Author Amor Towles did it again! I loved his 2021 historical novel, The Lincoln Highway. His books have a simple premise yet are rich in character development, deep context, and are such enjoyable reads!

The story takes place in June 1954. Eighteen-year-old Emmett Watson is sent back to his home in Nebraska where he has served many years on a juvenile work farm for involuntary manslaughter. His objective is to pick up his 8-year-old brother, Billy, and start a new life in California after their dad’s recent death via The Lincoln Highway. The highway is one of the first transcontinental roads from Times Square in NYC to California.

But as most stories go, things don’t go as planned. His two friends from the work farm stowed away in the car driven to Emmett’s home by the warden. His buddies, Duchess and Woolly, have a different plan for their futures that involves help from Emmett and his 1948 powder blue Studebaker Land Cruiser. 

The book is written from multiple points of view so each chapter heading is a recurring character. I love this format because you get to know each character for more than just a couple of sentences at a time. 

 Because this book is 576 pages, I borrowed the audiobook from my local library and read along. It was a great choice! I felt like I was back in grade school and reading along as my teacher read the story out loud. I felt more engaged and invested in the book. I need to continue this trend!

 I’m recommending this book for several reasons. It takes place in the summer so it’s the perfect time to read it. It’s now available in paperback. The story is very charming. You’ll love the characters. And I absolutely loved it! 

Also, Towles has a lot of cross-overs in his books. If you read The Rules of Civility and are going to read The Lincoln Highway, be on the lookout for some interesting links. It’s such a great overlap! 

Don’t let the number of pages intimidate you. I slugged around my hardback copy for the last month and enjoyed every page! I felt sad I finished it. Whatever you choose to read this summer, put down your phone and go on a date with a book. It’s good company. 

After you read The Lincoln Highway, I highly suggest you listen to the Read With Jenna podcast, “Amor Towles: All From a Message in a Bottle”. It’s fantastic.