8 Amazing New Fall Books That Could Spark Your Next Travel Adventure
If autumn isn't filled with wanderlust, immerse yourself in a captivating book. This selection of new releases highlights a century-old thrilling race, the enchanting discovery of dinosaurs, and the unique charm of a beloved bookstore. Whether you're traveling this fall or enjoying a cozy staycation, be sure to have a good book for your journey!
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Into Unknown Skies written by David K. Randall
Pay attention to the subtitle: An Unlikely Team, a Daring Race, and the First Flight Around the World. One of the major international headlines of 1924 has faded from memory like a vapor trail. Luckily, Randall has revived the story of American underdogs battling against their European counterparts to become the first to fly around the globe. He offers a captivating narrative about the obstacles of early long-haul flights and the quest to break new aviation records. After reading about the challenges of traveling in open cockpits in wooden and canvas aircraft through uncharted skies and brutal weather, you may never complain about airline service again. This race, featuring pilots from various nations, is packed with close calls. You will find yourself rooting for the unexpected victors.
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Dinosaurs at the Dinner Party authored by Edward Dolnick
No prior interest in dinosaurs is needed to appreciate this engaging history of the prehistoric creatures' “discovery” and their influence in the 19th century. The journey begins with the popular pastime of fossil hunting along the Jurassic Coast of southern England and culminates in a bizarre dinner party in London with an iguanodon. Throughout, Dolnick brings to life a colorful cast of characters, primarily scientists, with vivid descriptions. He compares Darwin’s theory of evolution to “a high-stakes game of musical chairs” while effectively illustrating the scientific and cultural upheaval sparked by fossilized bones.
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Anima: A Wild Pastoral by Kapka Kassabova
The people and landscapes of Europe depicted here are so remote that the only trails left are those of sheep and goats. Kassabova, originally from Bulgaria and now residing in Scotland, shares her experiences spent living among shepherds. Her narrative captures a nearly lost world of transhumance and the mutual reliance between unique animal breeds and the hardworking, secluded communities. Featured in this story are rare Karakachan dogs, known for guarding the flocks. As a poet, Kassabova's choice of words reflects her artistic sensibility. Throughout her exploration of this underrepresented culture, she shares insights like, “wilderness is sophisticated... It has all the components of civilization.”
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More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
This concise novel serves as a sequel to Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, also translated by Eric Ozawa. It’s no surprise that it features several familiar characters, including Satoru, the shop's proprietor. Since U.S. publishers tend to lag in translating international works, this “new” book originally hit the shelves in Japan back in 2011. More Days carries on the narrative of Takako, who assists in her uncle’s secondhand bookstore, despite her limited enthusiasm for reading. Yagisawa’s storytelling is akin to comfort food, and perhaps the highlight of these novels (which are best enjoyed sequentially) is their homage to Tokyo’s Jimbocho neighborhood, a vibrant area brimming with around 200 bookstores.
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Sharks Don’t Sink: Adventures of a Rogue Shark Scientist by Jasmin Graham
In this compelling autobiography, Graham sets out to transform the flawed systems within academia and marine science. As a Black woman in the field, she identifies with her subjects—sharks—who unfortunately carry a “super-bad reputation in popular media.” Through this memoir, she passionately advocates for the significance of diversity in both scientific endeavors and ocean ecosystems. The story opens with Graham departing from her Ph.D. program to carve her own path. As the pandemic unfolds, she co-founds Minorities in Shark Science (MISS) with three fellow female marine scientists. The alternating chapters detail her educational journey and the inaugural field season of MISS with its eager young participants. It’s a candid narrative of triumphing over challenges both on land and at sea.
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Literary Journeys edited by John McMurtrie
This beautifully illustrated collection of essays and illustrations delves into travel-themed novels, offering insights and inspiration for armchair travelers eager to venture beyond bestseller lists and popular destinations. Spanning over 30 countries, these 75+ essays examine the significance of travel in global literature. Covering works from classic to contemporary—such as Don Quixote, Dirt Music, Americanah—most selections originate from the 20th century onward. Each featured book includes real locations, hence Gulliver’s Travels is absent. Intriguing interpretations arise even from novels not typically associated with travel, like Dracula. Among timeless classics like Heart of Darkness are lesser-known gems like Journey by Moonlight, Exit West, Train to Budapest. One note: Some essays reveal far too much plot detail—consider this a spoiler alert!
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Agnes Sharp and the Trip of a Lifetime by Leonie Swan
Set against the backdrop of a classic “locked room” mystery in a hotel cut off by severe weather, this offbeat and often humorous tale involves British elders of varying detective skills. Add a clever pet boa constrictor and a host of red herrings, and you have the intriguing premise of Leonie Swann’s mystery. You likely won’t predict who is behind the mysterious deaths of several guests at this upscale eco-friendly hotel, nor will you see the motive coming. If you find this quirky group of six seniors, who turn their vacation into an investigation, delightful, be sure to check out 2023’s The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp, translated from German by Amy Bojang.
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Ike’s Road Trip by Brian C. Black
American road-trippers often take the U.S. interstate highway system for granted. Let’s delve into a bit of history: The foundation of this system traces back to 1919, when the First Transcontinental Motor Train—a convoy of over 85 U.S. Army trucks—traversed the country on largely unpaved roads to test its viability. Among the young officers on this challenging journey was none other than Ike Eisenhower. This book is filled with fascinating historical tidbits about this pioneering drive, including fierce competition for the title of the country’s worst “roads” (with Utah’s salt flats likely at the top). The evolution from rough dirt and gravel paths to President Eisenhower’s 1956 federal interstate plan is a captivating story in itself.
Evaluation :
5/5