Arizonans looking for a literary adventure that hits close to home will be pleased to know that local author Lisa Schnebly Heidinger is touring the state with her latest work, "Arizona Friend Trips: Stories from the Road." The travelogue, penned in collaboration with co-author Julie Morrison, delivers a tour de force through Arizona's natural splendors and urban enclaves. It's not just a book—it's an invitation to wander and wonder at the Grand Canyon State's compelling locales and narratives, a tome that has caught the eye and endorsement of the Arizona State Library.
And the better news for bibliophiles and culture enthusiasts than the Arizona Center for the Book naming "Arizona Friend Trips" a 2025 Great Reads from Great Places selection, the honor means that the book will represent the textured tapestry that is Arizona in the Library of Congress's annual celebration, where each state's literary excellence takes the spotlight. The state tour, orchestrated by the Library Development team led by the State Librarian, promises to be more than a mere series of readings. "Lisa Schnebly Heidinger has a unique gift for connecting people to Arizona’s rich landscapes and stories," shared a representative from the Arizona Center for the Book, according to Pinal County.
The book's pages are rife with poetic reverences and narrative prose that whisk readers from the well-trodden paths to the state's less-trodden alcoves. Not only do Schnebly Heidinger and Morrison chart a physical journey across Arizona, but they also plot an emotional and historical route that speaks to the essence of what it means to be a part of this region—its past, present, and future. It's an experience the authors are now ready to bring to life with their statewide tour, an engaging series of talks where prose, poetry, and personal anecdotes will bridge the gap between the written word and the lived experience of the Arizona denizen.
Readers who have traversed the dusty backroads and sunlit highways of Arizona with "Friend Trips" as their guide will understand the Center's eagerness. The book is capturing the hearts and imaginations of many, sparking conversations about our interconnectedness with the land and with each other. As the tour kicks off, communities across Arizona are poised to engage with their home state in a wholly unique way, guided by Schnebly Heidinger's seasoned narration and Morrison's poetic flair. For more details on the tour and to find out when this literary caravan may be stopping near you, a click away lies the schedule on the Pinal County website.
