Kent Haruf Reading Order

3 books (2001–2002)

Kent Haruf edited two complete anthology collections published in 2001 and 2002 that should be read in publication order. Writers on Writing was released first, followed by Glimmer Train Stories #42, Listening For God Vol. 4. These essay and story collections showcase various writers reflecting on their craft and spiritual perspectives.

Start with Writers on Writing and read in order.

#	Title
1	Writers on Writing 2001Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Glimmer Train Stories, #42 2002Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Listening For God, Vol. 4 2002Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

4 books (1994–2002)

The Contemporary Literature and the Life of Faith series comprises four volumes of curated essays and literary selections exploring the intersection of faith and contemporary writing, published between 1994 and 2002. Each volume features contributions from renowned authors and literary critics, including writers such as Flannery O'Connor, Raymond Carver, Alice Walker, Anne Tyler, John Updike, Wendell Berry, Louise Erdrich, James Baldwin, and others, alongside editorial commentary by Paula J. Carlson and Peter S. Hawkins. The series is complete and should be read in publication order, beginning with Volume 1. These anthologies are designed for readers interested in how modern literature engages with spiritual and existential themes.

Start with Listening for God Reader, Vol. 1(By: Flannery O'Connor,Raymond Carver,Alice Walker,Garrison Keillor,Annie Dillard,Richard Rodríguez,Patricia Hampl,Peter Hawkins,Frederick Buechner,Paula J. Carlson,Peter S. Hawkins), the first of 4 books in the Contemporary Literature and the Life of Faith series.

#	Title
1	Listening for God Reader, Vol. 1(By: Flannery O'Connor,Raymond Carver,Alice Walker,Garrison Keillor,Annie Dillard,Richard Rodríguez,Patricia Hampl,Peter Hawkins,Frederick Buechner,Paula J. Carlson,Peter S. Hawkins) 1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Listening for God, Vol. 2(By: Anne Tyler,John Updike,Tobias Wolff,Gail Godwin,Henry Louis Gates Jr.,Kathleen Norris,Paula J. Carlson,Peter S. Hawkins,Carol Bly,Andrew Dubus) 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Listening for God, Vol. 3(By: Tillie Olsen,Wendell Berry,John Cheever,Louise Erdrich,Mary Gordon,Tess Gallagher,Reynolds Price,Oscar Hijuelos,Paula J. Carlson,Peter S. Hawkins) 2000Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Listening For God, Vol. 4(With: Robert Olen Butler,Allegra Goodman,James Baldwin,SueMiller,Doris Betts,Paula J. Carlson,Peter S. Hawkins,MichaelMalone,Alice Elliot Dark) 2002Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

3 books (1999–2013)

Kent Haruf's Plainsong trilogy consists of three complete novels published between 1999 and 2013 that should be read in publication order. The series follows interconnected characters and stories in a small Colorado town, with each book building on the relationships and histories established in previous volumes. Reading Plainsong first, followed by Eventide and Benediction, provides the intended narrative progression through this rural American saga.

Start with Plainsong and read in order.

#	Title
1	Plainsong 1999Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Eventide 2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Benediction 2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

3 books (1984–2015)

Kent Haruf wrote three standalone novels between 1984 and 2015, concluding with Our Souls at Night. Though each book stands alone, readers should follow publication order beginning with The Tie That Binds, followed by Where You Once Belonged, and finally Our Souls at Night to experience these works as intended. This complete series showcases Haruf's distinctive voice across three separate stories.

Start with The Tie That Binds and read in order.

#	Title
1	The Tie That Binds 1984Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Where You Once Belonged 1990Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Our Souls at Night 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible