Saddle up and join PBS Books and the Library of Congress as we visit Nevada for our next stop in American Stories: A Reading Road Trip. Join us on March 18th at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT for a PBS Books Facebook Live event, or on the PBS Books YouTube channel, the PBS app, or pbs.org. Visit pbsbooks.org/readingroadtrip to learn more.
Nevada — the Silver State — is known for its long history of mining and the bright lights of Las Vegas. But there is far more to this vast state than the neon glow of the Strip. It is where Samuel Clemens worked as a frontier reporter and adopted the pen name Mark Twain, wrote Roughing It, and went on to become one of America’s most notorious authors. Where Sarah Winnemucca survived the forced displacement of her people, rose to become a fierce activist for Indigenous rights, and penned her powerful memoir Life Among the Piutes. As settlers pushed westward chasing silver and gold, stories traveled with them, from tall tales of frontier life to John C. Frémont’s expedition accounts of the Great Basin. And no conversation about Nevada literature would be complete without Walter Van Tilburg Clark’s morally gripping The Ox-Bow Incident and Robert Laxalt’s portrait of immigrant identity in Sweet Promised Land.
Nevada’s literary scene is very much alive today. Current Nevada Poet Laureate Shaun Griffin (Anthem for a Burnished Land) has built a legacy both on and off the page, teaching creative writing in prisons and championing social justice in rural northern Nevada communities. Former Poet Laureate Gailmarie Pahmeier also contribute to the state’s creative landscape with Of Bone, of Ash, of Ordinary Saints, a love song to Nevada and all the strangers that pass through. Robert Laxalt’s grandson Gabriel Urza (The Silver State) carries on the family’s storytelling tradition, reflecting Nevada in his own acclaimed works. And nonfiction writer Michael Branch (On the Trail of the Jackalope) uses humor and sharp observation to shed light on real environmental concerns facing the American West.
From the towering aspens of the Sierra Nevada to the open plains of the Great Basin, Nevada offers some wonderful literary destinations worth exploring. In Reno, the Downtown Library impresses visitors with its living plant installations and almost otherworldly atmosphere, while Rebel Cat Books doubles as a cat adoption center. In Las Vegas, the Nevada Writers Hall of Fame celebrates the state’s rich literary legacy. And each year, the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko brings together voices that keep the spirit of the American West alive.
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 Wednesdays at 8pm EST as PBS Books Facebook Live event, and 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.
