Touring With Books: Late Summer Book Tour ’25

I’m less than one month away from my next cross-country book tour. This will be my fourth trip between Illinois and Nevada, with each tour introducing me to the majesty and diversity of America. 

Last year, I travelled north through Utah to I-80 and over the Rocky Mountains and across the rolling farmlands of Nebraska and Iowa. My return trip followed the historic Route 66 across the Ozark Plateau and through the American Southwest. Earlier this year, I traveled north from Illinois to Wisconsin, then cutting west on I-90 through the central lowlands and Black Hills before turning southwest through Wyoming and Utah. There were many amazing stops and sights along the way, some of which were chronicled on Instagram (@RichBecker) and TikTok (@RichardRBecker). 

In addition to historic and quirky landmarks, I visited more than twenty bookstores, leaving signed copies of 50 States and Third Wheel behind any time I could. I met some amazing readers and bookstore sellers along the way. Some have become lifelong friends.

One of my favorite moments on the last tour included someone who came to the Rapid City Books-A-Million signing just to purchase "50 States" based on a friend’s recommendation. It’s always an amazing feeling to meet someone who has been referred as well as people who bring in copies they’ve purchased and read months earlier. Authors dream about these moments. I’m so grateful to have had some. 

In a few weeks, I’ll be doing it all over again, carving out a route through Arizona, lower Colorado, Kansas, and Missouri before heading north to the Quad Cities. I haven’t mapped out the sights, but I am happy to share the bookstores. I really appreciate them taking me in for a few hours. Book signings and meet and greets with "50 States" and "Third Wheel" are the highlight of being an author. 

Late Summer Book Tour ’25

Aug. 25 - Barnes & Noble in Flagstaff, Arizona

Aug. 27 - Barnes & Noble in Pueblo, Colorado

Aug. 29 - Watermark Books in Wichita, Kansas

Aug. 30 - Barnes & Noble in Columbia, Missouri

Aug. 31 - Wordsmith Bookshoppe in Galesburg, Illinois

Tentative Post-Tour Date 

Oct. 18 - Las Vegas Book Festival 

In addition to the Las Vegas Book Festival, I’m considering a few other destinations later this year. I might have an opportunity to return to Flagstaff and Reno. We’ll see how that plays out. 

The biggest news, of course, will be the release of my next book. “Born on Monday” is tentatively scheduled for release on Oct. 21, but I’m hopeful to have advanced copies in time for the Las Vegas Book Festival. 

“Born on Monday” is a gripping tale of resilience, moral ambiguity, and small-town sins — a literary thriller that will keep readers breathless until its haunting conclusion. The novel is set in Augusta, Maine, building off the short story Time Capsule in "50 States."

Since I didn’t have a chance to visit Maine before its release, I’m hoping to plan a New England book tour in 2026. What would that look like? I don’t have details yet, but visiting Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and maybe Vermont. 

There are more announcements coming up, including some free audiobook drawings for anyone attending an upcoming book signing. If you are interested, make sure you sign up for my free newsletter, Scraps by Rich Becker. Along with announcements, I often include a free peek at an upcoming short story, and I should have some tour landmarks picked out before the next newsletter drops. And follow my adventures on Instagram, YouTube (@RichardBecker), or TikTok!

Reading Books: 8 Books To Read If You Loved Third Wheel

"Third Wheel" by Richard R. Becker is my gritty, heart-wrenching coming-of-age thriller of betrayal, redemption, and the search for hope in the morally gray desert suburbs of 1980s Las Vegas. It follows fifteen-year-old Brady Wilks as he seeks freedom from an abusive home and a fleeting chance at love, only to find a treacherous world of lies, drugs, and feeling like a third wheel in every aspect of his life — a true outsider. 

This novel has really made the rounds, selling more than 1,500 copies in its first year and still going strong with seven literary awards and a 4.7-star rating on Amazon, 4.6-star rating on Goodreads.  And while my next novel — to be released later this year — is unrelated, Third Wheel (much like 50 States) serves a great introduction to my work, which often explores perception and identity (among other themes). 

There has always been something that draws me to stories about teens who face adult problems like Brady does (and I did growing up in the inner-city of Milwaukee and later Las Vegas). So, I thought it might be worthwhile to share a list of eight books with similar themes, settings, or tones, based on their exploration of adolescence, social dynamics, crime, or transformative personal journeys.

