Summer is drawing to a close, well, the summer of swimming pools, fireworks, barbeques and reunions. The blistering heat is still here. But the mood of summer is fading. Already it’s back-to-school-halloween-autumn in all the stores and all the travel plans are over. So every year, I fight back by embarking on a few last minute adventures from my library. I’ve compiled my favorite list of books that take me places. Now all you’ve got to decide is:
Where do you want to go?
Everywhere:
Read Travels by Michael Crichton. He ventures across the globe and into his psyche; literally everywhere. The narration mixes exotic explorations with personal discovery that makes for a seamless adventure read.
The most travelesque moment: the scuba diving section.
Travel Back in Time:
Read Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. The circus-prohibition era just oozes off the page. The unique story and memorable characters are only part of the delight as she delicately recreates this age of wonder.
The most travelesque moment: the whole damn thing.
Travel To The Future:
Read Robots of Dawn by Isaac Asimov. Asimov walks the line between accessible and realistic; diehard sci-fi fans will love it and others will not be overwhelmed by scientific jargon. He creates a world that’s futuristic enough to be new, but same enough to be familiar.
The most travelesque moment: the main character’s life within the City.
Travel to a whole new crazy place:
Read Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde. Fforde creates a chromatic society that is unexpected in a fun way. Spoons are a rare and cherished commodity, Greens don’t like Reds and no one likes Yellows and there is only one rabbit. Richly written and beautifully unique.
The most travelesque moment: the trek to a nearby uninhabited, dangerous town.
Travel to the afterlife:
Read The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. The journey from the living to the beyond is crafted with care and precision. Beautiful prose illuminates as unconscious expectations are realized; it's as if we always knew heaven would be like this.
The most travelesque moment: arriving in heaven.
So, whatever your inclination, we've got a destination.