Taos Traveler: The Top 10 Books You Simply Must Pretend to Read While in Taos, NM
by Sagebrush Silverstein, Literary Correspondent & Seltzer Enthusiast
Welcome to Taos, New Mexico—a place where the skies are wider than your aunt's conspiracy theories, and the art scene is so rich you'd swear the color palette came straight from a peyote vision. But what’s a visit to this high-desert vortex of culture, coyotes, and kombucha without a carefully curated stack of books to display conspicuously at the local café?
Here are the top 10 books to read—or at least carry around like a literary badge of spiritual depth—while in Taos.
1. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance – Robert M. Pirsig
Required reading for anyone who's ever considered putting a Buddha sticker on a Harley. You won’t actually finish it, but it looks very contemplative next to your latte at Elevation Coffee.
2. The Teachings of Don Juan – Carlos Castaneda
Half anthropology, half fever dream, all desert mysticism. Locals will either scoff or offer you sage bundles and unsolicited dream interpretations. Pro tip: read the intro, nod sagely, then wing it.
3. Into the Wild – Jon Krakauer
Because nothing says “I’m vibing with the mountain spirits” like glorifying a guy who walked into the Alaskan bush without a map. Bonus points if you're camping illegally near the Gorge Bridge.
4. House of Rain – Craig Childs
Archaeology meets poetic wanderlust. Read two chapters, then proclaim at a dinner party that you’re “just really connected to the ancestral Puebloan energy right now.”
5. Desert Solitaire – Edward Abbey
Taos’s unofficial gospel. Carry it around with a disheveled hat and a bitter opinion about tourists (yes, even though you are one). Perfect for those who whisper “anarchy” into their almond croissants.
6. Women Who Run With the Wolves – Clarissa Pinkola Estés
You may not read it, but you will Instagram it next to a crystal and some feathers. Be prepared to talk about “divine feminine energy” with a stranger named Moonwater.
7. The Art of Pilgrimage – Phil Cousineau
For those who want to believe that coming to Taos is less about a weekend getaway and more about a sacred soul quest (despite staying at a charming BnB with a hot tub and curated towel sculptures).
8. The Four Agreements – Don Miguel Ruiz
The Taos starter pack. Say you’re on the “second agreement” and people will nod like you’ve just revealed your astrological chart and a piece of your soul.
9. Georgia O’Keeffe: A Life – Roxana Robinson
Because of course you want to know more about the woman who painted New Mexico like it was her personal dreamscape. Mention it aloud at the Harwood and you’ll be offered an honorary residency.
10. The Tao of Physics – Fritjof Capra
If you truly want to impress the barista in Arroyo Seco, bust this one out. Then quietly admit you only made it through the first three pages. That’s OK—neither did they.
Honorable Mention:
Any notebook you're pretending to journal in
Filled with half-sentences, wine stains, and pressed sage leaves. But damn if it doesn’t look authentic next to your ethically sourced poncho and kombucha growler.
So there you have it. Taos isn’t just a destination—it’s a state of mind. One that thrives on the illusion of literary enlightenment and the romantic fantasy of self-discovery. Bring the books. Whether you read them is entirely beside the point.
Namaste and pass the green chile.
