A Wyoming Rancher’s Literary Roundup: Where the Range Meets the Page
The digital age, with all its bells and whistles, hasn’t dimmed the allure of a good ol’ fashioned book. I recently sat down with a Wyoming rancher to talk about his love of literature, his wonderfully chaotic approach to book organization, and the hidden gems he thinks we should all add to our reading lists.
“Organized? That’s a Good One” – A Look Inside a Bookworm’s Ranch
“Organized?” He chuckles, his voice as warm and weathered as an old leather saddle. “Lets just say my reading habits are as sprawling as my Wyoming ranch.” And with that, he paints a picture of literary chaos that any book lover would envy.
Forget meticulously arranged shelves and color-coded spines. This is a library where books roam free. Stacks teeter precariously on bedside tables, towers of paperbacks rise from the porch swing, and even his trusty truck boasts a well-worn companion – a copy of “The Dancing Wu Li Masters.”
“I believe in having a book within arms reach at all times, no matter where I wander,” he explains, and you can practically hear the smile in his voice. It’s an approach to book ownership that’s refreshingly unpretentious, a testament to the idea that reading, at its heart, is about pure, unadulterated joy.
A Wyoming Blizzard and the Magic of Discovery – The Ideal Reading Experience
Close your eyes and imagine this: a Wyoming blizzard is raging outside, the wind howling like a chorus of coyotes. But inside, all is cozy and warm. A fire crackles merrily in the hearth of an 1896 cabin, nestled deep in the heart of the Bighorn Mountains.
Our rancher is curled up with his wife, Judy, a thick, hand-knitted blanket enveloping them in warmth. And in his hands? A book, of course. But not just any book. “It has to be by an author I’ve never encountered bfore,” he says, his voice filled with quiet enthusiasm. “That sense of discovery, of being transported to another world while the real one rages outside, that’s pure magic.”
It’s an image that speaks to the very soul of why we read – to escape, to explore, to lose ourselves in the pages of a story and emerge, hours later, feeling refreshed, invigorated, and perhaps even a little bit changed.
Unearthing Literary Treasures – A Rancher’s Hidden Gem
Every bookworm, it seems, has a secret stash of literary treasures – those often-overlooked books they can’t help but recommend to anyone who will listen. And our Wyoming rancher is no exception.
His hidden gem? “Doctor Dogbody’s Leg” by James Norman Hall. “You might know him as one half of the duo behind ‘Mutiny on the Bounty,'” he explains, “This book, though, it’s a different beast altogether.”
He goes on to describe a peg-legged Royal Navy surgeon who frequents a Portsmouth tavern, each night captivating patrons with a new, increasingly far-fetched tale of how he lost his leg. “It’s witty, surprising, and a testament to Hall’s storytelling prowess,” he says, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
“Doctor Dogbody’s Leg,” you jot down mentally, adding it to your ever-growing “to-read” list. A hidden gem recommended by a Wyoming rancher amidst a backdrop of literary chaos – how could you possibly resist?
From Paris Encounters to Wyoming Nights – A Peek at the Rancher’s Nightstand
The conversation turns, as it often does with fellow book lovers, to the literary adventures awaiting on the horizon. Our rancher, it turns out, is in no short supply of reading material.
“Well, I’m lucky enough to have snagged an early copy of Willy Vlautin’s “The Horse,”” he says, a hint of pride in his voice. “I’ve been a fan ever since bumping into him at a literary festival in Paris.” He pauses, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “I remember thinking, ‘Now there’s a fellow who looks even more uncomfortably American than I do.”
Next up on the literary menu is Elizabeth Crook’s “The Madstone,” a historical novel that’s generating quite a buzz. And because some books, like old friends, deserve a return visit, he’s also rereading “Woman of Light” by Kali Fajardo-Anstine. “That book,” he says, his voice softening, “is simply transcendent.”
As if that weren’t enough to satisfy even the most voracious reader, he adds, almost as an afterthought, “Oh, and I almost forgot, I recently circled back to Amor Towles’ “Rules of Civility” after finishing his latest, “Table for Two.” Towles is such a charming, witty, and elegant writer that you just want to…well, let’s just say he’s a joy to read.”
Where the Range Meets the Page – A Shared Love of Stories
As the afternoon sun begins its descent, casting long shadows across the Wyoming landscape, our conversation draws to a close. But not before our rancher leaves us with one final thought.
“You know,” he says, gazing out at the sprawling vista before him, “out here on the ranch, life can be pretty unpredictable. But books, they offer a sense of constancy, of connection. Whether it’s a dusty paperback tucked into my saddlebag or a dog-eared hardcover shared with my wife, stories have a way of grounding you, of reminding you that you’re never truly alone.”
And in that moment, surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Wyoming range, it’s clear that this rancher’s love affair with books is more than just a hobby. It’s a testament to the enduring power of stories to transport, to inspire, and to connect us all, no matter how far apart we may seem.
