Yes! I have returned to officially jump-start this blog into existence! I recently returned from a three month hiatus in which I was studying for the Massachusetts bar exam and road tripping through the western United States with my good friend jill. In a few short weeks I will be jet setting off to beautiful Italy for eighteen blissful days filled with much history, pasta and gelato! Surely that will be deserving of a post!
In honor of the road trip I just took and my impending trip to Italia, Post #2 will highlight two of my greatest loves - traveling and reading! Here, I share with you a few of my favorite books to pick up when road tripping or jet setting! Please add other recommendations under the comments section.
(Caption: Me standing at the summit of lower Cathedral Lake above Touleme Meadows in Yosemite National Park)
Favorite Books (to listen to on audio) for a Long Drive Alone
The Road by Cormack McCarthy
I listened to this audio on a drive up to San Francisco this past summer. For any of you Californians, you all know how bleak and depressing the drive from L.A. to S.F. up the I-5 can be... especially alone. Just you, the open road and endless stretches of nothingness to keep you company. So, instead of feeling sorry for myself, I thought I'd give this book a listen. It seemed to suit my
circumstances.
First off, let me just say, if you are on a long depressing drive and seeking a "lift me up," move on. This book is about as sad and devastating as it gets. However, if you are a "glass is half full" kind of person, listening to this devastating journey amid an incredibly well crafted backdrop, will certainly help you feel better about your current state of affairs.
The plot immediately delves into a story about a father and a son who are living in (what we come to learn is) a post-apocalyptic world. Little light is shed on what has caused this wide spread catastrophe but we are given several hints throughout the book. I found the most compelling aspect to be the relationship between the father and the son, especially the father's struggle with survival -- driven by the love for his child but battered down by the continuous hopelessness they encounter on their journey. If you can slog through the disheartening landscape and weather the storm of this story, the ending of The Road is well worth it. See the Official Random House Website for The Road to read more.
The Solace of Open Spaces by Gretel Ehrlich
Should you find yourself in more natural, beautiful surroundings, I would recommend listening to this book. In a series of twelve essays, Ehrlich, a poet, describes her sensory and emotional experience of living in the quite, abandoned frontier of Wyoming. Many of her the essays depict women she met while living in the western countryside as a ranch hand and their ability to work alongside men, as independent and capable workers, despite the many hardships they are made to endure.
For me, the best part of this book was the writing itself. Ehrlich has the ability to transport her reader to the tranquil and serene landscape of the American West, impressing upon us the importance of leaving our busy lives behind to bask in beauty of nature. See more reviews about this book on goodreads.
Favorite Books for a Camping/Hiking Trip
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
Before embarking on my long road trip through the National Parks this past summer, I wanted to find the perfect audiobook for my friend and I to listen to throughout the course of our trip. Immediately, A Walk in the Woods came to mind. This was my second read of this riotously funny story of author, Bill Bryson's epic mission to hike the Appalachian trail.
Having convinced himself that he absolutely must conquer this challenge, he goes in search of a partner and provisions. With little to no practical hiking experience, he departs with hundreds of dollars in equipment, poorly drafted maps, and an ill-equipped hiking companion. What transpires is both hilarious and inspiring, as Bryson describes his journey, the enthralling history of the Appalachian trial and his ultimate love and bond to the north eastern wilderness. I highly recommend this to all who are headed out into the wild on foot. See Bill Bryson's Official Website to read more!
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
For those of you that have been living under a rock, Krakauer is a not-to-miss author and a legend among storytellers. Whether or not you've watched the movie or simply read the back cover of this book jacket, young Chris McCandless's fate in Into the Wild is pretty well established at the get go. It is the journey he takes, however, that is the crux of this novel. McCandless's fate merely adds force to Krakauer's ultimate message, that we should all demonstrate modesty and respect in the face of nature's powerful and often unforgiving forces.
Krakauer follows the true story of Chris McCandless, a somewhat misguided, free spirited young man, who casts out the materialism in his life in search of greater meaning and a deeper connection to nature. Discarding all his worldly possessions and burning what little cash he has, McCandless sets out on a pilgrimage across the U.S. to reach the Alaskan wilderness. Krakauer suppositions McCandless's journey across the American frontier with that of McCandless's days living alone in an abandoned school bus deep in the heart of Alaska. Using McCandless's journal, interviews of friends, relatives, and fellow sojourners that McCandless encountered on his quest, Krakauer is able paint a picture of this young man's expedition, his philosophies and the lives he touched along the way. A enlightening and tragic reminder of the fearlessness of youth, Into the Wild is a story you will not soon forget. Read Chris McCandless's fascinating Bio here.
Favorite Books for a Multi-Destination Trip
Last Chance to See by Douglas Adams and Mark Carwardine
Amidst Adams' mass market giant, the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy series, this little book has gone virtually unnoticed much to the detriment of readers everywhere. This story follows the author, Douglas Adams himself, Mark Carwardine, a zoologist, and a small team of individuals as they set out in search of a variety of animals on the precipice of extinction. While the subject matter is serious, this is one of the funniest books I've ever read.
Adams' insight with respect to similarities between humans and animals is both unique and wonderful. He humbles his audience by showing us the majesty of these creatures and the harm humans have imposed by forcing them out of their natural habitats. From the Komodo Dragon lizard, to the Baiji Yangtze River dolphin to the New Zealand Kakapo bird, to the Northern White Rhinoceros, Adams takes us on a wonderful journey to hunt down these animals in the wild and explain the conditions of their impending extinction. Adams' unyielding comic ability makes this journey fun, informative and unique. It's a great homage to Adams lasting legacy as an author. Check out this great video of Douglas Adams speaking at UCSB about the making of this book. I guarantee you will want to go pick it up!
Grounded by Seth Stevenson
Although I can't write from experience yet, as I am planning to read this book while in Italy, the book jacket really grabbed me. The book follows the author and his girlfriend as they attempt to circumnavigate the globe by way of ground transportation only - by train, boat, bike, taxi etc.. I am very much looking forward to reading it as I head over to Rome and I break their number one rule (travel by plane). Check out Seth Stevenson's Website to read more!
Favorite Book for Crossing a Big Ocean (by plane or boat)
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
The book follows the main character Pi, short for Piscine, as he travels across a vast ocean on a boat with his father, mother, brother and a representative selection of animals from their Zoo in India (slight Biblical reference there). When their boat is shipwrecked, Pi is the sole human survivor stranded on a tiny life raft with several animals from the boat including, most astonishingly, a male Bengal tiger. His struggle for survival on the open ocean is both heart-wrenching, inspirational, spiritual, and moving.
I guarantee you will be changed after reading this book and will continue to push your limits of belief --what you actually believe to be true and what you want to believe is true. For a quick overview of the plot and themes of the novel, check out this author interview with Yann Martel.
