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Recommend this book:
Once Upon a Villa
Adventures on the French Riviera
Andrew Kaplan
2024 Finalist
388 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Travel
Reviewed by C.R. Hurst for Readers' Favorite
Andrew Kaplan, an author better known for his best-selling spy thrillers and his award-winning television series, Homeland, takes a more light-hearted approach in his latest work, Once Upon a Villa: Adventures on the French Riviera, a memoir based upon his family’s time spent during the early 1980s in France, where he plans to finally finish the novel he hopes will lead to not only a lucrative publishing contract but also “writing that matters.” During this sojourn, he and his wife and toddler son hobnob with wealthy expatriates of the French Riviera, eat, drink, and spend too much while meeting celebrities like the royal family of Monaco, and writers such as Anthony Burgess, author of A Clockwork Orange, while experiencing some of the tumultuous events of the 1980s such as The Challenger disaster and the Chernobyl nuclear accident.
Having been a young woman during that decade, many of the events described resonated with me, and I recognized many of the names dropped. One of my favorite celebrity encounters is Kaplan’s chance meeting with the tennis star Boris Becker when he is just starting his Grand Slam career, an encounter which proves unexpectedly poignant since Becker’s fall from grace has become fodder for the tabloid press more recently. Yet, I think my favorite bits of Once Upon a Villa concern the author’s relationship with his wife and son. Although Andrew and Anne love one another, they also recognize each other’s flaws in a way that only well-married people can. Their son Justin steals every scene in which he appears. I also appreciated Andrew Kaplan’s insights on the craft of writing and his ability to show how a country can have such a big influence, as he suggests in a closing remark: “France doesn’t belong to us; we just borrowed her for a while.”
Andrew Kaplan, an author better known for his best-selling spy thrillers and his award-winning television series, Homeland, takes a more light-hearted approach in his latest work, Once Upon a Villa: Adventures on the French Riviera, a memoir based upon his family’s time spent during the early 1980s in France, where he plans to finally finish the novel he hopes will lead to not only a lucrative publishing contract but also “writing that matters.” During this sojourn, he and his wife and toddler son hobnob with wealthy expatriates of the French Riviera, eat, drink, and spend too much while meeting celebrities like the royal family of Monaco, and writers such as Anthony Burgess, author of A Clockwork Orange, while experiencing some of the tumultuous events of the 1980s such as The Challenger disaster and the Chernobyl nuclear accident.
Having been a young woman during that decade, many of the events described resonated with me, and I recognized many of the names dropped. One of my favorite celebrity encounters is Kaplan’s chance meeting with the tennis star Boris Becker when he is just starting his Grand Slam career, an encounter which proves unexpectedly poignant since Becker’s fall from grace has become fodder for the tabloid press more recently. Yet, I think my favorite bits of Once Upon a Villa concern the author’s relationship with his wife and son. Although Andrew and Anne love one another, they also recognize each other’s flaws in a way that only well-married people can. Their son Justin steals every scene in which he appears. I also appreciated Andrew Kaplan’s insights on the craft of writing and his ability to show how a country can have such a big influence, as he suggests in a closing remark: “France doesn’t belong to us; we just borrowed her for a while.”
Recommend this book:
Embracing Bewilderment
A Reluctant Entrepreneur’s Journey— An Unconventional European Summer Twisting into a Mind-Bending Excursion through Southeast Asia
Cory Mortensen
2024 Honorable Mention
302 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Travel
Reviewed by Renee Guill for Readers' Favorite
Embracing Bewilderment: A Reluctant Entrepreneur’s Journey by Cory Mortensen is a non-fiction travel book that is the sequel to Buddha and the Bees. The author explores Europe with just his passport and a backpack filled with basic necessities. He travels to places like Iceland, Scotland and England. He immerses himself in different cultures and talks about the history and people of the places he visits. Cory Mortensen's uncle asks him to do a job in Hong Kong. So, he goes to explore Hong Kong, Asia, and the Philippines too, while working for his uncle. He talks about what hostels to stay in and places to eat as well.
