Choosing the Perfect Travel Read

A friend of mine recently asked me to help her select books to take with her on her on an upcoming trip she is taking to Bali for a month. I am flattered that she wants me to help her choose the perfect books to bring with her. As a traveller, she won't be able to pack too  many (books are heavy!) so the selections have to be on point. Immediately, her trip reminded me of the wildly popular Eat, Pray, Love which is all about finding oneself through travel. Our Twitter friend Trip Fiction @tripfiction replied to our Twitter query saying "we love to read books set in the location we are visiting :)" which makes me wonder if she should bring along Eat, Pray, Love. Personally, I found “love”(the Bali section) to be the weakest part of the book. Much like Elizabeth Gilbert (but much more emotionally stable), I am envious of my friend’s ability to leave her life behind and commit to self-discovery and travel for an extended period of time. As a literature lover, I truly believe that the books she brings with her will greatly enhance her experience and feel responsible for selecting a great roster for her!

What makes a great travel read?

When I travelled to Cuba over Christmas, I brought a light read and a classic. The “light” read I selected was actually quite lengthy and wasn’t as easy to get through as I originally expected. (You may remember my review of To Whisper Her Name.) There is a reason that beach reads are so popular; they're amazingly accessible to a wide audience of readers and it’s surprisingly satisfying to fly through a page turner! Especially for people who don’t read on a regular basis. Another close friend of mine only reads these types of books  - she coined the genre Grandma Lit - because she likes the predictable and reassuring nature of the love stories and happy endings. As an English major I am bored by them easily but still appreciate their importance and value. After finishing my “light read” I was happy to dive in to my special edition of Pride and Prejudice that I had received for Christmas. This combination worked really well for me and thus I am going to recommend bringing a combination of genres along particularly for a longer trip. My friend has indicated that she’s been reading a lot of classics and historical non-fiction lately and doesn’t want either for her trip. Therefore, classic literature is cut from the list for her however I will include it my recommendation for others who are looking for a well-balanced travel reading list. 

A Classic

If you’re a literature lover, a trip is the perfect time to delve into an old favourite or discover a text you haven’t read yet. As an Austen lover, I recommend Mansfield Park for those who have read a lot of classics and want to expand their repertoire. If you don’t read a lot of classics I would recommend Jane Eyre for your trip because it’s not as dense as some other choices but still gives you a taste of that wonderful female Gothic Victorian literature. 

Source: Google Images

 An Autobiography

For my friend’s trip I have recommended Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling. My friend and I are both die-hard fans of The Office. I gained a deep respect and appreciation for Kaling’s writing talent and creativity when I read Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me. I really enjoy reading recently published and relevant autobios. This book is great for any female twenty somethings out there especially those who have the burning desire to write. 

Source: Shelf Life

A Beach Read
I’m sure many bibliophiles are scoffing and if you find yourself doing so please move on to the next paragraph. However, if you’re a book lover and a beach go-er, I highly recommend throwing a Nicholas Sparks or Jodi Picault into your bag. It’s fun and refreshing to finish a book in a day and interesting to see how these books unfold. Sure, you might get sick of the metaphors and character’s exclamations but you flew threw it in a couple hours so who cares? I like having a light read in between heavier ones. If you simply can't stand these books try reading The Rosie Project which I consider both literary and easy to read (read my review of The Rosie Project here).

Source: Favim

A Freshly Published Novel

There’s nothing better than being on the up-and-up when it comes to newly published literature. Read something on the New and Hot shelf at your local book shop. Or, indulge yourself in a book that may not be brand new you keep hearing about but haven't had the chance to read .. until now. For example, for me that choice would include The Body Book by Cameron Diaz, The Fault in our Stars by John Green or The Orenda by Joesph Boyden.

An Anthology of Short Stories

Short stories are an under appreciated art form. I recently re-discovered the joy of reading short stories and think that they make the perfect literary companion during a busy time in your travels. You can read the entire story in one sitting (or two) and don't have to worry about keeping track of a longer more complex novel but still gain that literary merit of a good book. My personal recommendation is anything by Alice Munro, I cannot wait to get my hands on Dear Life.

