Does it seem to anyone else like half of Instagram spent October traveling to exotic locales? I must admit to being a teeny bit envious, but do love living vicariously through their beautiful photo streams! In addition the flood of travel images in my Instagram stream, Tristan and I are working on editing photographs (for a very special client) filled with majestic Kenyan elephant herds, lions lazing about in savanna grasses, and intently grazing zebras. Gazing at these awe-inspiring animals from half a world away certainly sparks the imagination! While I’d love to hop on a plane tomorrow to go sip a cafe au lait in Paris or photograph an elephant in Kenya, the chances of that are slim (but not impossible – nothing’s impossible right?), so I’ve been devouring books that can take me around the world without having to pack a bag…
Paris
A man who’s closed himself off to the world faces his fears and begins to live again. Recommended to me by our friend Sanae, this is an easy, pleasant read with boats and books and a main character you can root for.
Kenya
Literary fiction chronicling the extraordinary life of Beryl Markham. This is a polymath story to sink your teeth into! I was so enamoured with this book, Tristan received a play-by-play on an almost daily basis. Perhaps I should have asked her if she wanted to read it before giving everything away….
Since I was smitten with Beryl Markham’s story, I dove into her autobiography. Given all of her other accomplishments, I was floored by her writing talents, an opinion shared by none other than Mr. Ernest Hemingway (!).
Mexico
A folk tale that takes place in a remote recovery center for disabled children may not sound like a trip you’d like to take, but the pure imagination and fluid writing style make the journey more than worthwhile!
Time Travel
The Lemoncholy Life of Annie Aster
A mystery that requires time travel to solve it sounds pretty fantastical, and it is, but the characters feel real, as does the imagery. The story won’t give you a toothache, but it’s a quick read I felt was a treat!
P.S. To get a taste for Ms. Markham this podcast will get you itching to learn more!
Miss Michelle P. is a photographer, and the co-creator of Foto Rx Premium Photoshop Actions. She lives in the Pacific Northwest. Her muse is light.
