Paonia Books

08/13/2026

08/13/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our visiting author event with Heather Hansman! Her book “Fierce Country: The Untold Story of Three Women Who Ignited America’s Love for the Wild” is out now. We loved reading it and hearing Heather talk more about these incredible women. A special thank you also to Christie Aschwanden who joined Heather in discussion and asked wonderful questions! Heather Hansman Christie Aschwanden

The Paonia Literary Project continues to bring our community these free events and thanks those who have come out to enjoy them and support us!

08/08/2026

Join us Monday, September 14th at 6:00pm for our next book club led by Emily and hosted by Paonia Literary Project. We’ll be talking about “Appraisals”, by Claire Boyles. Following this book club, we’re excited to welcome Claire to Paonia on October 15th, where she’ll be doing a reading and talking about her book.

“Appraisals” follows a multigenerational farming family in rural Colorado as they navigate the fallout of the Great Recession, environmental threats, a billionaire outsider buying farmland, and water rights during a drought. As tensions deepen within the family, three generations of women find strength in their shared bond and their determination to protect the place they call home. A tender and urgent story of ecological loss, resilience, and the difficult choices we make to survive.

We have 18 spots available for September book club. Email us at [email protected] to register. You can purchase and order the book through the store, bring a library book or read on your device. We’re just glad to see you!

Claire Boyles

08/07/2026

🍿It’s here! The new edition of Peter Heller’s novel, The Dog Stars! Come get your copy to read in time for our October 23rd screening of the Ridley Scott-directed film —that includes a talk back with Peter! 🎥

08/03/2026

It’s wax pastels, it’s paper, it’s pencils—and more! 🎨

It’s Try-Before-You-Buy Art Supply night! For a (cash only) materials fee of $10, you can come try out these super fun and colorful art supplies:

*Caran D’Ache Neocolor I (wax pastel)
*Caran D’Ache Neocolor II Aquarelle (water soluble wax pastel
*Caran D’Ache gouache pan paints
*Pencils, water soluble and non.
*hot press AND cold press watercolor paper

Come see how you can use a variety of art supplies for all kinds of different effects. You’ll get to play around with our supplies and if you place an order that night for the materials we are working with, you’ll get a 10% discount.

12 spots open; register by emailing: [email protected]

07/31/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our visiting author event with Janet Jones and Timothy Winegard! Pulling from their unique knowledge and history with horses, they treated everyone to a wonderful conversation the other night. A special thank you to DeWitt Daggett who moderated the event and also to Janet who taught a lecture on “Brain to Brain: Cross-Species Communication” the following day. Janet Jones - Horse Brains

If you’re enjoying these free events the Paonia Literary Project is bringing to our community, let us know in the comments below!

07/20/2026

Join author Susan Tweit on August 22nd for a 4 hour creative writing workshop at the Paonia River Park, hosted by the Paonia Literary Project.

“A writing workshop on how close observation can transform our work. When is a tree more than a tree? When you begin to notice the specific shape of leaf and branch, feel the furrowed bark, and inhale the tree’s aromatic language. We’ll explore how careful attention, curiosity, and sensory detail can bring new depth and resonance to your work, whatever your genre or subject. We’ll experience, write, and share our work if so moved. Exercises include writing field notes, from observation to haiku, observing without seeing, and smelling our way home.” - Susan Tweit

The cost of this workshop is $80/person.

To register, email [email protected] or stop by in person to Paonia Books.

Saturday, August 22
9am - 1pm (there will be a break, so we recommend you bring snacks and water)
Paonia River Park

Susan Tweit

07/16/2026

Join us for an inspiring evening with bestselling author and journalist Heather Hansman as she discusses her new book, “Fierce Country: The Untold Story of Three Women Who Ignited America’s Love for the Wild.”

Discover the remarkable stories of Georgie White, Anne LaBastille, and Dolores LaChapelle—three trailblazing women whose work helped shape America’s outdoor recreation and conservation movements.

Heather will be joined in conversation by award-winning author and journalist Christie Aschwanden for what promises to be a fascinating discussion!

Tuesday, August 11
6:30pm
KVNF Community Room

Heather Hansman Christie Aschwanden

07/06/2026

Calling all horse lovers and riders in Delta county! 🐎

We excited to be hosting a special two part event with Janet Jones, author of “A Horse’s World: A Neuroscientist’s Journey Into the Equine Mind.”

Join us Wednesday, July 29th, at 6:00pm, for a reading and conversation between Jones and Timothy Winegard, author of “The Horse: A Galloping History of Humanity.” Event will be moderated by DeWitt Daggett. A meet-and-greet and book signing with the authors will be at Paonia Books afterwards.

The following day, Thursday, July 30th, from 12:30-2:00pm, Jones will be teaching a workshop titled “Brain to Brain: Cross-Species Communication,” where she’ll dive into the mutual form of cross-species communication that happens between humans and horses.

Both events are free to the public and will be held at the KVNF Community Room.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Janet Jones - Horse Brains

07/03/2026

Happy 250th, Paonia! We’re proud to be your bookstore and today, we’re excited to announce that we received a grant for a special America 250 project we’ve been dreaming up. With local filmmaker Teya Cranson, Paonia Literary Project is working on a short documentary that captures our community during this semiquincentennial year. What makes Paonia home? What makes Paonia American? More than anything, we love stories and we want to be part of telling our shared one. Stay tuned!
Anateya Cranson