Wyoming Center for the Book is a Library of Congress affiliated program of Wyoming Humanities. The Center’s mission is to promote literacy, libraries, reading, writing, books, poetry, and celebrate Wyoming’s literary heritage.
PBS Books Reading Road Trip - Episode Four: Wyoming
1 Sign up to join the challenge
2 Download the list of all 12 challenges
3 Complete the Reflection and Submission forms
4 Review the FAQ for any questions you may have
Join the Pronghorn Reads Challenge
Each month, we “challenge” readers to read a book that fits into a new theme. Free and open to all ages, participants can share their thoughts in a reflection form and also be eligible for prizes throughout the year. Everyone who completes all 12 months of reading will even be put into a grand prize drawing, including the chance to serve on Wyoming Humanities’ National Book Festival advisory committee!
It’s simple to join – and every participant will receive a small piece of Wyoming Humanities for taking part in the reading celebration. Stay in touch with the Pronghorn Reads community by following us on our Facebook page!
The Challenges
January: A book about winter or a cold theme Let’s ring in the new year with a book that takes us to a cold and snowy place. What does winter mean to you? January is all about winter, nuclear, weather, or just plain chilly.
February: A book where the first sentence is eight words or less We discourage judging a book by the cover, but why not the first 8 words? In February we are asking you to look for a book that has 8 words or less in the first sentence. No matter how the sentence ends—good luck.
March: A book that features sports or a game For March we are looking for a book that takes you to a game, not just any game, the sports game. Any sport or contest of wills will do. Afterall, who says, chess can’t count? Or maybe a classic baseball story? Find your homerun in March.
April: A book about spring or a similar theme The birds start migrating, the flowers start blooming, and the rain begins to shower. In April, we challenge you to read a book that takes you to the beginning of things. A book that tackles the themes of spring are all good here, no matter what that means to you.
May: A book about High Society High society sparks amazing stories, in May we are looking for books that take us to a realm of the aristocrat, the fancy wines, the Dijon mustards, the 1%, where will it take you?
June: A book that takes place in or around your favorite city, town, or place
July: A book about summer or a sunny theme Summer brings to mind, hot weather, slow days under an umbrella, and, just maybe, some thunderstorms. In July, we are asking you to read a book that rings true for summer. Either that be the weather, joy, sadness, what is summer to you? Find a book that brings it to life.
August: A book where the protagonist is a senior citizen or teen The protagonist is any character where the story revolves around them, the interpretation of what that looks like is broad and can take the appearance of so many different people, and ways of thinking. In August find a book that focuses on senior citizens or a teen.
September: A book following an epic adventure
October: A book about Fall or a related theme
November: A book that is begging to be read on your shelf, in a pile or on your list
December: A book about time travel or where time is twisted
Reader Spotlights
Mary – Sheridan, WY
Book Title & Author
The Iowa Baseball Confederacy
by W.P. Kinsella
In 1908 the Chicago Cubs traveled to a small Iowa town to play the Iowa Baseball Confederacy All-Stars. The game lasted 40 days and over 2000 innings, most of them played in the pouring rain which swept away the small town. Or did it? A father and son are the only ones who know all the details, but they can’t prove it. Time travel, a long-dead Indian searching for his wife, and lots of baseball ensue.
In 1908 the Chicago Cubs traveled to a small Iowa town to play the Iowa Baseball Confederacy All-Stars. The game lasted 40 days and over 2000 innings, most of them played in the pouring rain which swept away the small town. Or did it? A father and son are the only ones who know all the details, but they can’t prove it. Time travel, a long-dead Indian searching for his wife, and lots of baseball ensue.
Karin – Gillette, WY
Book Title & Author
The White Darkness
by David Gran
I love books in which people push themselves to the limit, whether it’s conquering one of the tallest peaks on Earth, breaking a swimming distance record, or in this case, traversing across a continent as unrelenting as Antarctica. Henry Worsley was obsessed with Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton and vowed to succeed where Shackleton failed. This book is a fascinating and riveting account of Worsley’s attempt and shows just how punishing the climate and geography of our least known continent is.
I love books in which people push themselves to the limit, whether it’s conquering one of the tallest peaks on Earth, breaking a swimming distance record, or in this case, traversing across a continent as unrelenting as Antarctica. Henry Worsley was obsessed with Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton and vowed to succeed where Shackleton failed. This book is a fascinating and riveting account of Worsley’s attempt and shows just how punishing the climate and geography of our least known continent is.
Kristen – Cheyenne, WY
Book Title & Author
Exiles
by Mason Coile
"The beeping won't stop." This is how our main character wakes from a long intergalactic sleep in time to land on Mars, ready to begin setting up a colony for human settlement. But she and her colleagues fine the robots that landed first have gone rogue. Not my usual genre, but I really enjoyed this sci-fi, mystery, thriller, really fun, fast-paced read!
"The beeping won't stop." This is how our main character wakes from a long intergalactic sleep in time to land on Mars, ready to begin setting up a colony for human settlement. But she and her colleagues fine the robots that landed first have gone rogue. Not my usual genre, but I really enjoyed this sci-fi, mystery, thriller, really fun, fast-paced read!
