READING TIPS

Stories You Shouldn’t Miss — Volume VI

August edition of my favorite reads

It’s been a few months now since I began to share my own curated reading list of stories I selected as outstanding and worth a mention. I wasn’t sure if people actually read the pieces I selected or if they just skimmed through my recommendations but on last month’s piece, I received some feedback that made me smile.

“Thank you so much for including my story about the Sossusvlei Anne! It made a bigger difference than you might expect.” — Catherine Duchesne

I’m happy to hear the mention of a story in my curated list makes a difference in this writer’s views and engagement. And after reading such lovely feedback, I was right back to it.

Please take your time and read through this list of articles as all the following authors have created something special below.

Jody went to Ghana a few years back for some work with and research on refugee camps. The moments and experiences she describes are so foreign for many but reminded me of my own time in the country.

“This family had a toddler who took one look at me and began to scream uncontrollably. He had never seen a white person before. I’m sure I looked like a monster to him.” — Jody Lynn McBrien

Sara is traveling through regions and corners of the world many would avoid at all costs. But thanks to her curiosity and open mindset, she experiences those places in a very authentic way. Of course, not every day on the road is the best of your life but she’s not getting pulled down so easily.

I love following her around listening to everyday struggles and joys of a life abroad.

“I looked out the window as we dodged the cows in the road, and eventually, we were dropped off at the dark and eery Anaklia, next to the Casino. Which I believe is also abandoned.” — Sara Burdick

We’ve had many writers share their adventurous trips to Iceland before and never before have I been so keen on visiting the island. Jane even went over the top with her experience of a hut-to-hut hike in this unique country.

Her narrative is compelling, her thoughts intriguing and her lessons thought-provoking. I can only recommend you give this piece a read.

“Nothing matters in a universe of vast openness. Least of all “stuff” as long as it provides warmth and protection from wind and rain.” — Jane Trombley

Yvette talks about a side of traveling many don’t know about until it happens to them. Reverse culture shock is something I have experienced as well and do understand her all too well.

Her description and explanation of the phenomenon are very accurate and the lessons she learned through the process are very interesting to follow.

“The stages of a reverse culture shock can be very confusing, and it does take quite some time to adjust to your own country again. Or if you’re like me, you can never fit in anymore.” — Yvette Brand

He’s simply a great writer and even with a hangover in tow, Ryan got me laughing with his latest travel piece sharing an adventure at sea. But the story isn’t just about sailing. It’s about saying yes or no and why he’s so happy he agreed to go on this adventure.

“Craggy cliffs, jagged islands, and crumbling sea stacks rose up from the water, and Prems chugged slowly through it all while Ben sweated out last night’s overindulgence. He stood on the deck, re-coiling a rope that I had wound up wrong somehow, looking out to a fogbank on the far horizon.” — Ryan Frawley

I can’t get around without sharing this story of Tim as he not only presents a beautiful corner of this world but also puts light onto what tourism does to certain areas and landscapes in general.

He’s currently traveling through New Zealand exploring every corner of the country all while taking outstanding photographs and noting down his feelings and thoughts.

“These mountains trap the hot, moist air blowing over the Tasman Sea from Australia, creating rainforests on the hills, and snowfields on the peaks.” — Tim Ward, Mature Flâneur

And to talk about something else than travel, I selected Wahyuni Sapri’s story on why she quit following the news. Her analysis of what effect the consumption of all those negative stories had on her health and what alternative she found for herself to stay sane is a very interesting read.

“Since COVID-19 came into the picture, I started realizing how news was getting to me. Especially during the worst of it in 2020, it felt like every day I was bombarded with news about people dying, and it really got me worried all the time.” — Wahyuni Sapri

This was it for today. Thank you for following along.

And in case you missed last month’s selection, here is the link:

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