Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Traveling all over the world is a dream for many. However, only a small percentage of people manage to accomplish this due to their life circumstances. Life Travel and the People in Between is a memoir by Mike Nixon. Mike relates his journey to becoming a world traveler, overcoming challenges one step at a time. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Mike and his family moved to Norfolk, Virginia, when he was very young. A year out of high school, Mike started working as a hotel receptionist, dreaming of traveling the world after meeting hotel guests from around the globe. After going to the Dominican Republic on a student program, he volunteered for the Peace Corps. He traveled all over South America, while a later stint in the US Navy took him to the eastern hemisphere.

Life Travel and the People in Between is a travel guide, memoir, and inspirational tale all in one. Mike Nixon lays bare his life story, giving an unabashed account of how he pursued his dream of traveling the world and learning different lessons along the way. Through his experiences, whether they were in South American countries, South East Asia, or India, Mike learned to deal with people from widely different cultures, acquiring unique knowledge and wisdom during each of his journeys. These travels also connected him with people whose influence he would carry for the rest of his life. This is a captivating memoir that I will recommend.

Reviewed by Joe Wisinski for Readers' Favorite

The Buddha and the Bee: Biking Through America's Forgotten Roadways on a Journey of Discovery by Cory Mortensen is the story of a bicycle ride from Minnesota to California. Mortensen started without much planning, expecting a mostly trouble-free ride. But along the way he faced broiling heat, freezing cold, being chased by dogs, innumerable flat tires, and more. Although he was often lonely and sometimes lacked the motivation to keep going, he finished his ride in only 34 days. A map and chart at the beginning of the book show the route of the ride, broken down by day. Each chapter begins with where he rode that day and the distance he covered. This book is more than a day-by-day account of a bike ride. Mortensen mixes in the history and geography of places he biked, along with some photos. He finished his ride, in his words, as “no longer the person I was less than a month before.”

The Buddha and the Bee captured me from the first paragraph. Author Cory Mortensen flashes forward to write about a terrifying bicycle ride across a bridge in California with two semi-trailers bearing down on him. From there and throughout the book I thoroughly enjoyed Mortensen’s accounts of his day-to-day adventures, especially his encounters with the people he met. Mortensen is a talented writer; I felt like he was talking to me instead of me reading a book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants an entertaining tale of adventure, courage, and perseverance. It’s especially valuable to anyone who might be thinking about a similar ride, or even a day trip on a bike, but even non-bikers will delight in a superbly told story.

Reviewed by Frank Mutuma for Readers' Favorite

"My mission was to listen, not teach, to learn, not lecture." This was the author's objective when he set his mind on traveling through the 50 states to understand what was happening with American democracy. Surprisingly, his superiors at Oxford didn't put him down, and even his parents, despite worrying about their son, were supportive. His travels revealed diverse cultures, political leanings, and various opinions on issues such as sexual orientation and race. Ryan Bernsten's 50 States of Mind: A Journey to Discover American Democracy is a masterful work that shows the different perspectives that affect our views. Ryan's open-minded approach to issues such as the 2016 and 2020 elections and the reaction that followed is amazing.

Although we are divided by many issues, we are also united by our common humanity. Ryan Bernsten's 50 States of Mind is a wealth of information. As Ryan rightly puts it, most political problems stem from being misunderstood. Politicians and large corporations are pushing their agendas, but people just want a better life, not deep division from which nothing good will come. I loved the way Ryan narrated his experiences with vivid descriptions of events and interviews, making the book not only educational but entertaining. I had an endless adventure through the 50 states without leaving my couch. I also loved the theme of tolerance as espoused in this book. It will go a long way to addressing many issues that we are currently facing. This book is a must-read.

Reviewed by Maria Victoria Beltran for Readers' Favorite

A Drive Down the Coast: Getting Lost on the Back Roads of California by Russ DiBella is an informative travel book designed for the adventurous traveler. Looking forward to a relaxed trip down the west coast, Russ planned to see a few sights and retrace some familiar roads but generally had an open-ended itinerary. The road trip begins in the north, heading south with the song Without You by the Doobie Brothers as a soundtrack. This book is more than just a travel diary. As we take the passenger’s seat, there is ever-changing scenery, a delightful playlist, and a history lesson on some of the remarkable places along the way. From north of the Oregon border to the southwestern corner of San Diego County, it is a great pleasure to take a drive down the coast through this book.