Kathleen – Laramie, WY
Book Title & Author
Paint the Wind
by Pam Muñoz Ryan
A retired elementary school librarian recommended this when I was looking for some easy reading. The author's research included a guided seven-day ride near the Red Desert and that experience lent credibility to the story. Nice additions to the book were some wilderness survival tips and instructions for making a drawstring bag.
A retired elementary school librarian recommended this when I was looking for some easy reading. The author's research included a guided seven-day ride near the Red Desert and that experience lent credibility to the story. Nice additions to the book were some wilderness survival tips and instructions for making a drawstring bag.
Tami – Cheyenne, WY
Book Title & Author
The Morning River
by W. Michael Gear
I have never read Mr. Gear's writing previously and was happy I found him through the Wyoming author challenge with Pronghorn Reads. I think that this book is good by itself but I am interested to continue following the saga with the other three books in this series. The writing is very good and I enjoyed the story of people traveling west and the story of the Native Americans through the process.
I have never read Mr. Gear's writing previously and was happy I found him through the Wyoming author challenge with Pronghorn Reads. I think that this book is good by itself but I am interested to continue following the saga with the other three books in this series. The writing is very good and I enjoyed the story of people traveling west and the story of the Native Americans through the process.
Kaye – Crowheart, WY
Book Title & Author
Esther Hobart Morris
by Kathryn Swim Cummings
In 1869 Wyoming Territory became the first government in the world to grant women the right to vote. As justice of peace in the mining boomtown of South Pass City in 1870, Esther Morris became the first to hold office in the United States. This Unembellished Story of the Nation's First Female Judge, led to some to call her the mother of woman suffrage in Wyoming.
In 1869 Wyoming Territory became the first government in the world to grant women the right to vote. As justice of peace in the mining boomtown of South Pass City in 1870, Esther Morris became the first to hold office in the United States. This Unembellished Story of the Nation's First Female Judge, led to some to call her the mother of woman suffrage in Wyoming.
Mary – Sheridan, WY
Book Title & Author
Let's Pretend This Never Happened
by Jenny Lawson
I think this is the most I've ever laughed out loud in a book. Lawson says it's a mostly true memoir. If even half of it is true, she has led a most hilarious life. I picked it because I read another book of hers (Furiously Happy) that also made me laugh out loud. Highly recommended.
I think this is the most I've ever laughed out loud in a book. Lawson says it's a mostly true memoir. If even half of it is true, she has led a most hilarious life. I picked it because I read another book of hers (Furiously Happy) that also made me laugh out loud. Highly recommended.
Barbara – Farson, WY
Book Title & Author
Before We Were Yours
by Lisa Wingate
I loved this book. Based on real events and told in the perspective of two generations alternating their stories, this was a heart wrenching, moving story.
I loved this book. Based on real events and told in the perspective of two generations alternating their stories, this was a heart wrenching, moving story.
Wyoming Literary Map
The Wyoming Literary Map is a crowdsourced digital repository of literary contacts, organizations and resources created to foster a vibrant statewide community of writers. This is an opportunity for Wyoming authors, bookstores, and literary organizations to connect and get the word out about their work to local, statewide, and national audiences.
The Wyoming Literary Map exists with great gratitude to the following partners:
Jackson Hole Writers
Bookmarked Literary Arts Festival
Wyoming Writers
Jackson Hole Book Festival
Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund
And be sure to check out the blog featuring the Wyoming Literary Map on WyoHistory.org
Great Reads from Great Places
Great Read from Great Places is a nationwide program that features two books to represent each state at the National Book Festival in Washington, DC. Wyoming selects one adult book and one young adult/children’s book that speaks to the state of Wyoming. Visitors to the National Book Festival have the opportunity to see the books, ask questions, and interact with representatives from Wyoming.
UPCOMING EVENT: Great Reads Author Hour with Nina McConigley October 15th @ 6:30pm!
Join us online October 15th at 6:30pm!
2026 National Book Festival
Wyoming Center for the Book will feature our youth and adult selections at the 2026 National Book Festival on August 22nd in Washington, DC. to learn more about the National Book Festival, visit the Library of Congress’ website.
Stay tuned for upcoming programs and the ultimate, nationwide reading list!
Recent Selections from Wyoming
How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder
by Nina McConigley
The Trouble with Sunshine
by Yamile Saied Méndez
A Sometimes Paradise: Reflections on Life in Wyoming Ranch Family
by Mark E. Miller
A Home for Steamboat
by Casey Rislov, illustrated by Zachary Pullen
Ridgeline
by Michael Punke
The Wolves of Yellowstone: A Rewilding Story
by Catherine Barr
In a Land of Awe
by Chad Hanson
The Day the Earth Rose Up
by Alfreda Beartrack Algeo
My Ranch, Too: A Wyoming Memoir
by Mary Budd Flitner
The Marvelous Invention of Orion McBride
by Tyler RogerMore Opportunities
The Wyoming Center for the Book is always working to create and share more literacy and reading events and projects for you! As they become available, details can be found here.
HIRING:
Wyoming Center for the Book Director
Remote, part-time contract position that reports to Wyoming Humanities staff.
Proposals must be submitted by 11:59pm on October 15, 2026.
Contract Term begins November 15, 2026.
Submit questions and completed proposals to chloe@thinkwy.org and olivia@thinkwy.org
View the full Request for Proposals with additional information.
