Read Lonesome Dove With Me This Summer

I’m trying something new this summer on Dying Breed: a guided group read of my all-time favorite novel: Larry McMurtry’s Lonesome Dove.

If you’ve followed AoM for a while, you know how much I love this book. It’s the American Odyssey: sprawling, hilarious, and heartbreaking. When you finish it, you feel like the characters are your friends.

If you’ve always wanted to read Lonesome Dove but needed a little push to do it — this is it. If you’ve read it before, this is a great excuse to read it again (it’s not only okay, but beneficial to re-read books!) — this time with fresh insights and a community of fellow readers.

Here’s what this summer book club will include:

• A simple 8-week reading schedule (just 20-30 minutes a day)

• Weekly posts from me and Jeremy Anderberg with reflections and discussion prompts

• Occasional Lonesome Dove-themed prizes for participants who make the best comments

• A Q&A with Larry McMurtry scholar Steven Frye

How to Join In

The book club is only open to paying subscribers of Dying Breed. If you’re already a paying subscriber, you automatically have access.

If you want to participate, you can access the book club posts by clicking “Book Club” in the menu on the DB site.

You can also opt in to a separate newsletter just for book club content. This consists of a single email each week that has reading assignments and discussion prompts.

Here’s how to opt into the book club newsletter:

• Click the button below or visit your account settings.

• Under the “Notifications” section, opt in to receive “Book Club” updates. You’ll now receive a book club email once a week.

If you DO NOT want to receive book club emails, you don’t have to do anything. You will continue to receive just our two regular weekly DB emails. You can always check out the book club conversation by clicking on Book Club in the menu on the DB site.

Again, if you’re a paying subscriber, book club access comes with your subscription.

If you’re not a paying subscriber yet, now’s a great time to become one! For $5/month or $50/year, you’ll get access to this summer book club and all the regular Dying Breed perks — full access to articles, Sunday Firesides, comment threads, and our growing archive.

The Reading Schedule Drops Saturday, May 30th.

Grab your copy of Lonesome Dove, opt in to book club emails, and saddle up.

I’ll see you on the trail!

P.S. Quick tip from Jeremy Anderberg. If you get the most recent edition of Lonesome Dove and this is your first time reading it, DO NOT READ THE FOREWORD!!! There are spoilers in there.