Planning on joining Elevation Science out in the field this summer? Excited to dig up dinosaurs but you need something to get your dino fix now? March is National Reading Month, and Elevation Science staff has put together a list of our favorite reads!

Locked in Time by Dean Lomax & Robert Nichols

*For any dinosaur lover looking for a glimpse into the stories behind the bones*

This book is a treasure trove of fossils found all around the world, from horseshoe crabs at the bottom of the sea to a mother dinosaur protecting her eggs in a sandstorm. The tales of these fossils are brought from bone to flesh with writing and illustration, going into detail without too much “scientific jargon”. Locked in Time is a beautiful window into these creatures; once believed to be “sluggish and stupid”, now believed to be full of life and their own stories to tell.

The Last Days of the Dinosaurs by Riley Black

*For readers who want nonfiction answers with masterful storytelling*

What was it like when the asteroid struck the earth 66 million years ago, abruptly ending the reign of the dinosaurs? What happened after they were no longer here? This book touches on disaster, death, rebirth, and how life goes on. The Last Days of the Dinosaurs walks you through the millions of years after the loss of the Mesozoic giants. But life did not end there… For some, it was just beginning.

The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs by Steve Brusatte

*For those who want an easy-to-read, nonfiction option for learning a ton about dinosaurs*

If you want all the dirt on the dinosaurs from day one, look no further. This read walks you through the dawn of the dinosaurs in the Triassic all the way to their demise at the end of the Cretaceous. Brusatte also features discoveries around the globe in recent years, known as “the Golden Age of Paleontology”. This is an electrifying, driven story of the prehistoric giants we love so dearly.

Dragon Teeth by Michael Crichton

*For lovers of historical fiction who want to feel what it was like to be a fossil hunter during the Bone Wars*

From the same mind that gave us Jurassic Park comes a different story, full of both rich western history and imagination. This novel takes place during the late 1800s, smack in the middle of the esteemed Bone Wars. William Johnson, a Yale student, finds himself caught between O.C. Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope in their race to outdo the other for the next big dinosaur discovery.

Jurassic West by John Foster

*For readers who want to know more about the animals who lived in the areas we explore*

If you’ve been on an expedition with us before, this book will make you feel right at home. Jurassic West features the discoveries of dinosaurs such as Allosaurus, Stegosaurus, Diplodocus, and more. But it doesn’t stop there; our beloved Morrison Formation is also home to other vertebrates such as crocodiles, mammals, small reptiles and amphibians, and abundant plant life. The dinosaurs we find in Montana, as well as the world they lived in, can be found here.

Raptor Red by Robert T. Bakker

*For readers who've always wondered about the dinosaur's perspective*

This is a childhood favorite amongst many paleontologists and dinosaur enthusiasts. Have you ever wondered what it would be like inside the mind of a dinosaur? This novel captures the beauty, wonder, tragedy, and bravery of a female Utahraptor from 120 million years in the past. First published in 1996, this story was one of the first to allow us to visualize the vibrant, lively world of dinosaurs.

Out of Thin Air by Peter Ward

*For the readers that seek to unravel mysteries especially those hidden in stone*

Dinosaurs ruled the earth for millions upon millions of years; so long that humans have only been around for a second in comparison. Their rule was cut short, however, during the end-Cretaceous extinction. How did they survive for so long and continue to thrive? What factors attributed to their massive success?

Passion in the Bones by Elaine Howard

*For those who want the Eat, Pray, Love treatment…but with dinosaurs!*

This quick but sweet read by Elaine Howard takes the reader on a journey of self-transformation and a discovery of a love for dinosaurs. Howard, through her own dinosaur style, shows us her journey in finding her passion and inspires others to change their lives for the better. Dinosaurs can indeed change your life (we speak from experience!), but so can a positive shift in your mental outlook.

The Monster’s Bones by David K. Randall

*For readers who wonder how pop culture came to be obsessed with dinosaurs*

It’s hard to imagine, but at one point New York’s American Museum of Natural History was empty of the iconic dinosaurs it’s known for today. Not only was it missing dinosaurs, it was severely lacking in people interested in the survival of the museum. This is the story of two men and a T. rex who captured the imaginations of millions and solidly cemented dinosaurs in the foundations of pop culture as we know it today.

A Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir by Lady Trent by Marie Brennan

*For historical fantasy readers who love the feel of real natural history exploration and a strong, female lead*

While not paleontology, this one makes the list for the incredibly fun naturalist adventuring. Most of our participants won’t have any problem connecting with the determined Lady Isabella Trent whose childhood obsession for dragons, and dissatisfaction with the limited information the world has about them, spurs her forward on the adventure of a lifetime to unexplored regions to quench her thirst for scientific knowledge and discovery.

What is your favorite paleontology book and why? We want to hear from you!

Dig Into Reading with Elevation Science