Russ DiBella’s A Drive Down the Coast captures the distinctive beauty of California’s landscape in remarkably vivid detail. I found the musical and literary breaks highly entertaining and informative. This book is for those who opt to travel by taking the road typically known only to locals, to really enjoy the scenery, and not follow a particular route too strictly. With mass tourism arguably becoming the trend in the past few years, this is a refreshing read. Russ DiBella captures the enthusiasm that the memory of the trip seems to evoke in him and it is contagious.

Reviewed by Lexie Fox for Readers' Favorite

The Color of the Elephant: Memoir of a Muzungu is the new autobiographical work from Christine Herbert. Covering several years of the author's life spent in the Peace Corps, the book shares her experiences of working in healthcare and education in Zambia. Covering a broad spectrum of anecdotes and incidents during her time in the country, the book uses an unusual present-tense method of storytelling to explore the many memories made during a deeply meaningful adventure out in the world. It is an approach that constantly challenges the reader to appreciate the small, taken-for-granted things that they enjoy in their lives.

This was a deeply engaging memoir that was brought to life not just by the candid attitude of the author being willing to share every part of her experiences, but also by the accessible and human way that Christine Herbert has of talking about them. It’s a masterstroke in a memoir such as this, which seeks to describe events very few of us will ever encounter in such a charming manner. No reader is left behind as The Color of the Elephant details every step of the author’s two-year journey to do her part in helping the people of Zambia. As the journey proceeds, the frankness with which the author discusses her mistakes and hardships creates an emotional investment in the reader that is only one small step away from physically having been there with her. An essential read for people interested in emotionally appealing and colorful memoirs.

Reviewed by Diana Lopez for Readers' Favorite

Everyone has dreams, but few people give their all for them. Heidi Eliason sold her house, quit her job, and set aside her financial stability to allow herself to live her own dream. She bought a motorhome and with Rylie, her dog, she began her journey. In Confessions of a Middle-Aged Runaway, Heidi tells us about her travels and how she was changing her lifestyle. She uses notes collected during her travels to narrate the experience that lasted almost five years. Heidi traveled through sites like New Mexico and California and visited breathtaking places like the Grand Canyon. She also met many interesting people and fearlessly tells us about her loves and disappointments. This story goes beyond overcoming the feelings of traveling alone. It shows us that it is never too late to make a change in life. It is always possible to change direction because we have a world of opportunities to discover.

Heidi Eliason's narration is one of the aspects I liked the most. She knows how to keep you interested at all times. In a very natural way, she describes her emotions and insecurities during her journey. But she also shows us pleasant experiences and the friendships she made on her travels. She gives us the context of her life before she decided to have a motorhome. We also understand her motivations for seeking change in her life. Confessions of a Middle-Aged Runaway is about true stories with unexpected moments, and it feels like living an adventure. It also expresses the happiness of being free but don't forget the complications of being alone or in new situations. Confessions of a Middle-Aged Runaway is a fun and entertaining read and an excellent motivator to make a change in our lives.

Reviewed by Diana Lopez for Readers' Favorite

Tyrel Nelson, an English teacher who lived in Ecuador for a year, learned everything he could about the traditions in a different land that he loved. He transmits that love in Stories from Ecuador, where he narrates his experiences throughout various destinations he visited. He tells us both his likes and dislikes, explains the culture and beliefs through stories based on his travels, and describes the people he lived with. Each chapter is illustrated with photographs taken on his travels. He also tells us about what it is like to travel from one place to another, the climate, nature, and the local people, giving us a very clear and accurate representation of what can be found in the towns he visited.

Stories from Ecuador conveys a lot of affection and friendship. Tyrel Nelson shares his love for education, not only because he talks with us about his students, but also because of his willingness to learn about a different culture. He makes reading about another culture an easy experience. He does not use technical data because he describes real experiences, but he does occasionally use words in Spanish, which makes you feel a little closer to Ecuador. The descriptions are magnificent and are accompanied by photographs, so you feel as if you were there. Narrated tours are a very enjoyable way to expand your horizons in a natural way where you can share the feelings that Tyrel Nelson conveys from his experiences.

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

It’s not often I pick up a memoir and find that what I’ve read is not only an engrossing story but a fascinating and most unexpected education. Dave Kobrenski, the author of Finding the Source, managed to keep me thoroughly entertained by his unpretentious approach to sharing details of his often chaotic life. From the time I first met him in his memoir, he exhibited a thirst for knowledge beyond what he could get from regular education, along with restlessness and an insatiable need for artistic expression. Kobrenski ultimately satisfied those needs during his travels to West Africa where he was mesmerized by African ritual drumming, but along the way, he succumbed to a crippling auto-immune disease. Back home, his only relief was through typical Western pharmaceuticals that kept him semi-functional in an opioid haze. But in the back of his mind was what he had been told by shamans and natural healers in West Africa: that he had somehow offended ancient spirits and he needed to make reparation or forever suffer from the curse they had put on him.