Source: NPR

A Book Set in your Destination

Thanks to Trip Fiction (@tripfiction) for this awesome idea! As I've already said, for my friend there is Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I haven't read anything else set in Bali however widely recommend on the internet was Inspector Singh Investigates a Bali Conspiracy Most Foul by Shamini Flint and Love and Death in Bali by Vicki Baum. Check out Trip Fiction on Twitter for more ideas!

No matter what she brings, I know she will have a fabulous  time in Bali! What a perfect end to the relentlessly dreary winter we've had!

Source:Excellent Bali Tour

Source: The Perfect Girls Trip

Source: Bali Bike Trips

How do you select your travel reads? What would you recommend? Tweet us @jemcolborne with your thoughts and ideas! We love to hear from you.

DIY Inspiration: Recycled Book & Print Projets

Help us decide what to do with books we are looking to upcycle! We will post a DIY depending on what DIY you want to see on the blog! 

 

As literature-loving, generally bookish folk we frown upon ruining a perfectly good book. We hoard books in our home libraries like the Kardashian sisters hoard Louboutins. It’s  a wonderful obsession to have (both books and shoes, really). When we did our book clutch tutorial we saved the inside pages of the books we re-purposed and popped them on our bookshelves for later enjoyment. We put pretty paper over the books we re-purposed then but you may not even have to go to that extreme! Luckily for us, exposed spines are super chic right now à la Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware:

Books with Exposed Spines For Sale on Etsy

Do you remember the Lauren Conrad/Lemony Snicket fiasco? She “re-purposed” his books into a storage container which she coined the “Bookshelf Box” and he was not pleased. Snicket, in typical Snicket fashion, commented: "it has always been my belief that people who spend too much time with my work end up as lost souls, drained of reason, who lead lives of raving emptiness and occasional lunatic violence. What a relief it is to see this documented" (Oh No They Didnt). The video tutorial was deleted by Conrad without comment. It's unfortunate because Conrad is actually a literature lover herself who runs an online book club, has written her own fiction and posts other fun bookshelf DIYs like this one: "Operation Organize: Get Colour Coded".

Photo from Gawker

Mandatory Book Loving Disclaimer: I would never destroy a book that could still be read. Books are my most cherished possessions. I respect the written word and I respect the process that goes into writing a book. Destroying any book is not something to take lightly. However, if a book is falling apart, un-readable or headed for the trash I think it then becomes okay to use the pages for DIY purposes. Instead of being thrown out, shredded or recycled the book continues to live on and remind us of it's former glory. Here at WTD were recently given a set of books that were destined for the recycling bin. The subject matter is now obsolete and they can’t really be donated anywhere because of it. In this case, we feel that it’s okay to re-use the books for a DIY project. 

 

What books should you use for your upcoming DIY project? Text books are a great example; in any field where information is constantly changing and quickly becomes outdated a 500 page textbook (that cost you hundreds at the campus bookstore) quickly become worthless and inaccurate and therefore no longer valid. One of my friends once moved into a house at University that had a closet FULL of outdated text books from previous tenants that the used book store had no interest in purchasing. The cycle is shamefully wasteful and creates a heck of a lot of book garbage. So why not re-purpose them into something for the home? As literature lovers what is better than being surrounded by books? Another great source of print for DIYs is magazines and newspapers which are truly only meant to be read once and get recycled every day. The pages can LOOK like book pages without forcing you to ruin a book.

Here are JEM's favourite book DIYS from Pinterest. Help us decide which one to try by telling us your favourite in the comments below!

Mason Jar 

JEM's Pinterest

 The mason jar heart book candle has been floating around Pinterest since I first started pinning. The project does raise some questions though: how to get the page to reach around the jar horizontally...how not to light the page on fire... details I'm sure we could figure out if you chose this DIY as "THE ONE".

The Book Monograph

JEM's Pinterest

So this DIY makes it pretty obvious that you destoyed a book but it also looks pretty awesome! You might spend a lot of time with your scissors on this DIY project... that's a lot of pages to cut through!

The Book Planter

 

Source: http://petiteplanet.blogspot.ca/2011/02/book-planters.html

JEM's Pinterest

I like books & I like plants so why not combine the two? The logistics of this one seem like they could get tricky... questions arise like how to conquer drainage and avoid mustiness? If you check out the second picture on our Pinterest (click-through link) there is a HGTV how-to which we would consult.

The Other Book Planter

JEM's Pinterest

This one is my favourite so far. I love the different coloured pages. You could recycle a book AND an ugly plastic planter... upcyling rocks!

