If you're reading this, I'm already gone.

On my road trip, that is! This blog isn't going anywhere. :) 

However, I'm a big fan of taking breaks from technology while on vacation, so there's no formal post this week. Instead, I want to hear from YOU! 

First, for the curious: I'm traversing Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and a sliver of Iowa––all states I've never been to––before going back home to Columbus, Ohio, and you better believe I'm going to be stopping for bookish tourism stuff. I love going to cool independent bookstores in new cities and visiting authors' homes. Remember last year on my annual road trip I went to Robert Frost's and Mark Twain's houses? I'm planning on more of the same, so follow me on Instagram and Twitter for updates in real time. I'm @fixedbaroque on both.

I'll only be gone a week, but here are some fun things you can do in the meantime if you're having book withdrawals. 

• Join the Off the Beaten Shelf Facebook community, where the shenanigans will continue.
• Leave a comment asking for a book recommendation, whether for yourself or someone else, and I'll get back to you. 
• Share your opinion! I want to hear from you. What topics would you like me to cover in future posts? How can I make this blog and community more fun and engaging for you?  

I've also got some really fun posts planned for the next couple of weeks. I'll have literary tourism posts for Michigan and Minnesota, wisdom from Brit Bennett (author of The Mothers), and a series of straight-talkin' tips for writers, including the biggest mistakes writers make and how to avoid them.  

Stay tuned! I'll be back soon after a little road trip R&R.