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.

Book Review: The Rosie Project

WTD Rating: 3.5 stars
Quick Advice: An easy and enjoyable read despite a problematic characterization of an individual with Asberger's Syndrome.
Warning: Mild Plot Spoilers (AKA I discuss a few events in the book without ruining the ending)

The Rosie Project
Source: chrisbookarama

I feel like I heard so much about Graeme Simsion’s debut novel The Rosie Project this summer. I bought Where’d You Go Bernadette for a girlfriend’s birthday and the cashier said upon seeing my selection “have you read The Rosie Project? I think you’d like it too!” Ever since then I've been wanting to read it! I bought The Rosie Project for my mom for Christmas who read it with her book club and passed it on to me last week. At the same time she also gave me The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared. When I asked her which to read first she said “The Rosie Project is an easy read but I have to say I preferred The 100 Year Old Man”. She didn’t elaborate but my hunch is that being a retired social work professor her reaction to The Rosie Project may be in part due to what I noted as a highly problematic oversimplification of an individual with Asperger’s syndrome. 

Love this hardcover copy of the book!
Source: tea-drinkingbookloverdiary

It seems readers either loved or hated this book but the vast majority of Goodreads readers seemed to love it! Reactions range from overwhelming admiration to shameful disgust in regards to how Simsion characterized the protagonist Professor Don Tillman. Don is a Professor, researcher, excellent cook, enthusiastic drinker and karate blackbelt who lives by a strict, unflinching schedule until he realizes its time to find himself a wife and thus begins The Wife Project and the total upheaval of his structured, predictable life.

Don is an indivudual who is living with Asperger’s syndrome. I don’t have a comprehensive understanding of Asperger’s syndrome however a google search of legitimate sources explains that it is an “autism spectrum disorder (ASD) considered to be on the “high functioning” end of the spectrum” (Austism Speaks). The Mayo Clinic (a great go-to medical source) states “Asperger's syndrome is a developmental disorder that affects a person's ability to socialize and communicate effectively with others” (The Mayo Clinic). Asperger’s is a neurological condition that is more common in males and is regarded as a developmental disorder. According to Behaviour Consultant, "idiosyncratic interests are common and may take the form of an unusual and/or highly circumscribed interest (e.g., in train schedules, snakes, the weather, deep-fry cookers, or telegraph pole insulators)" (Behaviour Consultant).  Simsion certainly integrates the social behaviours and the idiosyncratic interests into Don's character in The Rosie Project.

Don is never diagnosed with Asperger’s and never self-identifies as having the syndrome in The Rosie Project. However, Asperger’s comes up frequently in the text through Don’s research in genetics. When he finishes a presentation on Asperger’s in the beginning of the text the facilitator says pointedly to him: “remind you of anyone?”. Late in the text he does list his symptoms without coming to any concrete conclusions; he actually uses his symptoms as a method of analyzing what he needs to change in order to “get the girl”. This approach was really disappointing to me as a reader. Instead of having to change to find love I wish Don could have found love as himself. He accepts and loves Rosie despite being unsuitable for The Wife Project however he realizes that he will never be suitable to a woman without purposefully altering his social behaviour. 

Simsion’s explains his characterization of Don in an interview stating: “I didn’t want Don to be a syndrome. I wanted a living, walking character” (Library Journal).  The NY Times review states that Simsion “reminds us that people who are neurologically atypical have many of the same concerns as the rest of us: companionship, ethics, alcohol” (The New York Times). Obviously, my interpretation is completely opposite to that of Simsion and the NY Times. Where they see a normalization humanization of an "atypical" human being I see an author using stereotypical behaviour before manipulating and changing a character for the end result: love.

