5 Must-Read Books for Fans of Yellowstone

“Montana Sky” by best-selling author Nora Roberts was one of the books that repeatedly came up as a top recommendation for “Yellowstone” fans, and we can definitely see why. Roberts blends family drama and breathtaking landscapes to craft a story of three sisters brought together under the most unusual circumstances. The novel gained such widespread recognition that it was adapted into a film that was released a decade after the book’s release in 2007. 

Three half-sisters — strangers until now — are brought together by the death of their father, Jack Mercy, and the vast fortune he’s left them. But there’s a catch: the three sisters must live together on the ranch for a year to inherit what’s rightfully theirs. Tess is here for one thing and one thing only. She’s ready to take her chunk of the fortune and head back to her hectic life as a Hollywood screenwriter. For Lily, who is on the run from her abusive ex-husband, this ranch is an escape from her harsh reality. Meanwhile, Willa, the only one raised on the ranch, sees these women as nothing but intruders. Tensions will rise between the three sisters, but there are also dangers to the ranch — unfinished business with enemies of their late father. Will these three sisters overcome their differences and the imminent dangers sprung upon them to fulfill their father’s last wish?

A Pulitzer-Prize-winning piece of historical fiction, “Lonesome Dove” by Larry McMurtry shares similar themes of a rough life on the American frontier and the moral development of characters with “Yellowstone.” Fans of the hit series are bound to love this novel for the profound, deep layers of its characters, and the loyalty the characters have for one another will surely remind you of the Dutton clan. The book maintains a 4.6-star rating with more than 200,000 reviewers on Goodreads.

Retired Texas Rangers, Gus McCrae and Woodrow F. Call, are taking up cattle driving for their next adventure together. The two rangers embark on a treacherous journey from Texas to Montana. On this journey, they encounter kindness from the most unthinkable people, as well as danger from outlaws. Their journey to Montana may be about moving forward, but it’s also a reflection of their past and the passage of time. As the two men travel across the harsh landscape of America and face some life-changing decisions, Gus and Call come to understand the meaning of loyalty and unbreakable bonds in the most unexpected ways. Join the two rangers on their adventure-filled journey across the country and discover the meaning of friendship, loyalty, and acceptance of a fading of an era.

“The Son” is Philipp Meyer’s second novel. His debut novel, “American Rust,” won multiple awards, such as the 2009 Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and was selected as Washington Post’s Top Ten Book of the Year. “The Son” was released in 2014 and was such a hit that the book was adapted into an AMC TV series starring Pierce Brosnan. Meyer’s “The Son” is a story set in the Republic of Texas, and everything is monumental and brutal, as a family saga should be. 

At just twelve years old, Eli McCullough bears witness to the brutal murder of his mother and sister by the Comanche tribe and is taken captive. It takes quite some time and violence, but he assimilates into life as a member of the tribe, learning the language, culture, and warrior ways of his captors. Now the adopted son of a chief, Eli fights alongside the Comanches against other tribes and even white men, like himself, blurring Eli’s identity even further. Then, disease and other hardships ravage the Comanches, and Eli is stranded between two worlds, ultimately belonging to neither.

The narrative spans over a century and delves into the complicated legacy of Eli McCullough. The story follows Eli and shows the aftermath and impact of Eli’s life on his son and his great-granddaughter. Philipp examines themes of isolation from forging one’s path, the price of ambition, and the aftermath of violence.

Written over a period of about four years, “Outlawed” by Anna North unpacks themes of freedom, femininity, and rebellion in an alternate universe. This novel has Western grit and feminist ideals, creating a thought-provoking narrative that challenges major societal norms. What happens in a world in which something personal to a woman’s identity becomes a crime?

“In the year of our Lord 1894, I became an outlaw.” That’s how this story, set in an alternate 1890s America, begins. In this America, infertility is a serious crime, a crime for which you can be hung. When Ada, a seventeen-year-old midwife, fails to conceive, leaving her marriage strained, she has no choice but to flee the only home she has ever known. She ends up in a rebellious gang of outlaws led by a mischievous gender nonconforming individual known as The Kid. However, life outside the law is far harsher than she pictured. But, The Kid has a plan — one that will give women like Ada true freedom. To make it happen, they need major funding, so they plan a grand heist that could risk all of their lives. Now, it’s Ada’s time to decide whether she will go all in and risk everything for her last chance at freedom. 

A nominee for Good Readers Choice Awards’ Readers’ Favorite Debut Novel in 2020, “How Much of These Hills is Gold” just might be the most refreshing work of historical fiction you pick up this year. In this debut novel set against the rough backdrop of the American West, Zhang weaves Chinese tradition and culture into a powerful story about two young siblings finding the means to survive during the gold rush. The book not only received widespread recognition, but it was even one of Barack Obama’s favorite books of the year.

In a land that is not so welcoming to them, Lucy and Sam, two young children, are left to fend for themselves after their father passes away. Now orphaned and with no place to call home, the siblings set out on a journey through the rough American landscape to give their father the proper Chinese burial he deserves and to also find a new place to call home. Along the way, they grapple with loss and the grief that comes after, their identity as American immigrants, their complex relationship with their Chinese heritage, and the meaning of the pursuit of gold.

When selecting books for this list, our primary focus was finding stories that echo the key themes of “Yellowstone.” We aimed to share books that capture similar elements that made the hit series so addictive. Stories set in rugged American landscapes that explored themes of familial loyalty, the development of morally complex characters, and the quest for power and survival. We set out to find novels that would keep readers on the edge of their seats while turning page after page, which meant we also needed stories that provided the riveting drama that fans loved so much about “Yellowstone.” 

While sharing books that will remind readers of the series was crucial, we also wanted to offer picks that have diverse perspectives. As always, we want readers to be able to broaden their horizons after reading a book, so it’s crucial we provide readers with fresh takes and angles. That’s why books like “Outlawed” and “How Much of These Hills is Gold” made our list. These books will take you by surprise and reveal a completely unexpected, exciting realm of stories set in the wild American West. From alternate realities to Chinese symbolism, you’ll want to experience these stories.