Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

The Water Has Come by Keldra S Pinder is a non-fiction memoir that follows the devastating path of Hurricane Dorian with a first-hand account of its destruction. Situated on Grand Bahama Island in a zone without a mandatory evacuation, Pinder, her aunt and cousin, and her immediate family make the decision to remain at home in the immediate approach of Dorian in September of 2019. Pinder is no stranger to hurricanes and over the years found that news reports broadcasting danger tended to be as murky as the flooding water. As the category five Dorian changes path with an instantly catastrophic landfall, the now terrified family shelters in place. Other families are also trapped in homes and spaces, clinging to life as a deluge overpowers their sanctuaries and mounting casualties are not just the stories of strangers—these are friends, family, and acquaintances now forever connected by a disaster of biblical proportions.

I cried reading The Water Has Come. I cried so much that my wife brought me a roll of toilet paper and recommended I take a break from Keldra S Pinder's deeply cutting book. The truth is, I couldn't and I'm glad I didn't because the hope that rises to the surface as survivors are pulled from the water is as powerful as the hurricane itself. Starved, bruised, shocked, sleep-deprived, and still searching for the dead and living, Pinder describes a reconnection to faith and a cleansing of sorts. The writing is exceptional and I loved how the narrative wove back and forth between timelines where Pinder sheds light on her life. Hurricane Dorian itself has the feel of an additional character, a determined adversary going after every living thing in its passage. “And he brought the ocean inland with him, killing every plant in the ground. But Dorian came to kill more than just the trees. He wanted us too.” Very, very highly recommended.

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

Head Waggling in Delhi And Other Travel Tales from an Epic Journey around India by Eytan Uliel is a fascinating look at India from the perspective of a young traveler. At 23 years old, Eytan Uliel set off with his girlfriend on an epic adventure, a four-month backpacking trip around India. They had a budget of just $12 per day living, traveling, and eating as the locals do. They traveled north to south, east to west; Varanasi to Mumbai, Rajasthan to Kerala. Tea drinking in Darjeeling, roles in Bollywood films, bowing before the mighty Taj Mahal and going hippy in Goa. Four months of discovery and an experience they will never forget – the good, the bad, and even the ugly side of India, exposed in a humorous, affectionate, and heart-tugging story.

Head Waggling in Delhi And Other Travel Tales from an Epic Journey around India by Eytan Uliel is an amazing story. India is somewhere I have always wanted to visit and now I want to do it even more. Written in soul-baring, honest and humorous words, Eytan Uliel takes us on that epic journey. His descriptions transport you there; you can hear, feel, see, even taste it all. Every chapter tells of their experiences in a different city and the journey to get there and his words will have you chuckling, gasping, shaking your head, even shedding a tear or two as you enjoy their experiences in the most real way imaginable. There is more to India than the glorious Taj Mahal and the beautiful Kerala backwaters and it is one of the most diverse countries in the world. This is an eyeopener, highly recommended for anyone who loves travel stories and who is seriously considering India as a future trip.

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

Bad Karma: The True Story of a Mexican Surf Trip from Hell by Paul Wilson is the non-fiction memoir of a California surfer whose nomadic spirit had him chasing waves south of the border. Paul Wilson details his story in the first person, documenting his journey from the word go. The word 'go' is fitting given Wilson's willingness to hop into his VW van and road trip to go surfing on the mainland Mexico coast. The real purpose? He didn't fit in with the cool kids. Once on his way the trip goes from bad to worse in a downward spiral that begins with a fancy camera that Wilson applies to the karma throughout the rest of the trip. He and his travel companions are eager to hit their surf targets in an era still a decade and a half away from mainstream internet, and maps being of particular uselessness when driving in a country where detours lead them off the beaten path.

Paul Wilson has written a totally engrossing memoir with Bad Karma. His (mis)adventures are incredibly well depicted, as are his travel companions and others he meets along the way—including a guy named Joaquin. I loved the dialogue. It's so very authentic and frequently hilarious, capturing California lingo that's on point for its decade. “Dude… I hear you’re headin’ to Mex. With my bros, man.” Despite numerous experiences that didn't go as planned, Wilson provides such vivid detail that the book is practically a travel journal. It's unfortunate that nobody shared their experiences, as it would have definitely made clear how detrimental attempting to cross a river—even in a Wonderbus—can be. The cherry on top is the photos sprinkled throughout the book. The writing is intelligent and tight, and I believe this book will find a receptive audience of adoring fans.

