October 2025 Literary Road Trip Box: Iowa

It's time for our popular "Spooky Season" box. This is always one of the most fun boxes to plan, as it contains seasonal treats and surprises.

Our October box takes us to a state where over 85% of the land is used for agriculture and this state famously has more pigs than people.  A popular tourist attraction is the farmhouse that inspired artist Grant Wood’s American Gothic.  The trampoline, sliced bread machine, and vending machines were all created in this state. Columnist Ann Landers and author Bill Bryson were both born here. For October, we travel to “Hawkeye State: - Iowa!

The October featured book is The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf. This mystery novel follows a true crime writer who rents a farmhouse in rural Iowa that was the site of a murder. During her stay, she becomes snowed-in, and a mysterious child appears at her door. This unnerving story weaves multiple timelines and will keep you guessing until the very end.

Our indie bookstore partner for October is Beaverdale Books. Beaverdale Books is in Des Moines, and they opened in 2006. We’ve included their store bookmarks and logo stickers in this month’s box.

Taste the state with two treats from Iowan small businesses. First, a roasted corn snack from Heart of Iowa Marketplace. This company has been around for over thirty years, working to source Iowa made products from small businesses and farms across the state.  The second treat is a candy-themed for Halloween; Snickers flavored coffee from The Blue Strawberry Coffee Co. Blue Strawberry opened in 2003 in Marion, Iowa.

It wouldn’t be spooky month without a book-themed Halloween item. This month the boxes included one of three ghost/book themed pins.

These pins come from Scribble and Scroll. This mother/daughter run design company opened in 2024 and is based in North Carolina.

The Iowa box sold-out during our subscription phase. Subscribe now to reserve future Literary Road Trip boxes and recieve our lowest prices.