The Book Headboard

JEM'S Pinterrst

DIY headboards are all the rage on Pinterest right now and I especially like this bookish one. If you can't sleep the book is already open for you ;)

Painted Books

JEM's Pinterest

Who knew painted books could be so chic? I love that they preserve the book but hide ugly or tattered covers.

Framed Books

JEM's Pinterest

 If you're like us you're proud of your books! Why not show them off in style? Create a book gallery wall OR simply incorporate a few of your favourite titles into your already existing picture gallery.

So what do you think? What DIY would you like us to do? Comment or tweet us @jemcolborne.

Orange really IS the new black (minor spoiler warning)

This autumn I, like millions of other people, binge-watched Netflix's hit new series Orange is the new Black. I love it.  Some of my friends hate it; I still don't understand why. This show is just so miraculous on so many levels: it sends me on a roller-coaster of emotions-- and I love when an artist (in any medium) can make me feel. And this show so celebrates women: all types of women, different races and sizes and sexualities, their flaws and their survival skills, their incredible ability to bear suffering.

But at the end of the season, which, if you haven't seen it, is pretty scary and horrifying and violent, I HAD to know: is this real? Do prisons in the US actually work like that? Because what the show depicts in microscopic detail is corruption on a level so deep, it's a wonder the country even holds together.
Now, I have the memory of a goldfish, so it was a complete surprise to me when my mother-in-law gave me the book (same title as the show) for Christmas.  It's a slim paperback (just 299 pages including the afterword.) And it's a fast-paced read that I careened through. Couldn't. Put. It. Down.

the book cover.

Piper Kerman (the author, upon whom the main character of the TV series, Piper Chapman, is based) ends up spending 13 months of a 15 month sentence in a women's prison 10 years after her non-violent drug crime. In that time, she experience degradation, the ineffectuality and indifference of institutions, and of course, powerful doses of love, support, ingenuity, friendship and camaraderie of a motley crew of people brought together in dire circumstances.  But the book is rather light on some of the show's juiciest details: one guard's intense homophobia (specifically against lesbians), one warden's downright criminal running of the prison (from the hint that she stole prison budget for her fancy car to threatening colleagues to covering up a rape), and Piper's affair with her ex-lover, (Nora in the book, Alex in the show). Plus, the lecherous and "rapey" guard Mendez.
If the book's silence on these issues is to be believed, then Netflix is just taking creative license; and there's nothing wrong with that. But Kerman is an advisor on the show's writing team. I have to wonder if she kept some stuff out of the book and is revealing it to the writers.

Taylor Schilling (right) who depicts Piper Kerman (left)

I have to say, OITNB was a bit of a harrowing read. Kerman writes well, but the stuff she relates is hard enough to bear, even without Netflix's lurid additions. I was thrilled and relieved every time I would reach a chapter I'd seen in the show and it turned out actually "easier" than what I'd viewed.
The biggest difference is that Kerman writes in this mature, Zen voice and doesn't make the mistakes her TV counterpart makes-- and nor are the people surrounding her as exaggerated. The show tries to elicit debate about the heroine's merits: she is accused of being selfish, flighty, changeable and whiny. Kerman gets no such abuse and doesn't appear to deserve it. Whether that is the way "things actually went down" or whether Kerman is painting herself in a flattering light and TV writers had to "dress her down", I don't know.
But in both forms, what draws me to this saga is the fantastic depiction of female relationships; they ring so true to me. Watching and reading OITNB is like looking out a dark lake on an overcast day: the water is black and frightening. But every now and then, the sun bursts through the clouds in a tiny ray, and the water flashes blinding gold. Those are the gems, the tiny moments of female companionship that are so moving, so true to life, and so precious.

Such a large female cast- it's fab!

