Hello!
Mid 30s guy here
I’ll be road tripping from Austin to near SF, and then back again, hitting numerous national parks along the way and camping for the nights. I have read Grapes of Wrath and recognize it would be an excellent book for this trip, but alas I read it on my last road trip to Montana (which I recognize was the ideal time to read lonesome dove, but I digress)
My 2026 reads include:
The art thief
No country for old men
Of mice and man
East of Eden
Lonesome dove
I am legend
My 2025 reads include:
Chaos
The sixth extinction
The grapes of wrath
The running man
Fear and loathing in Las Vegas
Hells angels
American psycho
World war Z
Mysterious case of Rudolph diesel
The little prince
The road
Doesn’t necessarily have to be an epic traveling book, but I think that would thematically be nice. Or books that take place in this area. SMAB!
by walledbison
7 Comments
Since you like Steinbeck, definitely add Travels With Charley, which is about a road trip Steinbeck took all around the US. Charley is his dog.
West with Giraffes is a story based on an actual historical road trip that brought the first giraffes to the San Diego Zoo.
The Road to tender Hearts is also a road trip but its more about found family.
*Blue Highways* could be fun, especially if you’re avoiding the interstate.
The Son – Phillipp Meyer
Neither of these are perfect matches but I think fit the vibe…
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles
You have a few of my favorites in your past reads, so I’m going to recommend The Stand by Stephen King (unabridged version)
You’re going to be spending time in Utah so Edward Abbey’s Desert Solitaire is required reading. 😎