Hence, Kobrenski’s memoir is about finding the source of both his physical and spiritual problems. Does he find that source? That, dear reader, is for you to find out. But what about this education I mentioned I received while reading Finding the Source? Well, for one, Kobrenski told me about Elmina, a castle-like fortress where slaves were kept in complete darkness, standing shoulder to shoulder in their filth while waiting to be shipped out. Another time, he filled me in on just how our current opioid crisis began: I had no idea how its simple beginnings evolved to what we have today. Then there was one of the most beautiful and touching parts of my education under Kobrenski: his close look at the African culture and mentality when it comes to community and strangers within it: “In the village mentality…even a ragged stranger who ends up on your doorstep must be provided for.” Contrast that thinking, says Kobrenski, to how in the west, we allow so many to go without.

In Finding the Source, Dave Kobrenski, without being preachy or boring, and often in a humorous, self-deprecating way, teaches readers about so many different subjects, including his great love of African drumming. Further, he captures the essence of the African people through his art, which you can enjoy on his website at www.davekobrenski.com. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting his site after reading this wonderful memoir. I hope you will do the same. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Tammy Ruggles for Readers' Favorite

Monkeys on the Road: One Family's Vanlife Adventure South in Search of a Simpler Life by Mary Hollendoner is the award-winning part memoir, part travelogue of one American family's trip to the most southern point on the globe--fun, funny, heartwarming, heart-pounding--a rollercoaster ride in a van. Destination: South America. A daunting task for a jobless family going by van with their six-year-old child. They expected a few hiccups, but this may be more than they bargained for. Mary and her husband John decided to ditch their old life and set out for new horizons, hoping to reconnect again with what was most important in their lives: A sense of family, quality time together, and a life of adventure. This three-and-a-half-year journey brought them in touch with new people, beautiful nature, some danger, and life-changing memories, from small villages to wild animals to police searches. Then comes COVID-19.

Hollendoner writes in such a personal way that you feel as if you know her family. As you read, you imagine how you and your own family would react and interact on a trip like this. I like the range of emotions, going from tense situations to those that allow you to relax and catch your breath. At the heart of it is their family, and their yearning to hold on to what they have before it slips away. Another appealing aspect is the travel itself. You may never travel in a van, or even venture outside your country, but you can visit these places vicariously and get an idea of the locations, people, and cultures--so this book is as educational as it is entertaining. The book has an even pace, and we become familiar with Mary's "voice" as she shares her family's stories. You can't help but think that their daughter Lilly's experiences shaped her in good ways, and there are plenty of images to accentuate the text. If you like stories of travel and self-discovery, Monkeys on the Road by Mary Hollendoner is one you don't want to miss.

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

It’s never too late to replenish the sisterly bond or to repair what may have been damaged. Sisterhood is a slippery slope, but once sisters reach adulthood, many of the woes and disagreements are left behind and all that remains is a good, lasting friendship. Well, perhaps it is good and lasting, but there will inevitably still be some hiccups (and disagreements) along the way. For the three Moore sisters, Les, Liz, and Rie, now in their mid-sixties, taking a three-week, three-country vacation together is bound to be challenging, fun, nerve-racking, and a whole lot of laughs after the usual stomp-fest that they're well known for – that being disagreeing, then stomping away from the disagreement. It’s 2019 and the sisters are bound for Ireland, England, and Scotland. The adventure hasn’t even begun and the narrator, middle sister Liz, is already full of anxiety and the what-ifs of what could possibly go wrong.

Elizabeth Moore Kraus's travel memoir, 3 Sisters 3 Weeks 3 Countries (Still Talking), is, as the subtitle suggests, “A Humorous and Heartfelt Memoir.” It’s also part travelogue as readers can sit back and enjoy the sights along with the sisters. The stories are told in a conversational manner, the author speaking right from the heart. There is dialogue, situations recounted before, during, and after the epic adventure, and best of all, lots of photographs of the threesome on their trip of a lifetime. The stories shared are epic in the bonding of friendship through family ties; sisterhood has never seen a stronger example. From sharing a room (something the three hadn’t done since childhood some fifty years earlier) to agreeing on simple things like what to post home to ease the luggage overload, what and where to eat, and what sights to see. Love and laughter, that’s what it’s all about. So, sit back and enjoy a lively and entertaining jaunt to three countries with three sisters.