The Goodreads synopsis calls The Rosie Project “an international sensation, this hilarious, feel-good novel is narrated by an oddly charming and socially challenged genetics professor” (Goodreads). Truthfully, I can’t say I “felt good” after finishing it; I felt unsatisfied. Even the use of the descriptor “oddly charming” is a problematic to me. Why do we need to use language like "odd"? Instead of breaking down barriers and raising awareness Simsion deeks, ducks and avoids the critical issues raised by the book. After the first chapter I said to my boyfriend, Don is Sheldon Cooper from the Big Bang Theory. Think about it: ShelDON. We find his quirks and personality traits “funny” and laugh at him when he makes inappropriate comments in public or has a chair or spot he has to sit in. Both characters are  “weird” and unfortunately society likes to laugh at weirdness instead of trying to accept and understand. Don Tillman is the literary Sheldon Cooper who studies genetics instead of Physics and makes his own food on a strict weekly schedule instead of eating pre-determined takeout.  All I can hear in my head now is Sheldon's vhoice exclaming "on Friday nights we eat Chinese food!"

Don's Sexy Literary Look-a-Like Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck)

Despite the problematic portrayal of the main character I have to say The Rosie Project can be very endearing at times. For a novel that was supposed to be a screenplay and was written in only four weeks Simsion accomplishes a lot. The book is wildly popular and is making its rounds throughout the world. The three focal projects: The Wife Project, The Father Project and The Rosie Project are all entertaining and I thorougly enjoyed the simple structure of the book. On the surface, The Rosie Project is an easy and enjoyable read. I liked the chemistry between Don and Rosie and the adventures they experience together are funny and charming. I felt a fondness and appreciation for Don and they way he lives his life. I don’t discourage you from reading the book I simply want to re-enforce what I always enforce as an English major; read critically and always ask questions! 

PS: If you loved The Rosie Project comment or tweet us! We love a good book discussion and welcome your thoughts and feedback.

Book Review: To Whisper Her Name - Tamera Alexander

Source: Goodreads

To Whisper Her Name is a historical romance set in the South after the Civil War on a Thoroughbred breeding facility and plantation in Nashville, Tennessee. My cousin visited Belle Meade this summer while on vacation in Nashville and purchased the book as a Christmas gift for me. Her photos of the house and surrounding buildings are absolutely breathtaking and a total horse-lovers dream so I was curious to what a writer would do with a story about the place.

Before reading To Whisper Her Name I had a somewhat patchy understanding of the American Civil War. While I have studied Canadian-American history I have never had the opportunity to take any American history classes during my Academic career. The text is an excellent source for understanding the tension and the politics of the time and Alexander provides an insight into history that is reflective and thought provoking. She does an excellent job of representing the thoughts and opinions of all characters through description and dialogue. Topics including race, religion, gender roles, class status and history are all tackled effortlessly by the text.

The protagonist, Olivia Aberdeen, is the widow of a cruel and vastly disliked man who was brutally murdered by his his fellow townspeople after the war. With nothing left to her name Olivia is shunned from society and moves to Belle Meade where her Aunt and Uncle provide her with a safe place to stay. In exchange, Olivia is required to be the companion to her beloved Aunt who, as she learns upon her arrival, is dying.  Ridley Cooper, Olivia’s ruggedly handsome love interest, finds his way to Belle Meade in search of a former slave he met during the war. Cooper fought on the “wrong" side of the war (Union) and has to keep his identity a secret from the plantation owner and passionate Southerner Mr. Harding. Robert Green, the former slave, is perhaps the most intriguing character in the text. In the Afterword Alexander admits to falling slightly in love with Green while writing the text and I have to say so did I. Also known as Uncle Bob, the head-horse trainer and real-life horse-whisperer is still renowned for his amazing gift with horses today. As an equestrian, some of  my favourite passages were those that depicted Mr. Green’s philosophies and training techniques as he tries to teach impatient Cooper to work with horses.

Robert "Uncle Bob" Green
Source: Wikipedia

Despite a few cringe-worthy metaphors and never-ending descriptions, the book managed to capture my attention and I have to admit it was a nice change of pace from what I’ve been reading lately. Alexander’s characters are endearing and she manages to weave several captivating sub-plots and minor characters into what could have been a bland read as we wait for the romance between Olivia and Ridley to blossom. Despite their slow-starting, sometimes irritating romance, both hero and heroine have other (more interesting) adventures during their respective stays at Belle Meade. Olivia obtains a paid position at the plantation, teaches at a freedman school, fosters strong relationships with her Aunt, Uncle and cousins and learns about alternative medicine. Ridley desires to learn everything he can from Bob Green before moving West and devotes himself to working with horses. Ridley is well-liked by Mr. Harding for his strong spirit and is soon promoted to Foreman for his hard work and dedication.