8 Books To Read If You Loved Third Wheel 

1. "The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton. Often cited as a direct comparison, "The Outsiders" is a classic coming-of-age novel about teenage outcasts navigating social hierarchies, loyalty, and conflict in 1960s Oklahoma. Like "Third Wheel," it explores the struggles of a young protagonist (Ponyboy Curtis) seeking belonging amidst a backdrop of violence and fractured relationships. Both novels feature tight-knit friend groups, betrayal, and a raw depiction of youth. Readers of "Third Wheel" who enjoyed its emotional depth and group dynamics will resonate with this.

Key Themes: Belonging, class conflict, loyalty, growing up too fast. Setting: 1960s Tulsa, Oklahoma

2. "Rumble Fish" by S.E. Hinton. Another Hinton novel, "Rumble Fish" delves into the life of Rusty-James, a troubled teen idolizing his older brother and grappling with his place in a rough, urban world. Its gritty tone, focus on teenage rebellion, and exploration of fractured family dynamics echo "Third Wheel’s" portrayal of Brady’s struggles with his mother and criminal entanglements. The cinematic, almost noir-like atmosphere aligns with Becker’s vivid depiction of 1982 Las Vegas.

Key Themes: Identity, brotherhood, rebellion, loss of innocence. Setting: 1970s urban America. 

3. "All the Smoke" by Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson. While a memoir rather than fiction, "All the Smoke" captures the raw, unfiltered experiences of two NBA players growing up in challenging environments, facing peer pressure, and navigating risky social circles. Its focus on resilience and self-discovery mirrors Brady’s journey in "Third Wheel." The conversational style and emphasis on overcoming adversity make it a compelling non-fiction parallel for readers drawn to Becker’s realistic characters and themes of belonging.

Key Themes: Resilience, peer influence, and self-discovery. Setting: Various U.S. cities, 1980s–2000s.

4. "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger. This iconic novel follows Holden Caulfield, a disillusioned teen grappling with alienation and the search for authenticity in a world he perceives as hypocritical. Like Brady in "Third Wheel," Holden navigates a complex social landscape without reliable adult guidance, making both stories resonate with readers who connect with themes of isolation and self-definition. Becker’s nod to Salinger as an influence further ties these works together.

Key Themes: Alienation, identity, rebellion, loss of innocence. Setting: 1950s New York City.

5. "Blacktop Wasteland" by S.A. Cosby. Cosby’s modern crime thriller centers on Beauregard “Bug” Montage, a former getaway driver pulled back into crime, set against a gritty Southern backdrop. While the protagonist is older, the novel’s exploration of loyalty, moral dilemmas, and the pull of a criminal underworld parallels Brady’s entanglement with drugs and the Mob in "Third Wheel." Cosby’s vivid prose and focus on personal transformation align with Becker’s storytelling, and Becker cites Cosby as an inspiration.

Key Themes: Crime, loyalty, redemption, family dysfunction. Setting: Contemporary rural Virginia.

6. "Less Than Zero" by Bret Easton Ellis. Set in 1980s Los Angeles, this novel follows Clay, a college student returning home to a world of privilege, apathy, and drug-fueled excess. Its bleak, unflinching look at youth caught in destructive social circles mirrors "Third Wheel’s" depiction of Brady’s descent into Las Vegas’s criminal fringe. Both novels capture the era’s underbelly and the emotional toll of seeking connection in a morally compromised world.

Key Themes: Alienation, decadence, loss of innocence, peer pressure. Setting: 1980s Los Angeles.

7. "Monster" by Walter Dean Myers. This young adult novel follows Steve Harmon, a Black teenager on trial for his alleged involvement in a robbery gone wrong. Like "Third Wheel," it explores a young protagonist’s struggle with identity, peer influence, and the consequences of association with crime. The emotional weight of navigating a harsh adult world and seeking redemption makes it a strong parallel, especially for readers who appreciate "Third Wheel’s" socio-analytical depth.

Key Themes: Identity, justice, peer pressure, moral ambiguity. Setting: 1990s New York City.

