Check Me Out - Haven July 2026

THE REST OF OUR LIVES

By Ben Markovits

When Tom Layward drops his daughter off at college, he finds himself facing a question familiar to many parents: what comes next? An unexpected road trip sends him across the country and into a period of reflection about marriage, family, aging, and the life he has built. This novel focuses on a stage of life that is rarely the center of the story. There are no dramatic twists or grand adventures here, rather there is just an honest examination of the choices we make and the people we become because of them. Thoughtful, funny, and quietly moving, it is a reminder that self-discovery does not end in our twenties.

YOU, WITH A VIEW

By Jessica Joyce

After her grandmother’s death, Noelle discovers a long-forgotten love story and the road trip that never happened. When she gets the chance to retrace that journey, she finds herself traveling with a longtime rival whose company she would rather avoid. There is a lot of romance complete with plenty of banter and chemistry, however, it was the exploration of grief, family, and second chances that made this book shine. The road trip itself - from national parks to small-town stops - provides the perfect backdrop for healing and self-discovery. Funny, heartwarming, and hopeful, this was one of those books that is simply a pleasure to spend time with.

THE ROAD TO TENDER HEARTS

By Annie Hartnett

These are the kinds of characters that should not work on paper, yet somehow become completely unforgettable. A grieving retiree, a granddaughter, a cat, and a collection of fellow travelers embark on a journey that is equal parts absurd and moving. This story celebrates second chances - in parenting, in love, and in life itself. Like the best road trips, the joy comes less from the destination than from the people gathered in the car along the way.

THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY

By Amor Towles

This is a great read to pick up if you’re looking for a nostalgic adventure and are ready to fall in love with some incredible characters. Emmett plans to start a new life in California with his younger brother, but fate has other plans when two unexpected companions join the journey. They take unplanned detours along the route and meet a cast of memorable characters. Filled with both sorrow and light, friendship and heartbreak, “The Lincoln Highway” is an exploration of human nature.

THE LAST AMERICAN ROAD TRIP

By Sarah Kendzior

This book follows Kendzior and her family as they crisscross the country, visiting both iconic attractions and places many travelers overlook. What I appreciated most was the openness in which she approached the people and places she encountered. She embraces both the beauty and the quirks of the communities she visits while also acknowledging the complicated histories that shaped them. Reading it reminded me that travel is often most rewarding when we approach it with curiosity rather than judgment.

THE RIDE OF HER LIFE

By Elizabeth Letts

In 1954, sixty-three-year-old Annie Wilkins left Maine on horseback with a simple goal: to see the Pacific Ocean before she died. So, she set out on an epic journey that carried her across the country and into the lives of countless strangers. The thing that makes this book so unique and wonderful to read is the kindness Annie encountered along the way. The generosity of the people she met—and the loyalty of her animal companions - left me just as captivated as the journey itself. A road trip with a twist, this remarkable true story captures the adventurous spirit of America at its best.

THE 10

By E.A. Hanks

I am always drawn to books that explore America beyond the major tourist destinations, and “The 10” does exactly that. Following the route of historic Highway 10, Hanks shares stories of the people and communities she encounters while also trying to better understand her own family history and a trip her mother once took her on as a child. This book is part travel memoir and part search for her own history, and it was easy to become invested in both journeys. And yes, for those wondering, this is written by Tom Hanks’s daughter.

RUN FOR THE HILLS

By Kevin Wilson

A group of half-siblings who barely know one another set off in search of their absent father. Wilson excels at writing about families that are a little dysfunctional but entirely relatable, and the conversations between the siblings are both funny and heartfelt. Beneath the humor is a thoughtful exploration of family, belonging, and the