Books like Cheap Land Colorado — picked by fans

I love that this book does such a great job of capturing the many incongruities and quirks of life in South Africa, a country with such a complex, troubled history that it is still struggling to reconcile.

It’s a country of immense diversity (racially, politically, and culturally), which leads to some absurd situations. Some funny, some tragic. And it’s set against an incredibly unique and beautiful natural backdrop, and it’s at the bottom of the world, literally representing the global south/periphery. So there’s a ton of dramatic tension inherent.

I also relate with Noah’s story just in terms of the cross-cultural element; growing up with parents from different places and never quite fitting in. And yet he tackles these very serious, very bleak situations and experiences, at both the micro and macro levels, with humor.

I appreciate this book for how authentically Dave Grohl opens up about his life. His reflections on creativity, passion, and overcoming challenges with Nirvana and Foo Fighters feel surprisingly relatable, especially in the context of my own personal journey. Recent events in Grohl's life remind us that we all make human errors in judgment, and it's important not to judge or dehumanize those in the public eye. Celebrities, just like the rest of us, are on their own journeys, facing struggles and moments of self-discovery.

Grohl’s stories highlight the importance of staying true to yourself and learning from both success and failure—showing that even failure has its benefits. Reading his book reminds me of the power of sharing our experiences and the value of resilience. Despite their fame, it reinforces that even those who seem larger than life are navigating their own paths and that growth and transformation are within… show more.

This book was like a light bulb switched on suddenly in my brain. Free-floating feelings of uncertainty and anxiety about the decisions I was making and the inexplicable state of our world were literally keeping me up at night. Questions I’d been asking of myself, and of no one in particular, amounted to general complaints: ‘Why is this happening?’ ‘Where is all the anger coming from?’ ‘When will things get better?’

What I learned was the importance of going deeper and asking questions that might actually lead to answers. Or at least to gain an understanding of someone else’s perspective. And definitely to have a clearer insight into my own beliefs and motivations. I learned that asking more resulted in replacing my perpetual sense of uncertainty with something more useful and actionable.

I love this book because of its intrinsic sense of optimism despite the series of troubling, challenging times our nation has endured throughout history. From the Civil War into America’s modern-day civil rights movements and beyond, I was introduced to the committed leaders—and the people—who stood up and defended our ideals and the promise of “liberty and justice for all.” 

I found it inspiring to be reminded not only of our history but also of how our country has moved forward from its darkest hours into the light. It gave me a feeling of pride and a better understanding of why I have an obligation to be mindful of my own responsibilities to this nation and to its historic ideals.

I love all of the books in Mizushima’s Timber Creek K-9 Mystery series and though you can start anywhere, this book was my introduction to Mattie Cobb and her dog, Robo.

The partnership between these two characters is wonderful as is the scene-setting, ancillary characters, and—of course—the actual mystery!

Mattie’s the sort of person I would enjoy spending time with in real life—along with Robo.

Imagine you are a caterer who lives and breathes cooking. Now imagine yourself going undercover at a spa that doesn’t serve coffee or any of the other gourmet vittles you’re used to while you’re trying to unmask the killer of a local doctor. Protagonist Goldy Schulz is a savvy caterer, a tough cookie who escaped an abusive spouse and reinvented her life. I like that Goldy has that kind of depth which is sometimes lacking in a cozy mystery. She’s gritty and determined. As a west coast girl, I enjoy the fact that this series is set in Colorado and Goldy’s marriage to her second husband, a hunky cop, adds flavor. It’s fun to see how the acerbic Goldy handles a “Bridezilla” while trying not to offend her client. The book is fun and satisfying, like Goldy’s recipes! 

This book was a perfect combination of on-the-edge-of-my-seat sexy and tug-at-my-heartstrings romantic.

The author created phenomenal dialogue between Fisher and Reese, so good, in fact, that their flirting was almost as hot as their eventual hookups. I really did adore this story for the plot twists that seemed to come out of nowhere.

Reese’s growth into a confident young woman who stopped thinking about how things were just happening to her and took control to make the things she wanted to happen was remarkable; their second-chance love story with all the sexy feels was exactly the heart-mind turn-on I had hoped it would be.

The best part? The effortless way Fisher and Reese not only fell in love with each other but loved their tribe, too. It made me feel just really good to be a part of this story.  

Hardcore, Division I distance running at one of the greatest distance-running schools: the University of Colorado, led by the passionate and hyper-competitive phenom Adam Goucher. With passion and suspense, Lear captures the lives of these young men and offers a glimpse of what drives a gifted runner like Adam Goucher and a great coach like Mark Wetmore.

This is the series that got me hooked on culinary mysteries and Diane Mott Davidson is the GOAT. If you’re looking for a cozy winter escape filled with food and a side of delectable murder, this is the book for you. Could you pick up any of the books in this long-running series, sure, but don’t do it—resist temptation. Start at the beginning when we meet Colorado caterer Goldy Bear as she whips up delicious sweet and savory eats while solving a murder. Trust me, you’ll thank me later because once you finish this book you’ll be running to the nearest bookstore for the next installment and running to your kitchen for a midnight snack.

This is another fun cozy. When Kelly returns to her hometown after her aunt’s murder, she quickly becomes embroiled in the unfolding mystery. Much of the narrative centers around her aunt’s knitting shop, which serves as a gathering place for a group of women who share their love for knitting. I found these characters fun and lively and their gossip during knitting breaks to be particularly enjoyable.

They also provided Kelly with crucial clues which helped in unraveling the case. It was fascinating to see how Kelly ultimately solved the crime by leveraging personal relationships and the strength of her community. Although I don’t knit myself, this book nearly inspired me to pick up some knitting needles, so consider yourself warned!