By Ellen Miller-Goins
To understand Taos and Northern New Mexico, it helps to read it. At SOMOS, Taos’ literary hub, Executive Director Jan Smith and Bookshop Curator Danielle Freeman have assembled a reading list that offers a layered portrait of the region.
“Some are novels, some nonfiction, and some stories are accompanied buy photos,” Smith and Freeman said. “They each document life in Northern New Mexico in an earlier time — some more contemporary than others.”
Their selections explore “the cultural values and traditions of Northern New Mexico from different angles: fiction, historical, environmental, Pueblo life, Hispanic traditions, mystery, biography, agricultural and livestock issues.”
1. The Milagro Beanfield War
John Nichols
The first novel in Nichols’ New Mexico Trilogy tells the story of a small community’s fight to protect its water rights. When a local farmer diverts irrigaton to his beanfield, it sparks a broader resistance against development and outside control. Blending humor, activism and deep affection for rural life, the novel captures the enduring tension between tradition and change.
2. The Man Who Killed the Deer
Frank Waters
This classic novel follows a young Pueblo man whose actions set off consequences that are both legal and spiritual. Waters explores the conflict between Indigenous traditions and imposed Western systems, examining identity, responsibility and cultural balance. The story offers a thoughtful and enduring perspective on Pueblo life and values.
3. The Great Taos Bank Robbery
Tony Hillerman
In this collection of essays, Hillerman combines journalism, humor and keen observation to explore Northern New Mexico. From Crime stories to cultural insights, he captures the region’s distinctive personalities and contradictions. The results is an engaging portrait of place that is both entertaining and revealing.
4. Winter in Taos
Mabel Dodge Luhan
Luhan’s memoir reflects on Taos during the early 20th century, when artists and writers were drawn to the area. She documents a period of cultural exchange, creativity and misunderstanding, offering a firsthand account of a pivotal moment in Taos history. The book remains both a historic record and a complex personal narrative.
5. Coyota in the Kitchen: A Memoir of New and Old Mexico
Anita Rodríguez
Blending memoir, recipes and artwork, Rodríguez tells the story of family, culture and identity through food. Her writing reflects the rhythms of Northern New Mexico life, where traditions are preserved in kitchens shared across generations. The book celebrates memory, resilience and the everyday practices that sustain culture.
