One for the Road: Journeys of a Lifetime

by Kelly Amabile on

Another recent entry in the popular mega trip-list travel book category is National Geographic’s Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World’s Greatest Trips. Compiled from the favorite trips of National Geographic writers, this 400-page collection of glossy color photos and descriptions is another daydream machine for wanderlust readers. In addition to the featured journeys, there are also secondary lists for things like the top 10 elevator rides, ancient highways and bridges to walk across.

So, can every travel experience be listed? It seems that way these days. But, as Frank Bures eloquently argued in a recent World Hum travel book column, the checklist approach to travel misses the point. Super-sized itineraries are not practical, and in most cases, just not possible. And that is a good thing. However, this book, and similar titles, are still fun to flip through. They’re kind of like destination menus for travelers to pick-and-choose from — for ideas, inspiration or discussion with others. But over-ordering should be avoided.

One for the Road: The Palace of the Snow Queen

by Kelly Amabile on

I’ve had a copy of this book for awhile, but unfortunately have not had a chance to read it yet. However, I want to let you know about Barbara Sjoholm’s new book now, because she’s got an event coming up this week. The Palace of the Snow Queen is a travel narrative that follows the author through Sweden, Finland and other parts of Lapland. Sjoholm visits the Ice Hotel in Kiruna, takes part in traditional activities like reindeer racing and dog sledding, and adjusts to the ever-darkening days of the Far North. Bookslut recently posted a positive review.

If you live anywhere near Bellingham, WA, you can meet the author and view a slideshow of photos from her travels in Lapland at an event at Village Books this Thursday night. She’ll read from her book, and also discuss the culture of the indigenous Sami, who are currently in a struggle to maintain their traditional reindeer grazing lands and migration routes.

One for the Road: MTV Roadtrips USA

by Kelly Amabile on

Like yesterday’s pick, here’s another guidebook series that I’m not going to review because I haven’t had a chance to look at it yet. Actually, Neil first told us all about this series when it was launched last fall. MTV’s travel guides first hit bookshelves last fall, published in partnership with Frommers. The latest title was released earlier this year: MTV Roadtrips U.S.A. is a detailed tribute to roadtripping across America, courtesy of the reality-tv-lovin’ music video generation.

This collection of road trips is organized by themes, with a slew of suggested itineraries: visits to wine festivals in Virginia, Bonnaroo in Tennessee, Jersey Shore excursions, a Vegas to Baja getaway and a Southern BBQ roadtrip are just some of the cruising suggestions offered in this team-written guide for trendy young travelers. Sounds like it is a hefty guide at 800+ pages, so you may just want to poke through it for ideas at the library or your favorite bookstore.

One for the Road: Take me to Your Leader

by Kelly Amabile on

You can’t miss this book. Literally — I’ve seen it everywhere recently. Any Barnes and Noble I’ve passed this week has dozens of copies of this bright yellow oddball guide standing upright, luring readers in. “Buy me! And Take Me To Your Leader“, it screams. If you crave bizarre stories and weird facts, than you might get hooked into buying this irreverent look at Planet Earth.

So what useless world facts will you find in this quirky guide? You’ll learn which drink is the traditional “hooch” in countries like Sri Lanka (Kasippu) and Macedonia (Rakia), and how to say “Cheers” and “I love you” in Arabic, Swahili and Esperanto (and a bunch of other languages). There are also handy drawings of every airplane ever designed, a list of the Seven Wonders of the World (as chosen by the American Society of Civil Engineers) and that all important two-page spread of famous world sausages. (I was surprised to learn that I’ve already sampled six in my lifetime.)

The list of random yet (arguably) useful facts continues…keep your eye out for the yellow cover and see if you get sucked into the void.

Book inscriptions inspire travel, and make great souvenirs

by Kelly Amabile on

I walked into the wrong bookstore in Granada, Spain last February, but I’m so glad I did. I was looking for an English-language bookstore on Calle Gracia called Metro, but instead I wound up at a different shop just a few doors down. Libreria Praga shelves mostly Spanish titles, but has a small section of used English-language books. A spine with Simon Winchester’s name caught my eye, and I was soon the owner of a used copy of The Professor and the Madman. This story about the making of the Oxford English Dictionary seemed like something I’d enjoy (which I did when I read it a few months later) but I bought the book simply because of the fascinating inscription I found written in blue ink on the title page:

August 18, 2003: For darling Maggie on her one hundred and fifty-sixth birthday from him who unabashedly adores her – U. David.

Actually, there is another short word scribbled before “U. David”, probably a first name or initial, but I can’t quite make it out. But what an interesting discovery, huh? Was it an inside joke between old friends? Or did someone really live for as many years as Hong Kong was under British rule? Highly unlikely. There is surely a backstory, and one that most likely will remain untold. But for a book-lovin’ traveler, this is one of the best souvenirs around.

If you’ve come across interesting inscriptions, consider submitting them to The Book Inscription Project, a neat online effort to collect special book messages found by readers worldwide. Two recently posted travel-inspired inscriptions on the site reminded me that I have to submit my Granada discovery. Take a look at these: First, a short note to a voyager about finding his special island, inside a copy of Vonnegut’s Galapagos. Second, a Christmas gift for a nomad — a copy of On the Road, the only book that moves as incessantly as he does.

Books move and messages get carried with them, from one reader to the next. What travel treasures have you found (or left for others) inside the front cover of a book?