5 Must-Read Books By Denver Authors

Time to take a break this summer. Find your nearest park, locate the tallest tree and curl up in the shade with your favorite book. Looking for some new literature to make those summer hours go by just a bit faster? Well, these books are all written by Colorado authors, and what is better than supporting local talent? Get lost in a mystery, learn about the past through a biography or pick up a fun children's book for the younger literature fans in your life. No matter what you do, make time to get lost in a book this summer.

Buried by the Roan
By Mark Stevens
Price: $14.95
At The Tattered Cover Book Store

This fiction novel was a finalist for the 2012 Colorado Book Awards. Mark Stevens brings murder and mystery to the beautiful Colorado Flat Tops Wilderness through this intriguing story of a hunter found dead on the shore of Oyster Lake. The mystery builds as hunters and guides begin to get very ill from drinking water from the Flat Tops. It is a tale that is central to the way of life in the rugged Colorado mountains. Critics are raving and Stevens has been seen all over town at many different signings and events. Be sure to visit his website to find a meet-the-author event and get your copy signed.

Life Lessons From Andy Wink
By Steve Paulding
Price: $14.95
At The Tattered Cover Book Store

Looking for something your middle-school-aged child might like? Well, Life Lessons From Andy Wink is written by Colorado-local Steve Paulding, and it is sure to put a smile on your child's face. This fast-paced style of writing is filled with humor and content that makes it easy to relate. Follow Andy Wink as each chapter goes through a different life lesson. From trying out for the school play to dealing with a friend that is particularly stinky to even handling the passing of a grandparent, Paulding's book is great for your budding literary fan.

Related: Top Fiction Authors From the Denver Area

The Man Who Never Died
By William Adler
Price: $30
At The Tattered Cover Book Store

The Man Who Never Died is the biography of Joe Hill, an American labor icon that was convicted of murder in Utah in 1914. To this day, many believe Hill was innocent and that he was wrongly accused due to his association with labor unions. Adler spent five years investigating the story of Joe Hill and presents this full biography, coming as close as possible to proving Hill's innocence. Hill was a songwriter for the union as well, and even Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan sang of Hill in the ballad "I Dreamed I Saw Joe Hill Last Night."

Postcards from a Dead Girl
By Kirk Farber
Price: $13.99
At The Tattered Cover Bookstore

Postcards from a Dead Girl is a story about Sid Higgins, a man that has been receiving postcards from his old girlfriend. It is causing him to become unhinged and just a little bit crazy. This story unfolds how Sid works to get over his lost love and how he learns to find love again. It's funny, odd and more than a bit dark, making this debut novel from Kirk Farber a great summertime read. Postcards from a Dead Girl was also a 2011 Colorado Book Award Winner and a top selection from Indie Next.

Related: Top Independent Bookstores in Colorado

The Heroine's Bookshelf; Life Lessons from Jane Austen to Laura Ingalls Wilder
By Erin Blakemore
Price: $13.99
At The Tattered Cover Bookstore

The Heroine's Bookshelf is a must for any fans of classic literature. Erin Blakemore explores just how the women of literary history can encourage modern women, show them how to tap into their strengths and live life with intelligence and grace. Blakemore draws on Zora Neale Hurston, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Charlotte Bronte, Harper Lee and Alice Walker to prove her points. This read is witty and informative, celebrating female authors and the strength of women from the past. The Heroine's Bookshelf was also a 2011 Colorado Book Award Winner.

Related: Top Libraries in Denver

Deborah Flomberg is a theater professional, freelance writer and Denver native. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.