It’s a journey that begins in a little place called Saluda, Virginia (population 300), a road trip through physical and spiritual territory that’s limited only by our own storytelling abilities and available Gas Money.

In his book of that title, first-time author Troy Lewis delivers what his promo material calls “a heartwarming, honest narrative that shows how everyday people with whom we come in contact on a daily or occasional basis shape our lives forever.”

And on Saturday, Lewis makes his next stop on that journey with a visit to the the Eastern Branch of the Monmouth County Library in Shrewsbury.In Gas Money, Lewis reminiscences on his experiences as a African-American boy growing up in the 1960’s South to craft a literary work that’s described as “packed with much humor, lots of inspiration and occasional sadness.”

The author himself explains the title of his book as a reference to “the gas money you have been given… the angels and achievements, the devils and derailments that possibly influenced your life choices.”

Now a resident of Middlesex County, Lewis has acquired a reputation as an entertaining, comedic and multi-talented public speaker. It’s a reputation earned through numerous personal appearances and interviews on shows such as as C-SPAN’s Book TV and the PBS program One on One with Steve Adubato. For his 2 p.m. event in the library’s community room, the author will employ a multi-media presentation that augments his readings with slides keyed to the spoken stories.

Signing copies of Gas Money will be available for purchase at the event, with no charge for admission and no reservation required.