Jamie's books are okay, I guess. However, I would not follow his actual route advice word-for-word, mile-for-mile. That's because this is YOUR road trip, not somebody else's.
Rural, off-the-beaten-path places that aren't in books, can usually be found by *asking locally*. Get in a grocery line, and start chatting with locals. "What are some things to do around here that are fun?" Hubby and I have found a few like that, mostly when we are visiting family and we want something to do besides sit around and talk.
Donna