If the stereotype holds that Texans are big storytellers, then it stands to reason that we have a lot of places (and shelves) to hold all those stories. This state is home to dozens of independent bookstores and illustrious writers who take inspiration from around them to craft characters and stories that are somehow even bigger than Texas. From silent book clubs to festivals that promote camaraderie among the bookish, there’s a lot for booklovers to behold in our November issue. In “Western Star,” we write about how the late author Elmer Kelton’s Westerns changed the genre forever. We also hear from writer and bookseller George Getschow in “A Form of Ranching,” in which Getschow details how he carries on a book collection and community established by Larry McMurtry in Archer City. In “Word Play,” writer Gina Dachman introduces us to four Texas authors who are changing the contemporary literary landscape, from May Cobb, author of the famed novel-turned-series “The Hunting Wives,” to Lawrence Wright, who’s written 19 books and still manages to find time to play the keys in a local blues band. All that reading and bookstore perusing is bound to make you hungry. “Tolkein Gesture” takes readers to the beloved Hobbit Cafe in Houston, where diners merge their appetites with their love for J.R.R. Tolkein’s characters in a Shire-like environment. In Texas, the literary landscape is as rich as it is vast. We even have mobile bookstores that will bring your next read directly to you. To learn more, kick start your next reading journey with our November issue.