I read a lot of books.

It’s rare that I have less than three going at a time. People sometimes ask how I find time to read, but for me, it’s not a question of finding time to, I have to read, in order to keep breathing. I would never have survived the intellectual doldrums of early motherhood without my books! I read for my own education, for enrichment, for the challenge of continuing to think deeply, and for fun.

A few years ago, I came across a book that I chewed through over a weekend and found a mirror for my own life and values: Vagabonding, by Rolf Potts, encapsulates so much of my philosophy on life and travel in a beautifully reflective and elegantly written pocket sized book. At the time, I had no idea who Rolf was, but I found kinship in his writing; since then, I’ve found that our circles intersect in lots of places and he’s become a likeminded ally in the travel community. I’m delighted to fill the Tuesday at noon slot on his every popular Vagabonding blog.

If you are interested in thinking “beyond tourism” about travel and examining the ways that travel changes a person and changes the world, you’ll want to read Rolf’s books. In fact, I’d have to say that Vagabonding is my first pick for people who ask me what to read about independent travel. His second book, Marco Polo Didn’t Go There, is a collection of travel essays that is well worth a read, especially if you’re working on developing your own travel writing (which I always am!)

Thanks Rolf, for generously donating a copy of each for our Birthday Party Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway