The Texas Escapes Traveling Library

A few years ago "a traveling library" consisted of a road map and an owner's manual. Lately, re-shelving books after sharp left turns made us aware that the term is valid. We were a Bookmobile without being registered as one. One's enjoyment of Texas is greatly enhanced by selected books and authors.

Our Top Texas Travel books for travelers not in a hurry are:

1. The Official Texas Highway Map by The Texas Department of Transportation. Beware of cheap imitations.
2. The Texas State Travel Guide by the same people. Both are indispensable. New one every year.
3. SPLASH ACROSS TEXAS by Chandra Moria Beal, La Luna Publishing, 1999.
   Fun to read and practical. Click here for review and ordering information. Book review | Excerpts |
   
4. THE EAST TEXAS SUNDAY DRIVE BOOK by Bob Bowman, The Best of East Texas Publishers, 1991.
   Concise, informative and entertaining. Written by the best guide to East Texas imaginable. Excerpts |
   
5. MULESHOE & MORE: The Remarkable Stories Behind the Naming of Texas Towns by Bill Bradfield and Clare Bradfield, Gulf Publishing, 1999
   Book review |
   
6. COUNTER CULTURE by Susie Kelly Flatau and Mark Dean, Republic of Texas Press, 1999.
   A select statewide tour of conversation and cholesterol. A gem.
   Book review |
   
7. TAKING THE WATERS by Janet Mace Valenza, University of Texas Press, 2000.
   Not as much fun as CRAZY WATER by Gene Fowler, TCU Press 1991, but easier to find.
   Book review |
   
8. GHOST TOWNS OF TEXAS by T. Lindsay Baker, University of Oklahoma Press.
   It would be higher on our list, but it's woefully out-of-date. Still a good reference.
   
9. Texas Almanac 2002-2003: 2000 Census... , The Dallas Morning News.
   Good for county facts. Ignore the propaganda.
10. WHY STOP? A Guide to Texas Historical Roadside Markers (Third Edition) Gulf Publishing by Betty Dooley Awbrey, Claude Dooley and the Texas Historical Commission.