronado’s Children) preserved these traditions in print, carrying them into the modern era. The frontier and cowboy mythos later inspired iconic works such as Larry McMurtry’s Lonesome Dove and Cormac McCarthy’s No Country for Old Men, stories that both celebrate and challenge the Texas legend. Beyond the frontier, writers like Katherine Anne Porter (Pale Horse, Pale Rider) expanded the literary landscape with perspectives long absent from the Texas narrative, and Sandra Cisneros’ The House on Mango Street brought the perspective of a young Latina girl into the American literary canon.
The story of Texas continues to evolve through the writers shaping its literary landscape today. From wide-open ranges to dense pine forests, there is no single Texas voice. Instead, authors across the state carry forward its storytelling traditions while highlighting the many communities, histories, and cultures that define it. Dr. Carmen Tafolla (Warrior Girl) has spent her career bringing Mexican American voices to the forefront through more than 40 works spanning genres and audiences, often bringing her stories to life through performance. Stephen Harrigan explores the people and events that shaped Texas through his acclaimed journalism for Texas Monthly and novels such as The Gates of the Alamo. Meanwhile, Sarah Bird’s Juneteenth Rodeo, a passion project years in the making, celebrates an often-overlooked chapter of Texas history and culture.
Texas’s literary story extends far beyond the page. In a state this large and varied, libraries, bookstores, museums, and historic landmarks offer countless opportunities to connect with its past and present. Discover treasures like the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library in Dallas, home to the only copy of the Declaration of Independence west of the Mississippi River, and the Austin Central Library, recognized by TIME as one of the “25 Buildings That Represent America.” Along the way, explore collections and cultural institutions that preserve the stories of Texas and the nation. And these remarkable stops are only the beginning of what the Lone Star State has to offer.
Booklist for Reading Road Trip: Texas
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About American Stories: A Reading Road Trip
Pack your curiosity —PBS Books is hitting the road! In partnership with the Library of Congress Centers for the Book, American Stories: A Reading Road Trip shines a spotlight on individual U.S. states and select territories to uncover their one-of-a-kind literary treasures.
From iconic authors and unforgettable books to hidden-gem bookstores, amazing libraries, and the real-life locations that inspired great works, this cross-country adventure celebrates the stories that have shaped our shared identity. Along the way, we’ll meet bestselling authors, passionate booksellers, and local storytellers —plus share highlights from local programs and events hosted by each state’s Center for the Book —revealing how their corner of America has left its mark on the nation’s imagination. Aligned with America’s 250th birthday, each episode invites viewers to explore the heart, history, and creative spirit of the United States —all through the lens of books and storytelling.
New episodes will stream on select Thursdays at 8pm EST on the PBS Books Facebook page, on the PBS Books YouTube channel, pbsbooks.org, and the PBS app.
About the Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States –and extensive materials from around the world –both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov; access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov; and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.
About PBS Books
PBS Books is a multi-platform initiative celebrating the love of reading. PBS Books is dedicated to connecting books with audiences by engaging them in unique experiences to spark their curiosity and encourage a life-long love of reading and learning. Through social and digital engagement and live coverage of important literary events across the country, PBS Books celebrates books and writers and works to foster a passion for reading among public media viewers and listeners.Visit pbsbooks.org, subscribe to the PBS Books YouTube channel, and follow PBS Books on social media to learn more.