Interestingly, Olivia is the only character in To Whisper Her Name that is hard to like; she has several character flaws which I thought would be overcome and resolved but they never are. These include a fear of horses which is mediated upon to a tiresome degree, an overly formal method of speaking and acting and a refusal to let the past go. Perhaps, hopefully, this character will experience some personal growth in the second book in the series.

At just over 430 pages, To Whisper Her Name is a long read and sometimes feels as though it simply won’t end. Luckily, I was on the beach in Cuba and so I was able to get through it quite quickly and with little distraction. I may not have enjoyed it as much otherwise but with the sun and ocean before me I was quite content with the storyline and grew fond of the characters and rich history. If historical romance is your favourite genre I highly recommend the text and if it’s not I would say it’s still a contender for a vacation read as it provides interesting insight into a very specific period of American history.

Alexander’s website has several videos that offer further insight into Belle Meade and the historical characters including the romantic hero and heroine, head hostler and the role Belle Meade had in the development of Thoroughbred history. There is also a .pdf excerpt from the book for you to browse through if you’re not sure whether or not To Whisper Her Name is for you.. I have to admit I'm looking forward to book two which is due to come out in early 2014!

Belle Meade
Source: Architecture

Tamera Alexander's website: http://www.tameraalexander.com/bellemeadeplantationnovels.html

Belle Meade Plantation website: http://bellemeadeplantation.com/

The 10 Best Literary Christmas Quotations (According to Us)

There is nothing better than reading about Christmas in your favourite literature! A truly good book can get you in the mood for December even on a sunny August afternoon. So sit back, relax and take in my list of the ten best literary chrsitmas quotes. Don't agree? Repond with your favourite quotations in the comments!

Source: We Heart It

A special thank you to Goodreads and Google which made compiling this list of quotations ridiculously easy on this snowy December morning!

10.)

Source: School Library Journal

“Always winter but never Christmas.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

9.)

Source: byubookstore

 “I mean the baronet and the rector, not our brothers—but the former, who hate each other all the year round, become quite loving at Christmas.”
― William Makepeace Thackeray, Vanity Fair

8.)

Source: Wikipedia

“Mistletoe," said Luna dreamily, pointing at a large clump of white berries placed almost over Harry's head. He jumped out from under it. "Good thinking," said Luna seriously. "It's often infested with nargles.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 

7.) 

“I sincerely hope your Christmas in Hertfordshire may abound in the gaieties which that season generally brings, and that your beaux will be so numerous as to prevent your feeling the loss of the three of whom we shall deprive you.”
― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

 

6.)

 “CALVIN: This whole Santa Claus thing just doesn't make sense. Why all the secrecy? Why all the mystery? If the guy exists why doesn't he ever show himself and prove it? And if he doesn't exist what's the meaning of all this? HOBBES: I dunno. Isn't this a religious holiday?
CALVIN: Yeah, but actually, I've got the same questions about God.”
― Bill Watterson

5.) 

Source: The Literary Snob

“But at Christmas he had returned to Minneapolis, tight-lipped and strangely jubilant.”

― F. Scott Fitzgerald, This Side of Paradise

4.)

Source: Page Pulp

“He went to the church, and walked about the streets, and watched the people hurrying to and for, and patted the children on the head, and questioned beggars, and looked down into the kitchens of homes, and up to the windows, and found that everything could yield him pleasure. He had never dreamed of any walk, that anything, could give him so much happiness.”
― Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

 3.)

Source: MsJacoby

“At one time, most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed, it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound. Though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe.”
― Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express

2.)

“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!”
― Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

1.)

Source: Wikipedia

“One can never have enough socks," said Dumbledore. "Another Christmas has come and gone and I didn't get a single pair. People will insist on giving me books.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Because in our hearts, here at WTD, Dumbledore is always number one! Hope you all have a lovely day and get to play in the snow!