Pack your curiosity — PBS Books is hitting the road! In partnership with the Library of Congress Centers for the Book, American Stories: A Reading Road Trip shines a spotlight on individual U.S. states and territories to uncover their one-of-a-kind literary treasures. From iconic authors and unforgettable books to hidden-gem bookstores, amazing libraries, and the real-life locations that inspired great works, this cross-country adventure celebrates the stories that have shaped our shared identity. Along the way, we’ll meet bestselling authors, passionate booksellers, and local storytellers — plus share highlights from local programs and events hosted by each state’s Center for the Book — revealing how their corner of America has left its mark on the nation’s imagination. Aligned with America’s 250th birthday, each episode invites viewers to explore the heart, history, and creative spirit of the United States — all through the lens of books and storytelling.
Nevada — the Silver State — is known for its long history of mining and the bright lights of Las Vegas. But there is far more to this vast state than the neon glow of the Strip. It is where Samuel Clemens worked as a frontier reporter and adopted the pen name Mark Twain, wrote "Roughing It," and went on to become one of America's most notorious authors. Where Sarah Winnemucca survived the forced displacement of her people, rose to become a fierce activist for Indigenous rights, and penned her powerful memoir, "Life Among the Paiutes." As settlers pushed westward chasing silver and gold, stories traveled with them, from tall tales of frontier life to John C. Frémont's expedition accounts of the Great Basin. And no conversation about Nevada literature would be complete without Walter Van Tilburg Clark's morally gripping "The Ox-Bow Incident" and Robert Laxalt's portrait of immigrant identity in "Sweet Promised Land."
Nevada's literary scene is very much alive today. Current Nevada Poet Laureate Shaun Griffin ("Anthem for a Burnished Land") has built a legacy both on and off the page, teaching creative writing in prisons and working to expand those programs across the state. Former Poet Laureate Gailmarie Pahmeier also contributes to the state's creative landscape with "Of Bone, of Ash, of Ordinary Saints," a love song to Nevada and all the strangers that pass through. Robert Laxalt's grandson Gabriel Urza ("The Silver State") carries on the family's storytelling tradition, reflecting Nevada in his own acclaimed works. And nonfiction writer Michael Branch ("On the Trail of the Jackalope") uses humor and sharp observation to shed light on real environmental concerns facing the American West.
From the towering aspens of the Sierra Nevada to the open plains of the Great Basin, Nevada offers some wonderful literary destinations worth exploring. In Reno, the Downtown Reno Library impresses visitors with its living plant installations and almost otherworldly atmosphere, while Radical Cat Books doubles as a cat adoption center, and the Nevada Writers Hall of Fame celebrates the state's rich literary legacy. And each year, the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko brings together voices that keep the spirit of the American West alive.
American Stories: A Reading Road Trip: Nevada
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
5–6 p.m.
FREE
Watch on Facebook, YouTube, and the PBS App or in the video player below.
Saddle up and join PBS Books and the Library of Congress as we visit Nevada for our next stop in American Stories: A Reading Road Trip.