A Book Buying Guide for the Bookworms (and maybe even some Non-Bookish Folk) on your List this Holiday Season

Further to our gift card discussion, I thought I'd post a book buying guide for the fast-approaching holiday season. I personally love receiving books as gifts but for some reason I rarely get them in return! You'd think as an English major and bookish nerd people would automatically get me books but perhaps because I've read a lot of books they shy away from choosing one for me? In my opinion, there is nothing more personal than choosing a book for a loved one. If you don't know where to start - start here! Remember, there's this magical thing called a GIFT RECEIPT that you can stick in the cover of the book to ensure that if they have read it they can return the gift and choose something they haven't. I usually wait and confirm that the receiver hasn't read the book before writing a personal inscription in the cover.  The most recent book I received as a gift was Mindy Kaling's Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns). I loved this present as I would never have bought it myself but thoroughly enjoyed it and gained a newfound appreciation for Mindy Kaling (I was a clueless Office lover who didn't know she was a major writing force). The book isn't on my list but does come highly recommended, especially for a young woman or aspiring writer of any kind. Kaling is a talented, funny and, despite the title, confident woman to learn from and look up to!

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?

Here at WTD we like to support local bookshops and booksellers but in the guide I have posted images and links to Chapters/Indigo for your reference and discretion.

1.) For a Friend in a Rut – The  Glass Castle – Jeanette Walls

The Glass Castle

If you haven’t read the blog article I wrote after hearing author Jeanette Walls speak at a literary event, read it here. I am a huge fan of her work and my appreciation for The Glass Castle doubled, no, quadrupled after having the chance to meet her in person.  The Glass Castle  is the perfect book for a friend who is in a rut, as many of us twenty-somethings are, because it puts life into perspective while simultaneously providing an unapologetic sense of hope for the future.  Hope is important for many of us right now and this book is also funny, touching and thought provoking.

2.) For your Mother-in-Law – The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society – Mary Ann Shaffer

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Have you read it? It’s great! I stole it off my mom’s shelf expecting something completely different based solely on my impression of the title but it’s a rich and rewarding read written in the epistolary form that has an upbeat sensibility that I appreciate in literature. Goodreads: “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society—born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island—boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all. Juliet [the protagonist] begins a remarkable correspondence with the society’s members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever”. Some reader reviewers on Good Reads find it a little hokey but I truly enjoyed the wholesome, good-feeling vibes Shaffer puts into her writing. In my opinion, it’s a perfect read for your MIL.

3.) For your Literary Friend – Half-Blood Blues - Esi Edugyan

Half Blood Blues

I realize that because this selection is for your literary friend they may have read this book, but if they’re a literary friend they’ve probably read a lot of books. It’s going to be kind of  a shot in the dark to choose something for them no matter what. When in doubt, scan their bookshelves next time you’re over and looking for missing titles. Interestingly, despite its widespread acclaim I’d say that Half-Blood Blues is a novel many of my literary friends haven’t read – and should! This book changed the way I read. It immediately became one of my all times favourites. Edugyan surprised me in many ways and Half-Blood Blues turned into a story I wasn’t expecting and, interestingly, needed to read at the time. Half-Blood Blues reveals a side of war I hadn’t experienced in history or literature and it entranced and enveloped me. Good Reads puts it beautifully: “the best-selling, award-winning Half-Blood Blues is an entrancing, electric story about jazz, race, love and loyalty, and the sacrifices we ask of ourselves, and demand of others, in the name of art”.

4.) For your Eccentrically Eclectic Friend - The Door – Margaret Atwood

The Door

Unfortunately, you can’t give poetry to just anyone in this day and age, but hopefully, like me, you have a friend that truly appreciates the poetic side of life. If they have an appreciation of poetry or Atwood The Door will be an excellent choice. Atwood turned me on to poetry in grade twelve with her poem You Fit into Me (if you haven’t read it – go read it right now) and I’ve loved her poetry (and poetry in general) ever since. I studied The Door in a seminar class with Dionne Brand (get jealous and stay that way – it was a life changing semester) and I highly recommend the collection. As Good Reads explains, The Door: “investigate[s] the mysterious writing of poetry itself, as well as the passage of time and our shared sense of mortality”. As I said, choose the receiver of this gift wisely and it could be the perfect present.

5.) For your Dad – In the Skin of a Lion – Michael Ondaatje 
 

In The Skin of a Lion

My dad’s a reader, but I challenge you to try this book out on yours even if he isn’t. Ondaatje is a true wordsmith and In the Skin of a Lion is enchanting because of the effortless use of storytelling and language.  In the Skin of a Lion is a captivating read because of Ondaatje's use of poetic language and the way the text compels the reader to “figure it out” from the very beginning. In The Skin of a Lion explains Toronto's unspoken past and combines history, mystery and adventure to explore the sinister underside involved in building Canada’s biggest city in the 1920s.  

