Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

A New Day Dawns by Terry Lister is a non-fiction travelogue that follows its author as he explores countries in West Africa, making this the second volume in his Travels With Terry series. The book begins with an introduction to Terry for those of us who are just meeting him for the first time, followed by eight chapters of travel content that covers his time in the coastal countries of Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, and Ghana. Lister provides historical and cultural backstory to each place he visits and commingles the narrative with photographs and his own personal journey. These range in tone and tenor from the small, such as a three-hour wait for a mediocre dinner in Sierra Leone, to a slave castle and the infamous Door of No Return in Ghana.

Terry Lister is the guy that everybody wants to be friends with. He's well-traveled, articulate, and makes you feel like you've known him for years a few pages in after cracking open his book. A New Day Dawns is written simply and conversationally, in a way that connects his work to his organic experiences. Some of the photographs are blurry and faded and, frankly, really add to the charm of an already enjoyable experience. Sure, there are fancier travel books out there, but what sets Lister apart is the authenticity of his text. This is a man on a journey that transcends travel for the sake of travel.

This is an immersive experiment that is relayed to readers who, like Lister, want to dig below any and all superficial surfaces. In the small details, Lister shines, like the recounting of a journey from Monrovia to Zwedru that was supposed to take eight hours but eclipses 25. To this end, he states naturally, "This is Africa!" Thank you, Terry, for taking us along! Very highly recommended.

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

The Home for Friendless Children: Finding Hope, Joy, and a Place in the World by C.L. Olsen is a non-fiction memoir detailing a life of survival that transcends into one of true living. Olsen writes in the first person, but the narrative is actually that of her husband, Rob, a little boy who is introduced alongside his earliest memory, setting the tone for a childhood of near-perpetual trauma. Rob is one of several children from a father who left his wife and kids to fend for themselves and a mother who cannot find enough solid footing to raise any of them. Rob, his brothers, and two sisters, who are ultimately removed from his life for decades, are left picking up the pieces with varying degrees of success.

C.L. Olsen does an excellent job of giving her husband a voice in The Hope for Friendless Children. There is a profound innocence in the early chapters of storytelling that genuinely does sound like a child’s narration. With years and, in the case of the memoir, pages that translate into years, the narrative matures. Rob is unquestionably an individual who in his youth had socio-economic disadvantages, and his ability to rise above them is fortunate. Others are not so fortunate, not for want of trying but for the degree to which a child can be hardened. There is a misconception that individuals “choose” not to elevate beyond traumatic childhoods out of a lack of grit—which is absolutely false—but reading about one person who found strength always gives me the warm fuzzies. Recommended.

Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite

Holding Fast: A Memoir of Sailing, Love, and Loss by Susan Cole chronicles a family’s sailing journeys and their thrilling Caribbean adventure. Inspired by his own childhood experiences, John wanted his daughter, Kate, to feel excited about their upcoming sailing journey. Contrary to Kate’s reaction, Cole struggled to leave behind the community and home she had established before the move. But John was determined and his adventurous spirit began to rub off on Cole. In the memoir, Cole shares their adventures, the challenges involved including the times their commitment was tested. Nothing, though, could deter them. In a journey that began as a search for adventure, along the way they found love. They also developed the courage to face their greatest fears and follow their unconventional dreams.

From the sinking of their boat to Cole facing a hurricane by herself while John was away, the memoir is filled with many absorbing events that show the family’s resolve. I loved that the memoir also follows the couple’s love story which is made more captivating by their dissimilar viewpoints and backgrounds. Despite their differences, Cole is willing to abandon the perspectives she grew up with and follow John on an extraordinary and scary journey. There are also many endearing scenes of family moments and bonding experiences onboard the boat, Laughing Goat. Riveting descriptions of the cultures and political state of the places they visit are also included. I loved this book. It is captivating and well-written throughout. Holding Fast by Susan Cole is a powerful memoir that captures a family’s loving journey and their daring sailing adventures.

Reviewed by Trevor Otieno for Readers' Favorite

In 1969, Paul Gorman, who was 19 years old at the time, embarked on a backpacking trip across Europe. Gorman had grown up in a large family with a forgiving mother and a violent father. Gorman had just arrived in Luxembourg and was departing for the Canary Islands. He eventually learned how to rely on his resources to shape a sense of identity through the course of his voyage, following the unbelievable difficulty he encountered when attempting to forge a few travel checks. During this process, he matured from youthful innocence to the experience of age. Interspersed throughout this account are observations about Gorman’s troubled relationship with his father, his never-ending thirst for life, his search for love, and his other struggles. For more insights on the unfolding of events, grab a copy of Into Trouble by Paul Gorman.