I thought that Embracing Bewilderment was an awe-inspiring book. Even though it is the sequel to Buddha and the Bees, you do not have to read the first book. I love these types of books; it is like taking a mini vacation without having to leave home. I loved that Cory writes in such vivid detail. If you get squeamish easily, you might want to skip the bullfight and cockfight sections. There are a few other places too, but not quite as bad. I loved how he says that what we may find gross and offensive, other cultures do not. I found that to be quite refreshing as most people forget stuff like that. There is mention of drug use and other issues too, but nothing too extreme. I loved that he shared the history of a lot of places. I loved that Cory Mortensen takes you to places that most travel books don't. He shares the good and the bad. If you love going on adventures or reading about them, I highly recommend this book.
Embracing Bewilderment: A Reluctant Entrepreneur’s Journey by Cory Mortensen is a non-fiction travel book that is the sequel to Buddha and the Bees. The author explores Europe with just his passport and a backpack filled with basic necessities. He travels to places like Iceland, Scotland and England. He immerses himself in different cultures and talks about the history and people of the places he visits. Cory Mortensen's uncle asks him to do a job in Hong Kong. So, he goes to explore Hong Kong, Asia, and the Philippines too, while working for his uncle. He talks about what hostels to stay in and places to eat as well.
I thought that Embracing Bewilderment was an awe-inspiring book. Even though it is the sequel to Buddha and the Bees, you do not have to read the first book. I love these types of books; it is like taking a mini vacation without having to leave home. I loved that Cory writes in such vivid detail. If you get squeamish easily, you might want to skip the bullfight and cockfight sections. There are a few other places too, but not quite as bad. I loved how he says that what we may find gross and offensive, other cultures do not. I found that to be quite refreshing as most people forget stuff like that. There is mention of drug use and other issues too, but nothing too extreme. I loved that he shared the history of a lot of places. I loved that Cory Mortensen takes you to places that most travel books don't. He shares the good and the bad. If you love going on adventures or reading about them, I highly recommend this book.
Recommend this book:
Travels with Maurice
An Outrageous European Adventure in 1968
Gary Orleck
2024 Bronze Medal
217 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Travel
Reviewed by Joe Wisinski for Readers' Favorite
Travels with Maurice: An Outrageous Adventure in Europe in 1968 tells the story of an average American man who traveled with the son of the richest man in the world at the time. Author Gary L. Orleck was a self-described “nobody” who drove almost 20,000 miles through 12 European countries in less than three months with his friend and companion Maurice. Along the way, they met kings and queens and partied with some of the most famous people in the world. Orleck experienced the power of what money and connections can do. As an example, when he wanted to call his father from France he was told it would take four to six hours for the call to go through. But Maurice intervened and within 30 seconds Orleck was talking to his father. The book is replete with many similar anecdotes.
Travels with Maurice: An Outrageous Adventure in Europe in 1968 is a fascinating book. I was hooked from the first page, although I won’t say what happened, as that would spoil the introduction. Gary L. Orleck is a fine writer who tells tale after tale of incidents that might be hard to believe if not for the captivating detail with which he writes, along with his obvious nostalgia. As Orleck himself said, “no one could make this story up.” Readers will quickly fall under Orleck’s spell and develop great affection, and yes, envy, for him and his friend Maurice as they experience their incredible journey through Europe. I highly recommend this wonderful story to anyone.
Travels with Maurice: An Outrageous Adventure in Europe in 1968 tells the story of an average American man who traveled with the son of the richest man in the world at the time. Author Gary L. Orleck was a self-described “nobody” who drove almost 20,000 miles through 12 European countries in less than three months with his friend and companion Maurice. Along the way, they met kings and queens and partied with some of the most famous people in the world. Orleck experienced the power of what money and connections can do. As an example, when he wanted to call his father from France he was told it would take four to six hours for the call to go through. But Maurice intervened and within 30 seconds Orleck was talking to his father. The book is replete with many similar anecdotes.
Travels with Maurice: An Outrageous Adventure in Europe in 1968 is a fascinating book. I was hooked from the first page, although I won’t say what happened, as that would spoil the introduction. Gary L. Orleck is a fine writer who tells tale after tale of incidents that might be hard to believe if not for the captivating detail with which he writes, along with his obvious nostalgia. As Orleck himself said, “no one could make this story up.” Readers will quickly fall under Orleck’s spell and develop great affection, and yes, envy, for him and his friend Maurice as they experience their incredible journey through Europe. I highly recommend this wonderful story to anyone.
