Gilgandra corrals a fresh mob of Westerns!

Our library is part of a co-operative called North Western Library, which includes Warren, Coonamble and Bogan Shire libraries. One of the best features of being part of this co-op is that we are able to share resources. For example, the books which are bought by the co-op are split between the four libraries, kept at each library for 6 months, then sent on to another library. This means that we are regularly receiving fresh books, on top of those we have recently purchased.

Gilgandra Library recently changed over most of our Western fiction. We received about 300 fresh westerns, including a large number of large print westerns. All of the favourite authors are represented: Max Brand, Louis L’Amour, Lauren Paine, Larry McMurtry, Corba Sunman, John Dyson and Zane Grey. We have noticed that these books are growing in popularity in Gilgandra. If you’ve never read a Western, one place to start might be “Lonesome Dove” by Larry McMurtry. This book won the Pulitzer Prize in 1986. The story focuses on the relationship of several retired Texas Rangers and their adventures driving a cattle herd from Texas to Montana. McMurtry originally developed the story for a feature film entitled The Streets of Laredo, but plans fell through. McMurtry later resurrected the screenplay as a full-length novel, which became a bestseller. It was then made into a four-part TV miniseries, which won many awards.

As Nancy Pearl says, the magnificence of the landscape, the vast distances and the wide scope of historical events that occurred in the American West lend a great setting to Western fiction. If you like reading books where setting is a major drawcard, such as fantasy or historical novels, you may find that Western fiction works for you, too. Happy reading!