In his writing, Gorman discusses his yearning for adventurous travel, his desire to flee his controlling father, and his fear of being recruited into the US Army. Trouble develops and ruins his ideal journey when he arrives at the sunny sandy beaches of Spain’s Canary Islands. Into Trouble was a fulfilling and fun read for me. My interest was maintained throughout while tension was built. This biographical coming-of-age tale of a naïve young American’s troubled journey to Europe is diligently told by Paul Gorman. I’ve been irrevocably affected by Gorman’s change and would suggest this book to all readers. They won't want to miss it because it offers a fantastic experience and a variety of lessons.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Weathered: Finding Strength on the John Muir Trail by Christy Teglo is a fascinating memoir that follows the author’s one-of-a-kind hike along the John Muir Trail. What is even more amazing is the fact that it is her first time on such an adventure. No one believes her in her office when she tells them what her plans are. After six months of research, she sets out to hike more than 220 miles in the High Sierra Mountains of California. On this journey, she experiences inclement weather, hail storms, losing her way, and meeting new people. But what stands out in the story is the confrontation with herself as she discovers a strength she never thought she had and a vulnerability that will enable her to have a fresh perspective on life.

The memoir is gripping and expertly written. The author shares her emotions vividly, infusing the writing with powerful and compelling descriptions, evoking imagery that will captivate the imagination of readers. While this book follows the author’s hiking adventure, it has a metaphorical nature as it describes the author’s journey to the center of her life. While hiking, she has time to be alone with her thoughts and to review her life, her struggling marriage, and her work. Themes of friendship, adventure, nature, and love are brilliantly written. Follow Christy Teglo’s exciting adventure as she braves challenging moments hiking the different mountain passes. Weathered: Finding Strength on the John Muir Trail is a hiking experience that takes the author through an exhilarating journey into herself. It is a book that will appeal to readers who have always wanted to do something similar and haven’t mustered up enough courage to actually do it. It is written in beautiful prose with imagery that will stay with readers.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

A Story of Karma: Finding Love and Truth in the Lost Valley of the Himalaya by Michael Schauch takes readers on a fascinating and insightful journey with the author and Chantal, his wife, to the remote Himalaya of northern Nepal - a desert of snow and ice in one of the most far-flung and dangerous places on earth. He speaks of his adventure in the mountains as being closer to God, connecting with the deeper truths within himself and his place in the world, the calmness and reverence that quietly exuded from it, and how he felt spiritual while climbing. The memoir is just not about mountains but is also about meeting Karma, a little girl, and how getting to know her and her family made him and his wife perceive the world in a different way. He shows the contrasting images of modern vs traditional, and preservation vs change, comparing their lives in a modern country like Canada to that of a country like Nepal. The memoir also speaks about how they live in harmony and balance with nature there and how they take pride in their rituals and traditions.

Michael Schauch's obsession to climb is palpable and his respect and love for the mountains are shown in the manner in which he captures the rawness and beauty. The memoir is spiritually invigorating, and shows how time and space move fluidly, and how what they gave Karma paled in comparison to what she did for them; showing immense gratitude and the simple joy she took in each and every experience. The author's deep connection with Karma, Pemba, and their family, the correspondences he and his wife experienced when they first went to Nepal shows how by honoring them they enriched their lives. The whirling clouds, the thick walls of snow and ice, and other descriptions make the place tangible to readers and the photographs shared at the end help readers connect better with the author's words. The book transcends multiple dimensions of the spiritual, physical, and material world, and gives glimpses of the human spirit, and how they overcome adversities and challenges and change lives.

A Story of Karma is spiritually uplifting and is a must-read because it is just not about the conquest of the mountains, but also of the mind and spirit. It gives valuable life lessons in human connection, self-discovery, finding truth, the connection, and the compassion between the author, his wife, Karma, and her family. The author's story will transform the vision and perception of readers, and make them more aware of Buddhism and Buddhist teachings.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Catamaran Crossing: A Sailing Adventure from La Coruña to Antigua is a work of non-fiction in the true-life adventure and narrative non-fiction sub-genres, and was penned by author Douglas Carl Fricke. Based on real events, the author takes us through a heroic adventure at sea where a group of friends takes the opportunity to sail across the Atlantic in a catamaran. A storm pushes the crew to its limits along the way, and so the reward is all the sweeter when they reach their destination. What results is an informative guide about the perils and joys of ocean sailing and a beautiful representation of our world.