8. "Tangerine" by Edward Bloor. This young adult novel centers on Paul Fisher, a visually impaired teen navigating family dysfunction and social challenges in a new Florida town. Like Brady, Paul seeks belonging amidst peer dynamics and uncovers darker truths about his surroundings. While less crime-focused, its coming-of-age themes and focus on resilience in a flawed world align with "Third Wheel’s" emotional core.

Key Themes: Identity, family secrets, resilience, social dynamics. Setting: 1990s Florida.

These books were chosen for their shared focus on coming-of-age struggles, complex social dynamics, and/or gritty settings. While "Third Wheel’s" blend of thriller elements and emotional depth makes it unique, the listed books capture similar vibes through teenage protagonists, crime, or transformative journeys. 

Like "Third Wheel,", these books can be found anywhere books are sold. "Third Wheel," along with my short story collection "50 States," will be featured on part one of my 2025 national book tour. 

Signing Books: Early Summer Book Tour '25

Yesterday was a breezy Saturday in Las Vegas, but it still made for a beautiful day for a book signing. I had set up an Authors & Artists tent at the Art in the Park event at Bruce Trent Park to gauge interest in some new prints of Jenna Becker's artwork. (We still need to set up an online store for her.) 

This was the second time I attended the event. The first time was in 2021 to show her what it might be like to meet people and sell her work as a high school sophomore. This time I was on my own (with my wife's help) because Jenna is studying art and psychology at Augustana College in Illinois. Her presence was missed, but it was nice to do this for her. We'll send a check of her proceeds in a few weeks.

Book signings and author events.

One of the vendors sitting across from me thought I was doing it wrong, introducing myself and then my daughter's work as I gauged which might interest them more. I usually steered the conversation to whichever side of the table they leaned toward. The vendor, a Russian immigrant selling handmade Italian clothing, would say: "No, like this! Here is an award-winning author. Look, look! Here he is. Signing books. Today only!" 

I had to laugh because inevitably someone would gravitate to my tent and buy a book when she did this. It's the kind of thing someone can do for you, but you can't do it on your own for yourself as an author. Of course, it's a little different at bookstores. Book lovers always seem interested in authors, even if you don't write their genre. If you greet them at the door, many will come and say hello. I had a virtual sellout in Reno last March, so I had to add inventory to what the store had ordered.

The Reno signing coincided with visiting my son. The early summer signing coincides with driving my daughter home from school for the summer. I'll fly into Chicago, drive to Rock Island, and start the tour. 

Pretour Warmups

March 1: Barnes & Noble in Reno, Nevada 

April 5: Art in the Park in Las Vegas, Nevada

Early Summer Book Tour '25

May 24: The Atlas Collective in Moline, Illinois 

May 25: Lion's Tooth in Milwaukee, Wisconsin 

May 27: Paperbacks and Pieces in Winona, Minnesota 

May 28: B&N Sioux Falls in Sioux Falls, South Dakota 

May 29: Books A Million in Rapid City, South Dakota 

May 30: Bookin' IT in Casper, Wyoming 

May 31: Barnes & Noble - Sandy in Salt Lake City, Utah 

Late Summer Book Tour '25 

Stay tuned! 

The second book tour will take place toward the end of August and the beginning of September when my daughter returns to school. Just like the early summer tour, it will follow a different route than last year's cross-country adventure or the one I am sharing above. Several people have asked me to visit Kansas, so I'd like to draw a route through Arizona, southern Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois. 

We'll see. Bookstores sometimes influence my route. I'm more apt to stay in and highlight communities where I sign books. This worked very well last year, when I chronicled the trip with my daughter on the first half and my wife on the second half of the tour on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, X, and elsewhere. 

It was a lot of fun, leading me back to this post's beginning. I didn't sell many books at Art in the Park, and that's okay, as I also don't expect every signing to be like Reno (more than 40 in two hours). While it's always nice to sell well or out, I measure success with every connection I make—the readers, managers, and owners—and every experience it affords me with my son and/or daughter. 

I will continue doing it, too, as long as giving her rides back and forth across the country makes sense. (I may even duplicate the first leg of the '24 Book Tour in 2026 as I'll have a new book out by then!) And when it doesn't? Then, I'll likely set up some New England and southern state tours with my wife. 

We'll see. The point is that in-person events aren't just about sales. They're about enjoying a life well lived. You can't ask for more than that, except maybe Book Tour T-shirts. Ha.