November 2025 Literary Road Trip Box: Oklahoma

My plan was for the November box to be mailed at the end of October, perhaps the first day or two of November at the latest. I like the Literary road trip boxes to arrive to subscribers within the first week of the month. Of course, sometimes things do not go according to plan.

I had a delay major delay with the books at the publishers and I could not mail the boxes until November 8th. Thank you to everyone for your patience. Luckily (knock-on-wood) delays don't happen very often, but it is certainly stressful when they do.

Our November state is full of surprises — it has more man-made lakes than any other state, the world’s longest multi-arch dam, and even the very first parking meter! Literary greats Tony Hillerman, Ralph Ellison, and S.E. Hinton were all born here, and it’s also where the first Girl Scout Cookie (a simple sugar cookie!) was sold. This month, we’re heading to the 46th state — Oklahoma!

November’s featured book is The Edge of Nowhere by C.H. Armstrong. When the family matriarch faces her final days, she decides to reveal long-hidden secrets. With flashbacks to the Great Depression and Oklahoma Dust Bowl, this story is full of survival, perseverance, and grit with a strong female lead.

A Novel Idea Bookshop is our November indie bookstore partner. Located in Guthrie, Oklahoma, the shop opened in December 2023. We’ve included their store sticker featuring “Mr. Darcy,” the resident shop dog.

Enjoy a taste of autumn with Apple Butter from Southern Roots Sisters, a family business founded in 2018 in Woodward, Oklahoma.

If your bookmark collection is anything like mine, you’ll love keeping them tidy with the bookmark holder from BNC Creations, a small design studio in Ossian, Indiana, run by Christopher, who enjoys creating unique pieces. Rounding things out is this month’s seasonal bookmark from Lauren Ann Boutique & Designs, founded in 2017 in Columbus, Ohio.