The words seem to whisper from the page. Elegant and precise. Beautiful even when describing all-too-fathomable tragedy, not glossing over pain but rather presenting the hurts to readers as if balm has already been applied to the injuries. Shelley Read has written a book for academics and farmers alike; her protagonist’s quiet joys in nature and agriculture speak to the Western Slope sensibility that helped inspire “Go as a River.”
One need only to open the first few pages to feel the enchantment. “Go as a River” is more than just a captivating historical fiction story set in the mid-1900s in a cultural and physical landscape of change. The book is a love letter to Colorado, to its human history both positive and negative. The plot and characters touch on prejudice and societal stumbling blocks without being heavy-handed, and protagonist Victoria’s naivete serves well to present a minimally biased reflection on political issues of the time and setting.
“Go as a River” was a 13-year labor of love for Read, who started writing the earliest pieces of the book on a solo camping trip in the West Elk Mountains. The descriptions of place hold strong in the narrative, from the retrospective imaginings of the lost town of Iola to the frequent visuals of wilderness and peach orchards. While vivid enough to paint a scene for readers anywhere, the melodic words may inspire particular fondness among Western Slope readers who also know the real-life spaces.
It’s no wonder that Colorado Mountain College (CMC) selected “Go as a River” as its 2026 Common Reader book of the year. First published in February 2023, the novel rocketed to bestseller status. In the three and a half years since, it has sold over 1 million copies and been translated into 34 different languages. Set against the backdrop of the creation of the Blue Mesa Reservoir and the flooding of the town of Iola, this work of historical fiction explores themes of love, loss, resilience and finding home amid tumultuous change.
CMC’s Common Reader program stocks free copies of the book of the year at its campuses across the state. “Go as a River” was chosen for 2026 not just by bestseller status, but because a story set in Colorado and written by fifth-generation Coloradan Read aligns with the celebration of Colorado’s 150 years of statehood.
While copies have been available to students and community members at CMC front desks and libraries since June, many campuses still have copies available. Interested readers can contact the Carbondale and Spring Valley campus reception desks or Garfield County libraries. Ebooks and audiobooks of “Go as a River” are available through CMC Libraries on the Libby app.
The second phase of each year’s Common Reader program is a tour of author talks at CMC campuses. Read’s book tour launches next Monday in Vail; she will visit CMC locations in the central mountains before moving further west. Read will arrive on the Western Slope on Monday, Oct. 26,
to present at the CMC Rifle campus at 6pm. The next day, Read will speak and sign books at the CMC Aspen campus from noon to 2pm before heading to the Spring Valley campus for another 6pm presentation.
Before “Go as a River” was published, Read spent nearly three decades as a senior lecturer at Western Colorado University. She taught writing, literature and environmental studies for the school. In addition to writing, Read spends her free time camping, climbing mountains and traveling. “Go as a River” has been recognized with the High Plains Book Award for Fiction, the Reading the West Book Award for Debut Fiction and le Prix de l’Union Interalliée.