I'm not EVEN going to talk about how embarrassingly MIA I've been from my own blog of late. I'm just not. (Other than to say, I have my reasons for not having been here lately - and they're all about making the world a better place for bookish peeps, and you will thank me later.)

But, I am going to talk about bookish things.

Like BOOKS!

I still don't have my ABA/Indiebound Affiliate links up yet (see above re: things I am just not going to talk about), but I don't want to wait until I get around to doing that to resume talking about a TON of books that I really want you guys to check out -- books that will make for some excellent summer reading.

And by "check out," I don't mean you have to get them from the library. You can, of course. But, you can save yourself the time. You're going to want to own these books that I talk about here. Basically, any book I mention within the pages of this blog, you should just grab your keys, run out the front door, purchase asap at your favorite bookstore, and hold on to forever and ever. Because if I'm taking time which - based on my lack of time spent here lately, I apparently don't have - to talk about a book...it's THAT good!

So, I'm going to start with one little gem that is perfect because it sums up what summer is all about. It happens to be a fun read, but it's practical and what do you know? It makes for what is probably the best graduation gift EVER. (And, it could have made a few of my own road trips a heck of a lot more memorable - you know, in a GOOD way.)

The Little Roadtrip Handbook by Erin McHugh.

Darling Erin McHugh (or @ErinHere, as her Twitter buddies know her), has put together what is no mere guidebook. Not that it claims to be a guidebook, but I'm just saying - it IS kind of a guidebook, but it's more of a guide to recognizing the beautiful fact that a trip on the road has the potential to be so much more than just getting from point A to point B.

When I first heard about Erin's book, I was intrigued. You see, I love the romance that the term "roadtrip" conjures up--images of classic American convertibles with the top down; young kids just out of high school hitting the open road for the first time in their lives ON THEIR OWN and in search of themselves and AMERICA.

Cool stuff like that. Oh, and less poetic--but just as cool--stuff like eating really yummy-but-bad-for-you food at awesome roadside eateries, and stopping along the way to pay respects at iconic and cheesy monuments like Graceland.

Yup. I was very intrigued. Because, I've had my share of road trips, and some of them were funner than they had any right to be, but a lot of them were miserable. And, why is that? What makes one road trip rock, and another suck? Enter Erin and her Little Road Trip Handbook.

I'd venture to say that when it comes to road trips, Erin's Little Road Trip Handbook can make all the difference. Because, Erin explains (through instruction and example) how to optimize your road trip. It's all about preparation and attitude. There's the common sense stuff about things like car maintenance and leaving the illegal substances at home; but there's also (and more importantly to a girl like me) the big things like: screening out poor matches for traveling companions, and thoughtfully planning the soundtrack for your four-wheeled adventure.

Yes, Erin packs a lot of very usable info into the Handbook, lots of "off the beaten path" places to visit, recommended road-worthy snack choices -- but the beauty of the book is that it puts the roadtrip into proper perspective. It's all about enjoying the ride! It's all about doing whatever it takes to make the ride the best it can be for you and (if you find any worthy of making the trip with you) your companions.

Long live the Great American Road Trip.

And, long live great gals like Erin McHugh who know how to show us how to have a good time!

I am anxiously awaiting The Little RoadTrip II: The Grand European Adventure. So--get to work Miss Erin!

 

ISBN: 9781402731617

Author: Mchugh, Erin

Publisher:Sterling

Author:McHugh, Erin

Edition Description:Trade Paper

Publication Date:May 2009

Binding:Paperback

Illustrations:all in color

Pages:192

Dimensions:6.90x5.00x.60 in. .61 lbs.

Visit Indiebound for info on purchasing your very own copy of The Little Road Trip Handbook.