Reading the States: Road Trip

Friday, January 4, 2013


Over the past year I’ve posted about books and authors from every single state in America. You can see the complete list here.

I loved learning a bit more about each state and the authors and books that capture its unique characteristics. But I must admit I’m glad I finally reached the end! I hope people are able to use the lists as references in the future when they’re hoping to explore a new state. It’s always fun to read books set in a state you’re about to visit.

For this final post I wanted to give you all a few great road trip books. These are all books that are set in multiple states or involve a trip across the United States. Read a few and I promise you you’ll have a hard time resisting the urge to hit the road.

Also, here's another great blog to check out for more suggestions: LitMap Project.

- Travels with Charley* by John Steinbeck 
- April 1865* by Jay Winik
- A Journey through Literary America by Thomas Hummel
- The Lost Continent* by Bill Bryson
- Blue Highways* by William Least Heat-Moon
- On the Road* by Jack Kerouac
- The Island of Lost Maps by Miles Harvey
- A Walk across America by Peter Jenkins
- Way Off the Road by Bill Geist
- I'm a Stranger Here Myself by Bill Bryson
- Undaunted Courage* by Stephen E. Ambrose 
- Roughing It* by Mark Twain 
- State by State: A Panoramic Portrait of America by Matt Weiland
- The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet* by Reif Larsen
- Liner Notes* by Emily Franklin
- Amy & Roger's Epic Detour* by Morgan Matson

7 comments:

annieb said...

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and appreciate all the work it must have been to put it together. State by State isn't exactly a road trip book, but it is very interesting with varied essays about each state by different authors. I love road trip books!

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

annieb - That's a great one to add! I can't believe I forgot it.

Nikki Steele said...

I loved your series -- thanks for all the hard work you put into it!

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson may be another kind of road trip, save that the road is a trail through many states :D

I haven't read it yet, but have also heard many good things about Travels with Charley by Steinbeck.

Captain Nick Sparrow said...

Thank you for taking the time to compile all of those lists. I love reading books that take place in the states I visit.

I have one more to add to your Road Trip list: Liner Notes by Emily Franklin. It would probably be the most fun to read if you were born in the 70s.

Elisabeth said...

Thank you for listing all those books by state was a great idea and I am sure a lot of work. It is very much appreciated!

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

Do you know that it wasn't until the very end that I realized you posted them all in alpha order? D'oh! ;)

Love Travels with Charley--especially interesting reading it now and looking back at his experiences in the 60s. The movie trailer for On the Road looks really intriguing...I'd never had much interest in reading the book. Would you recommend?

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

Nikki - A Walk in the Woods is such a great one. I think I included that in one of the posts for one of the main states they go through (maybe West Virginia?)

Captain - I will definitely add that one! Thanks!

Trish - Ha, that's hilarious. It was the only way I could do it to make sure I didn't miss one of two. I read On the Road in college and it was the perfect time for it. His idealistic, but selfish writing fits with that state of mind. I honestly don't know that I would like it if I read it for the first time now. His writing is beautiful though.