I was about to try my hand at mountain climbing for the first time (at the very modest height of 6500m) when I stumbled across the movie Everest on Netflix. After watching it and becoming terrified, I felt I wanted to read the true story behind the 1996 disaster that took place on Mt. Everest. […]
Book Review: Arresting God in Kathmandu by Samrat Upadhyay
Arresting God in Kathmandu by Samrat Upadhyay is a collection of short stories written by the Nepali-American author about everyday life in Kathmandu. The characters are full of flaws making them relatable in a completely uncensored way. It took me a while to finish the book because I’d read one person’s story, put it down, […]
Book Review: A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout
Usually, I read travel memoirs or stories about what it was like to live in a country during a certain time period. For some reason, all of the books on my list didn’t appeal. I stumbled across A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout on a blog listing the best female travel memoirs, though […]
Book Review: What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding by Kristin Newman
I like to think of life as a highway. You drive along and when everything is going okay, you pass mile markers. Early in life they consist of things like learning to use a toilet and losing all of your baby teeth. Soon after, it’s going to prom and graduating high school. Up until that […]
Book Review: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
As some of you know, I have a never-ending list of books I’d like to read. Usually a friend recommends one, or I read about one on a travel blog. Whenever I see something interesting, I add it to the list. However, I often skip over the same book repeatedly because the small blurb on […]
Book Review: Buddha by Deepak Chopra
On my quest to learn about other cultures, I’ve become truly fascinated by Buddhism. The principles are simple and at the same time are so difficult to follow. Personally, working towards being less attached to physical items has been extremely challenging for me. After living out of a backpack for almost three months, I’m starting […]
Book Review: Holy Cow! An Indian Adventure by Sarah Macdonald
I’ve had Holy Cow! An Indian Adventure by Sarah Macdonald on my mile long list of books to read for what feels like forever. For some reason, every time I read the blurb about it, I felt disinterested. A girl goes to India, hates it, and is forced to move there with her boyfriend. Frankly, […]
Book Review: First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung
I was googling things to do in Cambodia when I came across a webpage featuring a description of what it was like to visit the killing fields while backpacking through the country. My curiosity kicked in, and I began researching the Khmer Rouge, Pol Pot, and the genocide in Cambodia. It’s a subject I’m embarrassed […]
Book Review: My Year With Eleanor by Noelle Hancock
Last month, I was visiting upstate and made plans to catch up with my childhood bestie. We grabbed coffee and walked around New Paltz while chatting about life. The topic of travel came up and the fact that I plan to hike to base camp of Everest. My friend, Danielle, mentioned a book she loved about a […]
Book Review: Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
I have a list of books on my phone that people have recommended to me. Every time I look for a new book, I scroll through the list and try to find one. Sometimes, the same book gets recommended repeatedly and finally catches my eye. Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris is one […]