While talking with a friend I realized that one common item we all can agree is necessary on a trip is a good book. On my last trip to Kenya my book of choice was The Alchemist by Paulo Cuelho. This time my friend recommended that I read the 7 Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra.
What are some books that you found a must to take on your last trip?
i finished "the road less traveled" by scott peck while in south africa. it changed my life. i highly recommend it. it is def not beach reading so be prepared to do some soul searching.
ReplyDeleteMoonlight on the Avenue of Faith by Gina B Nahai. Finished it in three days. That's the hard part, finding a good book means I devour it like chocolate, then I'm starving for months before finding another one. If friends ask what going away present you want, tell'em a gift card to Amazon.com so you can by books!
ReplyDeleteCurrently I have been reading a lot of books by Chinua Achebe. I am currently reading Morning Yet on Creation Day, a more a academic book that discuss the legitimacy of European critiques of African novelist. It questions what it means to be an African novelist and how African Literature is defined both by Africans and Europeans.
ReplyDeleteThis book is very thought provoking and, from my own experience, stirs very passionate debates between friends.
Other books that I think are great to read while traveling are...
Desert Flower by Waris Dirie: An auto biography of Female Genital Mutulation
Forest Gate by Peter Akinti: Set in the slums of London the life of a Somalian refugee.
Ngozi Adichie, An African novelist who has written many wonderful books including Purple Hibiscus.
I enjoy reading books by African artist while traveling as their references to their home and country always brings me a bit of nostalgia for my childhood living in West Africa.
Thanks Work-in-Progress. I think books and podcast are great presents to request. are you finding it hard to get books in English there in S. Korea?
ReplyDeleteThere a bookstore in Seoul but of course the prices are higher, even for used. As a reader, this is the greatest challenge while here. I have to slow down my reading considerably so I don't run out of things to read to fast!
ReplyDeleteI'm told that you can buy any book printed in English as a copy (pirated) on the underground market. "Knock offs" of fashion and other things that can be copied cheaply are ways to save money...or were some time ago.
ReplyDeleteGood to know you are well and functioning. Erica's blog is full of videos and photos. I'm impressed. She and Rio seem to be making some real headway at adapting to life there.
Still, Abba Amishoov