Reviewed by Foluso Falaye for Readers' Favorite

After years of a self-focused, living-to-work lifestyle that was further worsened by divorce and losing her job, Mary decided to take a new route by traveling to Africa to impact lives as a teacher and conquer herself and her fears. At almost sixty, Mary yearned for a new narrative, one involving uncertainties, nature, simplicity, and unearthing the treasure within: her inner lioness. Looking for the Lioness: A Safari to Myself is a true account of Mary Morrison's experiences of serene and beautiful landscapes, dangerous safaris that include lions and escaping enraged hippos, building wonderful memories with students and teachers she would remember for life, and a sharp change in living conditions that only the strong can survive.

It is always fun to see someone else's view of what you see as normal. Though some things about East Africa are strange to me as a Nigerian, we share some considerable similarities, which I was excited to learn about in Looking for the Lioness. In her expository book, Mary Morrison frankly explores her (American) culture's similarities and differences with the African culture she experienced. Her story is a deep look within, a desperate search for fulfillment advanced by a drastic change of environment. Looking for the Lioness presents a rich depiction of some parts of Tanzania, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, and Uganda. Learning about religious practices, educational systems, historical facts, living conditions, food, and lifestyles, in general, was an engaging and eye-opening experience. Buckle up for a wild-eyed, insightful, and exquisite adventure!

Reviewed by Fiona Ingram for Readers' Favorite

Brian E. Priest is a brilliant writer. I don’t say that very often. I think I was expecting a travelogue when I picked Tiddlers in a Jam Jar for review. This is more a ‘lifealogue,’ if one can be permitted to make up such a word. Apparently, Brian always wanted to be a gypsy with a horse and a vardo (wagon), and from his subsequent travels, it appears that he fulfilled this boyhood dream. But every adventure has to begin somewhere, and Brian’s story starts in war time Britain. One sentence stood out for me to describe the era of war time and post war Britain: “Houses were left unlocked in an era of trust.” I found that single sentence very moving (odd though that sounds), given what life is like these days as we surround ourselves with walls, electric fences, alarms, and armed response. Life, although grim and harsh post war, was very different.

Brian takes us through moments of his (to him and his friends) almost idyllic, carefree childhood which nowadays would have been considered by the politically correct arbiters of social and parenting standards to be utterly appalling, horrifically dangerous, and hazardous to any child’s health. But he survived, despite the beige school meals, and thrived, until his peregrinations took him to that far flung edge of the precipice called life. And he jumped. Into the Antipodes…to begin a new exciting adventure. There are a number of ‘vintage moments’ that will delight readers and fans of British royalty, art classes, the Beatles and John Cleese (Monty Python enthusiasts will enjoy references), with a motley crew of eccentric and memorable characters as friends, and his low-level entry into the world of publishing. From there, and after numerous hilarious adventures, Brian headed for Central America (where apparently Americans were not popular) to enjoy some dangerous encounters, some archaeology with even more dangerous encounters, North America and Canada, the mind-boggling hippie culture, and on to Europe and beyond to more adventures in a lifetime than any one person deserves!

This book is an Aladdin’s cave of treasure for the reader who enjoys writing that engages the senses as well as one’s appreciation of great writing. There is just too much worthy writing to do this book justice in a short review. The author’s humour and wit are dry and subtle. Don’t rush your reading or you might miss some deliciously sly descriptions. Each sentence is a polished visual gem, drawing the reader into the events unfolding or the situation described. I confess to going back and rereading sentences I particularly enjoyed. Brian made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion. To be honest, I think I had a laugh on every page. His style is succinct, sometimes choppy, and yet the whole flows in a lyrical way, carrying the reader smoothly along on a never-ending river of images. For me, the imagery evoked in just a few sentences is something I have hardly ever found. What makes it even more enjoyable is that the creation of the imagery is somehow effortless. I have read books where the author drowns their readers in a sea of words, trying to get the point across or create a picture. Not so here. Each sentence does its job perfectly. Nothing is extraneous.

