New Journeys without Moving an Inch
Never underestimate the pleasure of a great read.
When I sorted through some stuff a couple of days ago, I found library cards from five places: Borensberg, Motala, Linköping, Halmstad, and London. I can’t remember any phase of my life in which I haven’t read at least something.
Throughout 2008 I was mostly an armchair traveler, traveled in my mind. Even though the real deal is better, don’t underestimate the pleasure of a great read. Apart from learning about everything from music, food and culture to geography, politics and history, you’ll go on a new journey without moving an inch.
If you’re a picky reader, check out The Modern Library’s 100 Best Novels, The 69 Greatest Fiction Travel Books of All Time by Condé Nast Traveler, or get hold of a copy of Khaled Hosseini’s second novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns.
A thousand splendid suns was great. Hosseini is an amazing author.
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You are right, a good travel book – and it has to be a book and not a travel movie – gives a certain feeling to be at a destination as well, though you stay in your own armchair.
I wouldn’t call ‘Thousand Splendid Suns’ a travel book. It is a brilliant book… but does it give a complete feel of the place? Anyway, one of the really tagged ‘travel’ books I liked recently was Rolf Pott’s ‘Marco Polo didn’t go there’. Some of the anecdotes may seem abrupt but it is a nice way of getting that” hearing a story at the pub from this guy who went traveling” feeling.
Reading a good book can be the next best thing to traveling in terms of a good escape.
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I’ve recently started discovering some great reads and the art of taking in a good book. Totally feel you on this one.
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If you are at all interested in trying to understand the seething megalopolis I am currently living in…ie Mexico City, I really recommend “First Stop in the Twenty First Century” by David Lida – a New Yorker living here … it is quirky, accessible and highly readable
@Matt, So amazing he instantly became one of my favorite authors. I really liked The Kite Runner, but A Thousand Splendid Suns exceeded all my expectations.
@Travelwriter, I wasn’t only speaking about travel books in this post, but rather the journeys one can make from all types of literature.
@Amulya, Since the book mostly captures the history of Afghanistan, the circumstances of the characters and how they deal with them, it’s definitely not a ‘travel book’.
I agree with you about Rolf Potts. He never fails to engage with his stories.
@Wendy, Certainly! Or a good movie. That also works.
@Lola, Enjoy your new reads!
@Catherine, Mexico City? Without a doubt. Have wanted to visit and learn more about the city ever since I saw Man on Fire. Thanks for the recommendation. Have put it on my “books to read” list.
This is great! I’m always looking for travel books to ready – love it!
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@waisze, Thanks… If you’d like more tips, here’s a great article from Brave New Traveler http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/01/03/the-50-greatest-travel-books-of-all-time/