6.) For Your Aunt or Uncle that you simply can’t Shop For – The Shipping News – Annie Proulx

The Shipping News begins with the slowly imploding life of Quoyle a newspaper press room worker from New York State who relocates to his ancestral home on the coast of Newfoundland with his two daughters after being deserted by his ex-wife Petal. The family’s relocation is the beginning of a mid-life turnaround that allows Quoyle to find his place in the world and what Goodreads calls his “struggle to reclaim his life”. I absolutely love books set on the coast and The Shipping News is possibly the best. A guaranteed crowd pleasing read for any family member you simply can’t shop for.

7.) For your Mom – Latitudes of Melt – Joan Clark

Latitudes of Melt

Okay, now I’m on a Newfoundland kick. Latitudes of Melt is one of my mom’s favourite "finds" aka she found in in my bookshelf. I studied this book in a Can lit course during my Undergrad. Written by the author of An Audience of Chairs, Latitudes of Melt is a mom-pleasing, character driven story about a baby, later re-named Aurora, who is found floating off the coast of Newfoundland after the Titanic sinks. She is adopted and raised by a family in Newfoundland and later raises her own family there. The book explores her entire life until old age when she is finally convinced that she should explore her origins and find out where she came from.

8.) For your Brother or Brother in Law – Homage to Catalonia – George Orwell

Homage to Catalonia

The only book my brother has ever read is 1984. Okay, that’s probably not true but it is the only book he has ever liked, and he only read it because his high school curriculum made him. My parents had two children and our strengths are literally split down the middle; I am an English major who loves reading, writing, art, yoga, animals and nature and my brother in an Engineer who excels in science and math and plays sports… for fun (if you can believe that). I have chosen Homage to Catalonia because of my brother’s lack luster reading resume (his only weak resume, I might add, the kid is a genius). He liked Orwell, I think, because Orwell catches readers off guard and captures their interest before they have a chance to put the book down. Even most non-readers have gotten through Animal Farm and have had to stop and think about it. That’s a pretty amazing feat considering Animal Farm is often read around grade ten when boys are possibly at their most boy-ish. Homage to Catalonia is a lesser known Orwell which depicts his experience in the Spanish Civil War where he served on the Aragon front for a hundred and fifteen days and was at one point shot through the throat in battle. In typical Orwell fashion he replies to the people who said he was the “lucky man to have survived being shot in the throat” that it would be “luckier not to have been shot at all”. This book is rich in history, and although it doesn’t showcase typical wartime action, the politics and strife are evident on every page and I promise the reader will learn a lot (I did!).  

9.) For your Friend who has Read All the Classics – Wide Sargasso Sea – Jean Rhys 

Wide Sargasso Sea

Give this book to someone who has read the classics, loves the Brontës and Austen, but also appreciates good contemporary fiction (like us!). Don’t give this book to a classics-snob (I’ve met several of them – it’s not attractive – why are they your friend, anyway?) because they will be an asshole about it. I re-read Jane Eyre before embarking on Wide Sargasso Sea and I loved the entire experience! It gave me a chance to re-fresh on one of my top-five favourite Classics of all time and gave me a breath of fresh air and a new perspective on the story. Rhys explores Antoinette Bertha Cosway, Mr. Rochester’s mysterious captive and “madwoman” in Jane Eyre and crafts a unique and compelling tale set in 1830s Jamaica.

10.) For Anyone - Longbourn - Jo Baker 

Longbourn

I admit, I haven't read Longbourn (yet) but I have already given it to one my best friends. It sounds wonderful, someone described it to be Downton Abbey-esque, so of course I know I'm going to like it. Like Wide Sargasso Sea Longbourn plays with the beloved, tried and true story of Pride and Prejudice. I recommend reading Pride and Prejudice first to refresh, just like I did with Wide Sargasso Sea. In fact, why not give P&P and Longbourn as a gift set? I'm going to go put Longbourn on my wish list now!

In closing, I urge you to give at least one book this holiday season! Use this book buying guide or think up your own (and if you do, make sure to share it with me!). Either way, I know that any book lover and maybe even the oddly non-bookish folk  in your life will appreciate the gesture and maybe even learn something new this holiday season!

Gotta book it,

JEM