I enjoyed the layout. Each chapter starts with an appropriate image and a brief outline of the contents. This is unusual but perfectly suits the author’s style of writing and the contents of this book. Is this a travel memoir, a life adventure, perhaps literary nonfiction? Maybe a bit of everything. I absolutely adored this book. I would encourage anyone who enjoys memoirs, travel adventures, and literary writing to grab a copy and sneak off to while away some time in a wholly immersive adventure. The author has enjoyed an enviously enormous amount of fun in his life. A must-read as well for anyone who remembers catching tiddlers and putting them in a jam jar…

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Unremembered: Tales of the Nearly Famous & the Not Quite Forgotten is a nonfiction collection of historical events and figures written by Ken Zurski. Zurski is a broadcaster, speaker and author whose books recreate the past. This book casts a spotlight on several dozen personalities and shares their contributions to society and progress. Among them are Nellie Bly, who bluffed and blustered her way into a well-deserved career in journalism when women were not welcome, and who circumnavigated the globe in less than 80 days; Nathaniel Currier, whose lithographic processes changed how news was disseminated, and Sam Patch, the Jersey Jumper, whose acrobatic skill and daring finally met its match in the Genesee Falls. Zurski covers the tragic, fiery destruction of the Lexington in the Long Island Sound on a freezing winter night; the fiery conflagration that leveled the New York City’s Wall Street Area and the Great Chicago fire; and the evolution of the flying machine.

Ken Zurski’s Unremembered is a grand and glorious tapestry of events and personages whose impacts were definitely felt, but whose stories have for the most part been forgotten or overlooked. I was fascinated by the way he weaves each person into the stories he tells, and I loved the care with which he develops his stories about Niagara Falls and aviation history, and used lithographs and historical artwork in his presentation. Zurski is a gifted storyteller who makes those forgotten people come to life -- he even instills a purpose and rationale for the temperance firebrand Carrie Nation as he discusses the development of women’s rights and suffrage through the 19th and 20th centuries. I was fascinated by his stories and loved learning about the unknown heroes, villains and trailblazers he highlights in this work. I was also pleased with the extensive bibliography he included. Unremembered: Tales of the Nearly Famous & the Not Quite Forgotten is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Maria Victoria Beltran for Readers' Favorite

Back Story Alaska: Reflections on the Wild Beauty and Characters of the Alaskan Bush by Lance Brewer is the tale of an exciting Alaskan adventure of a life time. In 1993, Lance Brewer accidentally finds himself traveling to a remote fishing lodge located in Chuit Creek, west of Anchorage, Alaska. A California-based lawyer, he immediately falls in love with bush Alaska and so was planted the seed of this book. Learning how to fly a ski plane and planning to own a float plane to be able to explore Alaska, he goes back and stays at the Bear’s Den Lodge on the Ugashik River where he befriends Ted, Bob and Carol; people that share his fascination for the land, and are building a cabin adjacent to the Bear’s Den. He subsequently establishes Camp Brewer where he also hosts various guests as they share the Alaskan landscape with the bears, eagles, moose, whales and other animals that call Alaska home.

Lance Brewer's Back Story Alaska: Reflections on the Wild Beauty and Characters of the Alaskan Bush is an engaging adventure story that comes with beautiful pictures and heart tugging poems, and as such it is an original piece of work. Sometimes funny, sometimes poignant, Lance Brewer shares his Alaskan interaction not only with its awe inspiring landscape, but also with its adventurous people and its varied animals, Alaska's original inhabitants. And as we go through the pages and gasp at man's encounters with nature, we cannot help but reflect on our own personal struggles with hope, survival, love and life itself.

Reviewed by Maria Beltran for Readers' Favorite

Tightwads on the Loose: A Seven Year Pacific Odyssey by Wendy Hinman is a memoir of the adventure of a lifetime. When Wendy met Garth in Washington D.C., she was fascinated to learn that he had sailed around the world with his family and lived like Robinson Crusoe after they bumped into a reef in Fiji that left a whale of a hole in their boat. Always adventurous, she had taken sailing lessons herself when her father bought a sailboat and had spent weekends and vacations sailing the Hawaiian Islands and the Chesapeake Bay. Wendy and Garth became a couple and dreamt of life at sea but after getting married, they settled down to pursue their own careers. After ten years, they finally decided to realize their dream of a tropical escape which resulted in a seven-year odyssey in the Pacific Ocean. This is their story.

