I am preparing my last article about Strasbourg, where I am writing about the accommodation and the restaurants where I have been and where I had a very good experience. I am reading my notes, but before I thought to share something that I prepared before. I want to share with you some titles of the book that I have read about travels. Well, these books helped me a lot in my learning process, especially making a connection between life and travels.
The first one is “On the road” written by Jack Kerouac. The famous writer propose a novel about his trip around the USA, made together with his friend Neal Cassady. It was published in the ’50s, so everything goes around the Beat Generation, but also reading it now it has a lot of sense because the story is a travel around the big American spaces moving between the West and the East Coast, but also into the society to explore the values, the strengths and the weaknesses of the American community. There is the real essence of the journey.
Another great book that mixes the travel around a country and a trip into the society is “Notes from a Small Island” written by Bill Bryson. It describes a journey around Britain telling the main features of the modern community of the UK. There are nostalgia, humor and also a precise analysis regarding the inhabitants’ habits and way of life. It underlines how important is to catch the culture and be in touch with the population to know the country visited.
A few years ago I missed the chance to go to Barcelona and I have to visit it yet, the city is on my future destinations list, but meanwhile, I decided to read “Homage to Catalonia“. The author is George Orwell and it is a book that includes some history and it is focused on the role played by Orwell during the Spanish Civil War. There is a good description of the relations between Great Britain and Spain and as well of the local population. To know the history of a place helps to understand better the society and the country.
This choice is even more personal than the previous ones because I am fascinated by the Middle East and one of my dreams, that will become reality one day, is to travel on the Orient Express. Anyway my suggestion concern “The great railway bazaar: by train through Asia” by Paul Theroux. The journey around the Middle East and Asia, starting from Europe, it is a chance to meet different passengers with a various origin and with a big variety of jobs. There are the theatrical agent and the drug dealer. Reading it is like to be on board…
The last book that I want to mention in this article is about one of my favorite cities: Venice. I love so much the Italian town built on an island because of its architecture, its art and also its particular atmosphere. Maybe you know it, but if not you can read “Venice” written by Jan Morris. It is a complete journey into the city, exploring each aspect, including the local society. It can be an inspiration for your next tour.
Enjoy the reading!
Great post
Thanks a lot!
Ever since I read the book ‘Murder on the Orient Express ‘ by Agatha Christie and watched Sean Connery’s movie by the same name,I was fascinated to travel on the Orient Express :). Thanks for sharing. It was well articulated.
My big passion is to travel, but I like to read crime stories and of course Agatha Christie is the queen. I also watched James Bond’s movies and it was really nice to follow his adventures, especially the one on Orient Express. Thanks a lot to you for the exchange, for me it is a pleasure to chiat about books and travels. You are very kind.
I shall look up the titles, ‘Venice’ and ‘Homage to Catalonia’, but the other three are among my favourites. Bryson makes me shake with mirth as he goes about his observations on Blighty and Theroux’s book makes me gape at the range of his adventures. As for Kerouac, the rebel in me finds the rhythm of his prose inspiring with his rejection of conventions.
Wow, I am discovering something more about you and maybe about your book, at least about the soul. Well, I am happy to read about your reaction to those books, because it is something that is similar to what I felt while I was reading them. Cheers, Marco
Ooh, why did I think you were a girl. Anasa had something to do with it. 🙂 Cheers!
Yes, many people thinks that, but Anasa it is a Swahili word that means pleasure and luxury. Travel is the best thing to do in life, but it is somehow a luxury. So it is not my name and since I just want to share my experience, I am using that word and not my name. I hope it is not a problem 😀 Enjoy your time!
But of course not, Marco. It is your blog. You can call yourself anything you choose. Anasa sounds lovely in the meaning that it conveys. Cheers.
Thank you dear, but of course I was not asking for the blog, just I hope the surprise was not so bad for you 🙂 See you
Not at all. Have a good weekend!
Enjoy the weekend!
Hi, lovely to have the privilege to read about your journey 🙂 Would you also provide some packing tips, also survival tips to ensure safety during travel? Thanks in advance!
Hi, thank you! I can provide some tips about it and write something more.
Very interesting …. as soon as possible I will search in the library at least one recommended book …. thank you very much and I wish you that your dream comes true ….
Multumesc mult Antonela, I am glad that you found interesting my articles. Thank you very much for your wish