Clik here to view.
Melanie Holmes has spent a lifetime exploring the roads, trails, and hidden gems of Illinois.
Now, the award-winning author, speaker, and educator has captured the essence of the state in her latest book, 100 Things to Do in Illinois Before You Die, a guide designed to inspire adventure and appreciation for the Prairie State.
Holmes, formerly of Palos Park, currently resides in Plainfield. She originally grew up in Manteno and graduated from Manteno High School before continuing her education at Kankakee Community College. Her love for writing began with a deep personal mission to communicate the complexities of womanhood to her daughter.
That desire led her to interview 200 women across the country, research women’s history and rights, and compile her findings into The Female Assumption, which went on to win a 2014 Global Media Award from the Population Institute in Washington, D.C.
Her latest book, however, takes a different path — one that winds through the landscapes, history, and attractions of Illinois. Holmes had been aware of Reedy Press’ 100 Things travel book series, which initially focused on major cities across the country. When the publisher expanded into statewide bucket list books, she saw an opportunity.
“I thought Illinois deserved one,” Holmes said. “And as a lifelong Illinoisan, travel enthusiast, and four-time published author, I approached Reedy Press to write the Illinois book, and they said yes right away.”
Clik here to view.
Holmes’ passion for history and unique travel experiences shines through in her book. Among the adventures she highlights, two stand out as personal favorites: sleeping inside a wildlife park in a vintage caboose and staying in a historic mansion surrounded by miles of forested hiking trails.
“I love history, and every place has a history,” she said. “And I also love unique lodging experiences. There’s something magical about immersing yourself in a place’s story while staying overnight.”
Launched in early summer 2023, 100 Things to Do in Illinois Before You Die has been met with enthusiasm from readers. Over the past 19 months, Holmes has conducted 60 book events across the state, engaging audiences as large as 200 people.
“People love this book!” she said. “My goal is to inspire people to support hardworking businesses in their backyard or region. There are so many unique things to do that are free or low-cost. I love helping people create memories without breaking the bank.”
Her writing process for this book was an exercise in storytelling, carefully curating experiences to showcase the depth and diversity of Illinois.
“I wanted to help people see that Illinois is much more than cornfields and the Land of Lincoln,” she explained. “We love Lincoln and our farmers, but we are much more. We have whitewater rafting, caves, downhill skiing, a Confederate cemetery, a huge chunk of the Berlin Wall (that you can touch), and a deep national forest that covers almost 300,000 acres. The list goes on.”
Holmes has authored five books in total: The Female Assumption (2014), A Hero on Mount St. Helens (2019, University of Illinois Press), Manteno/Images of America (2020, Arcadia Publishing), The Secret Life of Postcards (available exclusively at the Kankakee County Museum gift shop), and now her Illinois travel guide.
For now, Holmes is focused on sharing her latest book with audiences across the state through literary book tours. She will also soon begin teaching continuing education classes at Joliet Junior College.
“Travel is both fun and educational,” she said. “We get one life. Through travel, we can continue learning and growing, even if it’s just seeing a new type of bird on a hike or perusing the state’s largest antique mall and finding a ‘thing’ that you never knew existed.”
Whether through books, speaking engagements, or the written word, Holmes continues to inspire others to explore, learn, and embrace the beauty of the world around them, starting right here at home in Illinois.
The post Author inspires with new book on Illinois adventures appeared first on Southwest Regional Publishing.