The topic of pre-trip reading came up on my Facebook page the other day when we were discussing Iceland. I want to share a little of my process, because I think you’ll find it helpful. I usually end up writing about my journeys, so I do a lot of research before a trip. I start by reading a couple volumes of history about that place or region to get oriented. And then I read early travel accounts...
It’s that time again. I typically read about 100 books a year. Everything from travel literature to poetry, history, psychology, fiction and memoir. I love reading lists and recommendations, and I bet a few of you do, too. So at year’s end, I like to take a moment to share my top reads of the past twelve months. Here are the books that got my Road Wisdom Stamp of Approval, from one book lover to...
Our greatest living travel writer does it again. I think this may be Paul Theroux’s best travel book in years. It’s more considered and introspective than some of his previous (all thoroughly excellent) books. Perhaps because it’s based on repeated journeys through the same places over the course of four seasons, rather than a journey through a place wth an end goal in mind. He...
I’ve always gotten a lot of comments about the book cover of Vagabond Dreams. It really jumps off the shelf, and I loved it the first time I saw it. I thought you might like to know some of the symbolism behind it. The first element that jumps out at you is of course the boat. There’s a riverboat journey by dugout canoe near the beginning of the book, but that was really just the first act...
I read something like 100 books a year. All sorts of stuff, from travel literature, history, fiction, classics, philosophy and memoir. And I like to end each year with a quick wrap up of what I liked best. These are the books that stood out for me in 2013. Have a look through the list, and pick up a few. You won’t be disappointed. Weeding out the best from the borderline — so you don’t have to...
It might surprise you to learn that I changed my name when I wrote Vagabond Dreams. No, I didn’t trudge down to the courthouse and get myself a new legal alias. I changed my name in the manuscript. I was reading a lot of Henry Miller back then, and I was intrigued by the idea of “fictional autobiography” — a book that held true to the events of my life, but with a little creative license and a...
I found a quote in my notebook that I want to share with you: “Studies are pointed to indicating that of all the professions medicine is the one most likely to attract people with high personal anxieties about dying.” How We Die: Reflections on Life’s Final Chapter by Sherwin B. Nuland I wonder if writing attracts a disproportionate number of people with high personal anxieties about...
I typically read about 100 books each year (… and yes, I count them). Everything from travel literature to poetry, history, psychology, fiction and memoir. I’d like to take a moment to share my top reads of the past year—ten great books that earned my Road Wisdom Stamp of Approval, from one book lover to another. Chasing by Kathryn Woodall I picked up this excellent first novel on my...
Writing well is a lot like photography. It involves staying in a place and opening your aperture wide for a long exposure, so that you can gather the most light. The longer you sit at that cafe table or mosque or mountain peak, the more grain and detail will begin to come clear. Focused time allows deeper impressions and images to form on the surface of your mind — but like a camera lens, you can...
The Australian adventure lifestyle magazine Bare Essentials ran an 8-page interview with me back in November/December 2010. Their questions were fun and original, and I thought you might enjoy reading the full spread. Here’s the text in it’s entirety. Click the banner at the bottom of the page to grab yourself a copy. They did an excellent job on the layout, and it featured photos by...