Recommend this book:
 Everywhere Taught Me about Humanity, Geopolitics, and Happiness by Michael Mackay Richards explores a diverse array of landscapes and cultures worldwide. Beginning with the eruption of Mount Yasur in Vanuatu, the author contrasts modern travel privileges with historical explorers' challenges. Richards de...){kind=link}
The Travelling Ape
What Travelling (Nearly) Everywhere Taught Me about Humanity, Geopolitics, and Happiness
Mr Michael Mackay Richards
2024 Silver Medal
516 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Travel
Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
The Travelling Ape: What Travelling (Nearly) Everywhere Taught Me about Humanity, Geopolitics, and Happiness by Michael Mackay Richards explores a diverse array of landscapes and cultures worldwide. Beginning with the eruption of Mount Yasur in Vanuatu, the author contrasts modern travel privileges with historical explorers' challenges. Richards describes adventures across Papua New Guinea, Israel, the Namib Desert, Palau, Bolivia, Europe, Asia, South America, North America, and Australasia in rich detail, with elements like candid depictions of Port Moresby's urban decay and Palau's paradisiacal beauty, along with reflections on Ethiopia's unique history. Richards explores cultural nuances in places like Tokyo, Rome, Jeddah, Central Asia, North Korea, and China, raising questions about wealth, happiness, mental health, and democracy, and concluding with reflections on lifestyle choices inspired by healthy societies and the transformative power of global experiences.
The Travelling Ape by Michael Mackay Richards offers readers an armchair tour of the world and his own personal thoughts and insights on its state throughout, allowing us to connect with his experiences and perspective. I found the book and much of what Richards said to be timely considering where we are globally at this very moment. I felt that the greatest contribution the author makes toward helping us understand how we got here is through his historical contextualization, contemporary relevance, and the present-day implications of past events. Richards does his best to manage a balancing act that is both honest and somewhat objective, more so on religion than on politics and social constructs, and even with swaths of exhaustive research, he writes in a style that is accessible. It's remarkable how much he has traveled and the places he has been, and I have no doubt this book will be a delight for lovers of geography, travel, history, sociology, and pretty much anything relating to the human condition.
The Travelling Ape: What Travelling (Nearly) Everywhere Taught Me about Humanity, Geopolitics, and Happiness by Michael Mackay Richards explores a diverse array of landscapes and cultures worldwide. Beginning with the eruption of Mount Yasur in Vanuatu, the author contrasts modern travel privileges with historical explorers' challenges. Richards describes adventures across Papua New Guinea, Israel, the Namib Desert, Palau, Bolivia, Europe, Asia, South America, North America, and Australasia in rich detail, with elements like candid depictions of Port Moresby's urban decay and Palau's paradisiacal beauty, along with reflections on Ethiopia's unique history. Richards explores cultural nuances in places like Tokyo, Rome, Jeddah, Central Asia, North Korea, and China, raising questions about wealth, happiness, mental health, and democracy, and concluding with reflections on lifestyle choices inspired by healthy societies and the transformative power of global experiences.
The Travelling Ape by Michael Mackay Richards offers readers an armchair tour of the world and his own personal thoughts and insights on its state throughout, allowing us to connect with his experiences and perspective. I found the book and much of what Richards said to be timely considering where we are globally at this very moment. I felt that the greatest contribution the author makes toward helping us understand how we got here is through his historical contextualization, contemporary relevance, and the present-day implications of past events. Richards does his best to manage a balancing act that is both honest and somewhat objective, more so on religion than on politics and social constructs, and even with swaths of exhaustive research, he writes in a style that is accessible. It's remarkable how much he has traveled and the places he has been, and I have no doubt this book will be a delight for lovers of geography, travel, history, sociology, and pretty much anything relating to the human condition.
