Guest blog by Mary Helen Sheriff
When I was a child, I spent considerable time with my grandma Hootie on her balcony which overlooked Shore Drive in Virginia Beach. We’d count the RVs that passed by and daydream about renting one when I turned sixteen and taking a road trip together across the country. For many reasons this road trip never happened—in large part because neither of us was capable of safely driving an RV across the country.
By the time I sat down to write Boop and Eve’s Road Trip, Hootie had passed away, and I missed her easy company. Writing the novel was a way for me to imagine the road trip that never was–though Boop and Eve cover the American South rather than cross country and do it in a car rather than an RV. I created the character of Boop as a way of spending time with my “grandma” in my imagination since I couldn’t in real life. Of course, as is the way with writing, Boop took on a life and character of her own, so while she’s inspired by my grandma, she’s her own person.
Independence, adventure, resilience–inherent qualities of road trips–also speak to the American spirit. I can’t help but think of road trips as celebrations of the pioneering spirit of our forefathers. In that vein, I’d love to highlight a few road trip novels to whet your appetite while you sit at home and wait for the world to return to normal when you can chart your own road trips once again.
It’s 1968 in Keeping Lucy by T. Greenwood when Ginny Richardson kidnaps her Down Syndrome daughter Lucy from her school for the “feeble-minded.” With the help of her best friend, the three flee from Ginny’s husband, his powerful family, and the government, who had legal custody of Lucy. Their road trip south takes them from Massachusetts to Florida on a brave journey that will test the bonds of love, friendship, and family.
In The Book of Polly by Kathy Hepinstall, Willow Havens takes a road trip with her cantankerous mother Polly from their home in Texas to Louisiana where Polly grew up. The town is so off-the-beaten path that they take the last leg by boat. Willow is hoping to learn some answers about her mom’s secret past. This bittersweet book beautifully captures the complexities of mother-daughter love. Polly will make you laugh out loud, while Willow tugs on your heartstrings.
Catherine Ryan Hyde’s Take Me With You is the story of a road trip to Yellowstone with recovering alcoholic August Shroeder, two brothers whose father is in jail, and August’s son’s ashes. It’s the story of strangers coming together to form unexpected bonds as they each face their demons. Hyde writes an uplifting tale of good, but imperfect people doing what they can to survive in difficult situations.
Finally, you might want to check out Kerry Lonsdale’s new novel Side Trip in which strangers, Joy Evers and Dylan Westfield, fall in love on a cross-country trip along Route 66. What follows is a story of romance, loss, regret, and healing. This is a novel you won’t be able to put down and won’t soon forget.
Next time you’re feeling homebound and stir-crazy, pick up one of these books and embrace the joy of the road, even if it’s only in your imagination. I’d love to invite the book-loving, road-tripping among you to the Facebook group @bookish.road.trip where we share book recommendations and travel experiences.
Mary Helen Sheriff is the author of the women’s fiction novel Boop and Eve’s Road Trip. Join her newsletter for more bookish recommendations and a free short story by visiting maryhelensheriff.com/free-short-story.
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