Wendy Hinman's Tightwad on the Loose is a first-hand account of living in a 31-foot boat and going on a 34,000-mile voyage in the Pacific for seven years, with only the barest of necessities. A lot of people dream of setting the business of living aside to fulfill their dreams, but only very few really do it. Wendy and Garth belong to this special breed of people. And by writing Tightwad on the Loose, Wendy Hinman brings her readers with her while she relives their fascinating journey. Reading this book feels like being involved in plotting the trip and going with them on their sometimes exhilarating, sometimes frustrating trips to Mexico, French Polynesia, New Zealand, Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Kwajalein, Saipan, China, Hong Kong, Philippines, and Japan. And as they return to their old lives, her feeling of dislocation is contagious. This book is the next best thing to going on a seven-year odyssey itself!

Reviewed by Joel R. Dennstedt for Readers' Favorite

Dancing With Death is billed as ‘An Epic and Inspiring Travel Adventure.’ It is most certainly that. The dancing with death element, however, seems to be due in equal parts to the bold adventurism of its co-authors, Jean-Philippe Soulé and Luke Shullenberger, and their often naïve, some might say foolish, risks of unpreparedness. But these two travel partners are quite candid about their foibles (like an obsessive phobia about man-eating crocodiles), as well as their sometimes friction-filled moments resulting from fatigue and basic personality differences. So the fruit of their disparate but complementary perceptions is a deeply engaging, truly mesmerizing account of ocean-going survival and contact with indigenous jungle tribes inhabiting the southern world, all part of the “Central American Sea Kayak Expedition 2000 (CASKE 2000), a three-year, 3000-mile paddle across seven countries from Baja California to Panama, alternating between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts” – brainchild of Jean-Philippe.

"We chose sea kayaking as a low-impact way to penetrate untouched jungles and their inhabitants without disturbing them. We won’t meet indigenous people as high-tech tourists, but as people like them, living from the land and sea." This admirable and ambitious decision by Jean-Philippe Soulé and Luke Shullenberger lends David and Goliath drama to the epic tale of adventure related throughout Dancing With Death – not, in fact, a hyperbolic title. Told as a recreated narrative by Jean-Philippe, but also spiced with present moment vividness from journal entries made at the time (including many enticing photographs and ecological observations), these two ambitious souls take the reader on an unforgettable escapade of ultimate danger and discovery, inspiring less intrepid souls with displays of eclectic survival traits - like athleticism, boldness, ravenous curiosity, and endless buckets of uncanny luck. Even when confronting crocodiles.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Sail Cowabunga! A Family's Ten Years at Sea is a nonfiction travel memoir written by Janis Couvreux. Couvreux had inherited a taste for adventure from her dad, who would regale the family with his tales about life as a student in Switzerland after serving in the armed forces during WWII. She knew she wanted to be a journalist, a foreign correspondent, and decided that spending a college year as an exchange student in France would help her polish her fairly flimsy grasp of French. What she never expected was that she’d find the love of her life while there and would move in with him shortly after she had arrived in Bordeaux. Michel had also been bitten by the adventurer’s bug and had already hitchhiked across the length and breadth of the United States, and had interned for an architectural firm in California. Michel was in his senior year at the School of Architecture when they met and would, shortly after graduating, open his own architectural firm. The two of them needed more than just the success of his company to feel their lives were complete, however, and when they accepted a friend’s invitation to travel aboard his sailboat to Spain, they realized that sailing could be their next adventure. It would take some years of preparation: finding the right boat and preparing was just the beginning, but it finally happened. The young family with two small boys then set out to discover the world from the deck of their sailboat and would spend the next ten years doing just that.

Janis Couvreux’s nonfiction travel memoir, Sail Cowabunga! A Family's Ten Years at Sea, is a marvelous account of a most spectacular adventure. Janis and Michel, relatively inexperienced at sailing, would cross oceans and live on their wits while caring for an infant and a small child. Couvreux shares their triumphs and their mishaps, including the challenges of a boat that needed relatively frequent maintenance and learning about currents, storms and the oddities of nature first hand. I was particularly fascinated by her accounts of their travels through South America and found I was falling in love with Curacao without ever having been there myself. I also appreciated the efforts they made to ensure that their sons had ample opportunities to interact with other kids and experience schools within different cultures. Couvreux’s memoir is beautifully written, and makes it so easy to get caught up vicariously in the family’s experiences. Sail Cowabunga! A Family's Ten Years at Sea is most highly recommended.