Recommend this book:
Tent for Seven
A Camping Adventure Gone South Out West
Marty Ohlhaut with Grace Ly
2024 Gold Medal
278 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Travel
Reviewed by Nino Lobiladze for Readers' Favorite
Marty Ohlhaut, his wife, Joeline, and children Grace, Julie, Mollie, Max, and Angela, are going on the much-anticipated vacation to the Canadian Rockies. They plan to camp and enjoy the outdoors, as trips to the wild have been Marty's passion since a memorable Wild West trip with four buddies in 1972. This time, in 1994, the Ohlhauts realized that the excursion may be their last as the children are growing up and may not be interested in family vacations for much longer. Little did they know what this trip had in store for them. Bad omens, a warning from a priest, misfortune on their way, bears that followed them everywhere they went, and a severe accident involving a family member made Marty redefine his views and experience. Tent for Seven by Marty Ohlhaut with Grace Ly is a captivating story of a family trip to remember.
Tent for Seven is a factual account that reads like a breathtaking thriller. Marty Ohlhaut and Grace Ly did a great job entertaining readers with a humorous account of an ill-fated family vacation while providing food for thought. Tent for Seven is narrated from Marty's perspective. His hilarious description of the bear species and the heartfelt ode to Saskatoon pie (the recipe is included in the book) are truly unforgettable. The witty writing style shows Marty's unbeatable spirit in the face of challenges and his boundless love for his family. I liked the flashbacks to the Wild West trip compared to the family excursion with its different levels of responsibility. The authors created profound and interesting characters, like the Walshes, good Samaritans who helped the over-stressed family in a time of need, or loving portraits of Marty's beautiful wife, Joeline, and their mischievous children. Tent for Seven offers meaningful observations for those considering camping in the wild. I highly recommend this book to those who love travel and the outdoors, memoirs, and humorous prose.
Marty Ohlhaut, his wife, Joeline, and children Grace, Julie, Mollie, Max, and Angela, are going on the much-anticipated vacation to the Canadian Rockies. They plan to camp and enjoy the outdoors, as trips to the wild have been Marty's passion since a memorable Wild West trip with four buddies in 1972. This time, in 1994, the Ohlhauts realized that the excursion may be their last as the children are growing up and may not be interested in family vacations for much longer. Little did they know what this trip had in store for them. Bad omens, a warning from a priest, misfortune on their way, bears that followed them everywhere they went, and a severe accident involving a family member made Marty redefine his views and experience. Tent for Seven by Marty Ohlhaut with Grace Ly is a captivating story of a family trip to remember.
Tent for Seven is a factual account that reads like a breathtaking thriller. Marty Ohlhaut and Grace Ly did a great job entertaining readers with a humorous account of an ill-fated family vacation while providing food for thought. Tent for Seven is narrated from Marty's perspective. His hilarious description of the bear species and the heartfelt ode to Saskatoon pie (the recipe is included in the book) are truly unforgettable. The witty writing style shows Marty's unbeatable spirit in the face of challenges and his boundless love for his family. I liked the flashbacks to the Wild West trip compared to the family excursion with its different levels of responsibility. The authors created profound and interesting characters, like the Walshes, good Samaritans who helped the over-stressed family in a time of need, or loving portraits of Marty's beautiful wife, Joeline, and their mischievous children. Tent for Seven offers meaningful observations for those considering camping in the wild. I highly recommend this book to those who love travel and the outdoors, memoirs, and humorous prose.
Recommend this book:
Life Travel And The People In Between
A Memoir
Mike Nixon
2023 Finalist
Kindle Edition
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Non-Fiction - Travel
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.
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.
Recommend this book:
The Buddha and the Bee
Biking through America's Forgotten Roadways on a Journey of Discovery
Cory Mortensen
2023 Honorable Mention
351 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Travel
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.
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.
Recommend this book:
![](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=/book-award/50-states-of-mind&media=https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51tAtA972XL._SL442_.jpg._AA200_.jpg&description="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 travel...){kind=link}
50 States of Mind
A Journey to Rediscover American Democracy
Ryan Bernsten
2023 Bronze Medal
266 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Travel
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.
"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.
Recommend this book:
A Drive Down the Coast
Getting Lost on the Back Roads of California
Russ DiBella
2023 Silver Medal
194 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Travel
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.
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.
Recommend this book:
The Color of the Elephant
Memoir of a Muzungu
Christine Herbert
2023 Gold Medal
284 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Travel
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.
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.
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