Lately, I’ve been grabbing random books off the shelves at bookstores. It’s a bit of a gamble, really. Sometimes I strike gold, other times, not so much. But recently, I’ve been on a winning streak, finding some real gems. So, I thought it’s about time I share my latest top picks with you. I do a lot of my reading while traveling, so here are seven books that are definitely worth your time:
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All Over the Place by Geraldine DeRuiter: Geraldine, also known as The Everywhereist, is a riot. Her book is a collection of travel stories, personal anxieties, and tales about her relationship with her husband Rand, who’s just as cool as she makes him out to be. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, but in the best way possible. While it’s more about her relationship than travel, it still exceeded my expectations. Geraldine’s writing is witty, sarcastic, and downright funny, and this book delivers all of that.
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The Worrier’s Guide to the End of the World by Torre DeRoche: After meeting the charming Masha at an event in NYC, Torre reunites with her in Europe. They decide to walk the Via Francigena trail in Italy and then follow Gandhi’s walking route in India. Along the way, Torre encounters snakes, shamans, rude travelers, friendly strangers, and a universe seemingly trying to guide her. This book is just as wonderfully written and engaging as her first.
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Island of the Lost: Shipwrecked at the Edge of the World by Joan Druett: Auckland Island, 285 miles south of New Zealand, is a place of constant freezing rain, wind, and scarce food. It’s the last place you’d want to be shipwrecked. Yet in 1864, that’s exactly what happened to Captain Thomas Musgrave and his crew, and a few months later, to the crew of the Scottish ship Invercauld. It’s a gripping, captivating story that serves as a stark reminder of the importance of keeping your cool.
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Dispatches from Pluto by Richard Grant: As a big fan of Mississippi, I was eager to read this book. English writer Richard Grant and his girlfriend decide to move to rural Pluto, Mississippi, to escape the city, lower their living costs, and try something new. They learn to hunt, garden, fend off wild animals, handle snakes, and make friends with some interesting characters. Grant delves into the contradictions of Mississippi — from race relations and class to education, food, family, and everything in between.
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The Palace of the Snow Queen: Winter Travels in Lapland by Barbara Sjoholm: Barbara Sjoholm embarks on a winter journey to explore the arctic region of Lapland, and ends up returning for two more winters to learn more about it. She uncovers the region’s rich history and delves into the tension between tourism, mining, and land use. Her book provides a deep dive into the Samis, the local indigenous population, and their struggle to maintain their culture in the modern era. As a lover of all things Scandinavian, it was refreshing to read about an area and people that often go unnoticed.
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The Not-Quite States of America by Doug Mack: The United States of America is more than just 50 states. There’s also the non-states of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. In this humorous, detailed, fact-rich book, Doug Mack explores these territories that are largely overlooked by the rest of the country, yet play a more important role in our country than we realize. I had the pleasure of hearing Doug talk about his book in NYC, and he’s a wealth of knowledge — just like his book!
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The Caliph’s House: A Year in Casablanca by Tahir Shah: Inspired by the Moroccan vacations of his childhood, Shah moves his family from England to Casablanca, hoping to escape the monotony of life in London and give his children a more carefree childhood. Shah is a captivating writer, and I was hooked on every word. While dealing with corruption, local bureaucracy, thieves, gangsters, and jinns causing havoc, Shah weaves a story that is beautifully written and endlessly fascinating.
Those are my current favorite reads. If you’re interested in seeing some of the other books I’ve recommended (or am currently reading), check out this page I created on Amazon that lists them all! I read a lot, so you can expect those links to be updated frequently. If you have any suggestions, send me a message. I’m always on the lookout for new books to read.
