As the sun beats down on the rugged landscapes of Arizona, acclaimed local author Lisa Schnebly Heidinger gears up to take her readers on a journey through the state’s nooks and crannies. Her book "Arizona Friend Trips: Stories from the Road", which she co-authored with Julie Morrison, has been handpicked to symbolize Arizona in the Library of Congress Center for the Book's 2025 Great Reads from Great Places program. The tour, announced by the Arizona Center for the Book, will celebrate the state’s culture and heritage, unraveling through her words and stories.
The literary expedition is set to kick off on August 7 at the Yuma County Foothills Library and will cover various other locales, including the Parker Public Library andthe Community Library in Sedona, among others. Heidinger is expected to not just deliver talks but to also immerse audiences in the spirit of Arizona, a feature that has been emphasized by the Arizona Center for the Book. "Lisa Schnebly Heidinger has a unique gift for connecting people to Arizona’s rich landscapes and stories," a representative stated in an article released by azsos.gov.
Embracing a combination of poetry and prose, "Arizona Friend Trips" delves into the iconic and the hidden locales of Arizona, which are often draped in layers of stories and sentiments attached to them. Each public library stop is poised to be a cultural rendezvous where readers can interact directly with the author through a Q&A session, following her presentation. This not only gives fans a chance to delve deeper into her work but also aims to foster a stronger community bond around the love for literature and travel. Admission to the events is free, embracing inclusivity and easy access for those eager to learn and explore.
Residents and visitors alike are welcomed to mark their calendars for this statewide tour that promises to robustly celebrate Arizona’s stories and destinations. Detailed information about the tour schedule, including timings and contact information for each stop, can be found on the state’s official announcement page. Among all the stops, special attention is paid to the Community Library Sedona on August 30, where the session begins at 10:30 AM, as stated by Tasha Spuches, which turns out to be one of the final dates on this literary trip. Funding for this project comes from the Arizona State Library, Archives & Public Records, which is a division of the Secretary of State that makes effective use of federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