Author Douglas Carl Fricke has crafted a fascinating true-life tale that reads like a narrative work of fiction, and as such has all of the adventure, description, and immersive techniques that fiction writers use to pull us into the story. I liked that these elements were interspersed with the technical details about the boat and voyage, and there was much to learn about sailing and this seaboard lifestyle along the way. The crew aboard the Toucan bond in some very touching ways, and there’s a real 80s atmosphere to the story which comes through strongly in the dialogue and atmosphere of the piece, making it very engaging and easier to contextualize. Overall, I would certainly recommend Catamaran Crossing: A Sailing Adventure from La Coruña to Antigua for fans of non-fiction who want a more narrative-led and immersive adventure story.

Reviewed by Susan van der Walt for Readers' Favorite

Five years after her mother died, Peggy O'Toole found the aérogrammes she sent her mother when she was a student and traveling in France. Reading these aérogrammes brings back her memories of this time from June 1970 to November 1971. In her memoir - Then I Won't Seem So Far Away - Peggy O'Toole shares with us the aérogrammes she sent to her mother and the full uncensored version of events. On the one hand, she shielded her mother from the possibly dangerous things she did. On the other hand, she omitted her striving to live a more liberal life after being raised as a Catholic.

Through reading Then I Won't Seem So Far Away, I got a glimpse of an era I have heard about but never experienced for myself. Born in 1969, I was a baby when Peggy studied and traveled in France. Since I grew up very protected, I found it fascinating to read how this young girl traveled through France and other countries, hitch-hiking and sleeping under the stars. I could associate with her struggle to break free of the restrictive bonds of her Catholic upbringing and trying to fit in with the popular crowd. Ultimately, her travels become a symbol of her journey of self-discovery. Although she enjoyed her time in France, I could sense her loneliness after her father's death and feeling isolated from her family since she hardly received any responses from her mother to her letters. Together with Peggy O'Toole, we experience events like Mardi Gras, harrowing rides when hitch-hiking, the hippie era, and her many other adventures. A charming, nostalgic memoir that fans of the genre will appreciate.

Reviewed by Astrid Iustulin for Readers' Favorite

If you have any doubts about your next trip's location, you will opt for Florida as soon as you start reading Kvaala's The Couple's Adventure: 85 Ideas to See, Hear, Taste, and Try in Florida. This delightful travel guide helps you define your trip effortlessly so that you will enjoy a beautiful holiday with your significant other. In The Couple's Adventure, you will find everything you need about attractions, food, music, and a variety of ideas to make your trip to Florida the best holiday ever. The information on each place is just one page long but gives you an accurate description, links to websites and Facebook pages, and addresses - in short, all you need to start planning immediately!

Whether you decide to leave for Florida tomorrow or a year from now, or you are reading The Couple's Adventure just for inspiration, you will have a good time. Kvaala's travel guide provides you with tons of information, sparing you the stress of planning your holiday all by yourself. Moreover, it is so well written that you would read it just for the pleasure of discovery. I did not imagine Florida could be such an exciting place. Now, I cannot wait to book my trip and explore the culinary, musical, and artistic destinations that The Couple's Adventure suggests I try. Kvaala's descriptions are short but effective and give you a taste of the places you will visit. I did not expect a travel guide could be so much fun. I advise you to get your copy - see you in Florida!

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Travels with Hafa: In Search of Ourselves by Nathan Pettijohn is an absolutely entertaining and fascinating adventure story that will take readers on a journey with the author who decided to take this trip after his marriage broke up. He went through another breakup and he realized all the breakups had been his fault. Then he decided to go on a road trip so that he could get out of the rut and routine of work. He thought the road trip might help him clear his mind and head and get a fresh perspective. He decided to go on a trip where he would be able to take his young pup, Hafa, who was nine months, with him. While exploring America, the author gives glimpses of the spirit and essence of the country, and Hafa’s travels along with him are the highlight of the book.

I really enjoyed the author’s way of addressing the adversities in his life by getting out of the city and exploring the Pacific Northwest. He begins the trip from California with Hafa, his German Shepherd, and it is heartwarming to read about the fun and adventure Hafa has on the trip. They go to National Parks, lakes, bars, and sometimes stop to meet friends, some of whom join him on the trip for a day or so. Nathan Pettijohn is a good storyteller and his detailed narration takes readers into the heart of the memoir and the country and makes the experiences tangible. Travels with Hafa is engaging and entertaining and the author’s style of expression gives it a good flow and movement. His story is also about healing and self-discovery, though initially it was meant to be an escape from his problems. There is not one boring moment in this story and it will encourage many readers out there to take a trip like him, with their pet dog.