The Wild West or the American frontier plays a huge part in America’s history. The Wild West has been a subject in literature, film, and television genre for so long, and people cannot get enough of this. Many adore the western genre because of how interesting that period is, from the wild cowboy stories to outlaws exploring the frontier. If you’re a fan of western books, this list is for you! Check out this list and see which ones you’ll be adding to your to-be-read pile. 

Girl with a Gun by Kari Bovee

Kari Bovee’s Girl with a Gun follows fifteen-year-old Annie Oakley. Annie is the sole provider of her widowed mother and two siblings. She is not an ordinary girl, instead, she is an expert markswoman and independent spirit. She joins hunting games at the local mercantile to make ends meet instead of accepting a marriage proposal to solve all her problems. She was offered a position in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show after her stunning performance in a shooting contest against famous sharpshooter Frank Butler. This gave her a chance to save her family farm and make her dreams come true. Suddenly, her Indian assistant was proclaimed dead due to natural causes, but Annie was hesitant. And when another innocent is murdered, Annie began fearing the deaths of people related to her. Annie sets out to solve the murders and clear her name. 

Power in the Blood by Greg Matthews

Power in the Blood is about siblings separated on an orphan train and later reunited to seek revenge in the lawless West. The Dugan siblings—Clay, Zoe, and Drew— were adopted by different families at separate stops. They vowed to find each other but tragic circumstances conspire against them. Clay turned into the most feared bounty hunter in the West when he avenges the brutal murder of his foster parents. Zoe gives birth to a daughter after being abused by her new father. And Drew was abandoned and fell into the wrong crowd. And when fate finally reunites years later, Zoe enlists Clay and Drew in a plot against the ruthless Colorado gold magnate bent on stealing her fortune. 

Angels and Mysteries by Irv Lampman

Angels and Mysteries by Irv Lampman tells stories of angels, mysteries, and incredible happening in the Wild Wild West. The story all was told by a lady born at the end of the Civil War who grew up in the time of famous and infamous western figures such as Billy the Kid, Wyatt Earp, and Doc Holiday. The Wild West truly lives up to its name as sometimes things happen that defy man’s ability to explain or understand. Angels were highly adored during that era since, at times of hardships, someone or something intervenes. Such as Jose Garcia’s case, when the man was about to make a grievous mistake and some they would say an angel intervened. Angels and Mysteries share stories of how the Lord will send some of his emissaries to help. 

The Ploughmen by Kim Zupan

Kim Zupan’s The Ploughmen follows the uneasy and complicated bond of a young sheriff and a hardened killer at the plains of Montana. One is a killer awaiting a trial, and another is a troubled young deputy. Both sit across from each other in the dark, talking through the bars of a county jail cell. John Gload, at the age of 77, is facing a prospect of long-term incarceration. Meanwhile, Valentine Millimake draws the overnight shift after Gload’s arrest. This troubled deputy also faces a problem with his disintegrating marriage. Millimaki finds himself seeking advice from a man whose troubled past. The two form an uneasy friendship in the rugged country that keeps them. 

Devil Out of Texas by Roger Raffee

Devil Out of Texas was set in the summer of 1973, where a fourteen-year-old kid spends time with his grandfather and his friends at the Hillcrest Country Club. He later listens to the action-packed tale from his grandfather. The story was about his great grandfather, the first Jewish Texas Ranger, and how his grandfather became one of the movie industry pioneers. This young kid learned plenty about his grandfather from being associated with the great Mexican revolutionary leader Pancho Villa and becoming friends with silver screen actors like Lionel Barrymore. This young boy began to learn of the American frontier, outlaws, Wyatt Earp, and so much more than he expected.