Two Great Books to Get You Out of the Armchair & Into The World

I sometimes forget that not everyone has the love affair with travel that I do.  My new blogging pal, Josh Hanagarne, is one of those people.  He really wants to start traveling, though, and so here’s a guest post from Josh telling us about where he’s going to find his travel inspiration.

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I’m not well traveled and that’s a fact I plan on changing.  When I landed in Chicago for the first time in July of 2009, I felt like a real cosmopolite jetsetter.  I was only there for 48 hours.  But every time I go somewhere new, I’m increasingly more aware of how few things I’ve seen.

From time to time I check out a Lonely Planet book or read one of the Rough Guides.  Then I sigh and dream and…

No more!  I’ve made a goal to hit at least two countries in 2010.  These wonderful, affordable books helped me choose.  Oh, who am I kidding?  I’m a cheapskate librarian.  I checked them out at the library.

In A Sunburned Country

Most of my blogging mentors live in Australia.  But somewhere in between watching Crocodile Dundee and meeting my cyber-pals, I read Bill Bryson’s book In A Sunburned Country.

I was first exposed to Bryson by his epic tragicomedy A Walk In The Woods, about his ill fated, under prepared effort to hike the Appalachian Trail.

Sunburned feels similar, but is set in Australia and contains fewer disasters.  Bryson’s facts are funny and informative without being pedantic or condescending.  What I mean by that is: sometimes I read a travel book and feel like not only have I not been anywhere, I’m not interesting enough or smart enough or wealthy enough to travel.

But that’s my issue.  Above all, Bryson’s writing is passionate.  His love of travel is obvious and infectious.  I’m easily swayed when I hear someone rave about something.  Bill raves about Australia the way I talk about libraries and kettlebells, although he’s got a lot more skill in getting people to buy in than I do.

Hilarious, educational without being stuffy or boring, and absolutely perfect—In A Sunburned Country is helping me to take a big step.

I’m A Stranger Here Myself

This book is a fun crash course in the United Kingdom and modern-ish America.  After living in England for 20 years, Bryson comes home and settles in New Hampshire.

His description of how the British give directions was worth the price of the book for me, but I’m someone who can’t read a map.  Oh—I keep forgetting that I didn’t buy the book.  But I would!

His description of how much Americans eat is also perfect and sad.

Stranger wasn’t quite as funny for me as some of Bryson’s other work.  There’s a lot of contemplation and introspection here.  But it doesn’t hurt the book.  The wonderful thing about Bill Bryson is that his fans are never disappointed.

Whether he’s talking writing about the English language, science, Shakespeare, Australia, bears, wombats, crumpets, or what it means to be married, he’s always himself.

My favorite books are always the ones where I can tell the author had a blast writing them.  Bill Bryson loves to write, travel, and have a good time.

And with that, I’ve got to figure out how to get some money and time together and hit the road next year.  I imagine I’ll be back here at the blog often, pestering people for advice and asking questions about dingoes and English muffins.

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About the Author: Josh Hanagarne writes World’s Strongest Librarian, a blog with advice about coping with Tourette’s Syndrome, kettlebells, book recommendations, buying pants when you’re 6’8”, old-time strongman training, and much more. Please subscribe to Josh’s RSS Updates and Stronger, Smarter, Better Newsletter to stay in touch.

Photo credits:  Barnes & Noble (book covers), Josh Hanagarne (headshot)