5/5 ⭐ | Unsettled: A Memoir by Laurie Woodford

Forty-eight years old, divorced and living in New York, author Laurie Woodford was having what some might call a mid-life crisis.  Hungry for adventure, tired of the same old, or in fact a mid-life crisis, whatever you call it, it was the catalyst to what became a laugh out loud hilarious memoir, “Unsettled.”

Prepare to cry from laughing, live vicariously, and gain perspective of the world through the travels laid across these pages.  With dating encounters that will have you belly laughing, like a gentleman with a wandering eye to the smooth, hairless complexion of someone entirely outside of Laurie’s self-described attraction to very hairy men.  To travel adventures like caring for a seventeen-year-old dog in exchange for a free place to lay your head, or to coming home early from work to construction workers using your fridge and unit as their own personal lunchroom, the stories within are truly entertaining.

Asia to South America, Mexico to Arkansas and Oklahoma, “Unsettled” packs the true realities of adventuring, dating in your fifties, and working in foreign countries.  Organized successively as a collection of experiences and events, author Laurie Woodford keeps readers coming back for more of her encounters and adventures.  Detailing the lonely, the learning, the challenges with time differences, and moving on, this memoir provides the good, the bad, and the hilarious of Woodford’s unsettled adventures.

Aptly named, and expertly presented, “Unsettled” is quite the memorable collection of travelling escapades.  Laurie’s hysterical antics and sidesplitting experiences made for an amusing and quick read.   

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5/5 ⭐ | The Thousand-Yard Arrow by Danny Guan

Wow, I cannot remember the last time I’ve been so drawn into a story that I finish it all within one day, losing sleep, skipping events, the works just to finish it.  “The Thousand-Yard Arrow” was a thrilling tale!  I still cannot believe this is author Danny Guan’s first book, it reads like a seasoned storyteller, delivered to the page with extraordinary talent.

Calois Greenway is living a predictable life in a small town within the Kingdom of Alschwert.  Hunting and trading the carcasses for money to enjoy a meal and a pint or three every day.  But his reputation proceeds him, having made a name for himself as The Thousand-Yard Arrow assassin during the Thirteen Years’ War.  So, he is unsurprised when he is called upon by the town’s mayor to take on an animal leaving mysterious death in its wake.  However, when a cloaked figure saves him from the unnaturally purple and glowing bear and proceeds to asks him to meet her at the inn later that evening to discuss a proposition, he relents, owing her his life after all. 

This moment is the catalyst to the excitement that unfolds within these pages.  Traversing the kingdom, playing bodyguard and bristly ex-assassin turned good, makes for a page-turning read.  Marina, Theresa, Gilbert and Calois make for an entertaining lot, with humorous bickering, congenial celebrations, and adventurous encounters. 

Guan has crafted a truly majestic read.  The characters, their backstories, the fictional kingdoms within, and the fantastical elements combine for an extraordinary ride.  I hope this isn’t the last of this lot’s story.  I feel so invested in these characters and their plight, that I certainly hope there is more yet to come.  Regardless, Guan’s writing will immediately suck you in, as you become embedded in these characters and their survival.  Readers will undeniably be left wanting more of his writing and more of this crew.

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5/5 ⭐ | Notes From Out West: A Canadian Backcountry Experience by Carter Obasohan

“Notes From Out West” is not my first rodeo with the Canadian wilderness and yet I feel like I have an entirely new appreciation and understanding of so many aspects of it after reading this.  These western adventures give a new perspective of the beauty Canada has to offer, and the true meaning of “grasslands,” among other things.

Overall, author Carter Obasohan travelled 212 kilometers on foot, or nearly 132 miles.  From Saskatchewan to Alberta, British Columbia and Vancouver Island, the beauty described within, and the journey taken by Obasohan is majestic.  Not without its complications, the ever-present fear of bears, the smoke of the raging wildfires, and the extreme landscapes traversed, are consistently on the reader’s mind.

Carter Obasohan starts this book by telling the reader he is not an avid hiker.  Like many, he enjoys thinking about cool hikes, spectacular views, and all the amazing things traveling off the beaten path presents, never any of the realistic fears of dehydration, getting lost, and so on though.  However, while Obasohan didn’t actually hike, he seemed to have begun collecting a large amount of hiking gear, piling up unused he decided it was time to put it to use, and so this book took shape. 

Each chapter is laid out by location, such as Grasslands National Park, Dinosaur Provincial Park, Emerald Lake, the Yoho Glacier, a five-day journey through the West Coast Trail, and more.  Skipping the actual travelling to and from park by car, Obasohan really focuses on the backcountry experience, delivering it as if talking to his friend over a beverage, this is a wholly enjoyable and fun read.  Deciding to forego the bear spray, hiking impromptu at one point with Crocs on, and scouting out the best camping spot are just a few of the relatable experiences within, all furnished in a manner of friend telling friend.

I certainly hope this isn’t the last of Carter Obasohan’s adventures, he’s quickly become an experienced hiker and has a way with words that instantly draws you into his stories.  Bravo to weathering injury and discomfort, fear, ready heat foods, and some gnarly landscapes!

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The Key to Love by Betsy St. Amant

Publication Date: October 13th, 2020

Rating: 3 Stars

What does a travel magazine writer and a small-town baker have in common?  Turns out not much. One is completely turned off to romance, and the other has their head in the clouds.  But, do either of them stand a chance against the “love angels,” the very duo that brings this world traveled writer to their small-town after the bakery’s love story goes viral and puts the town of Story, Kansas on the map?

Like Gerard, our hunky travel writer, I too put some pounds on from reading this delectable romance.  The sweet desserts cooked up by Bri are sure to give you a sweet tooth.  Thank goodness this was a quick read, or my wardrobe would have been needing an update from all the mouth-watering moments within. 

Author, Betsy St. Amant cooks up a delicious romance with swoon worthy characters as Bri persuades readers toward the quaintness of small-town living and Gerard seeks to broaden our travel horizons.  An engrossing, if at times predictable and cheesy romance.

*Disclaimer: A review copy was provided by the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

Cities in Layers by Philip Steele, Andres Lozano (Illustrations)

Publication Date: August 11th, 2020

Rating: 4 Stars

Cities are large settlements of people which the book defines beautifully as comprising of walls or defenses, water, buildings, roads or railways, bridges, boats and monuments. This read looks at six cities through time, ranging from Rome in 753 BCE to New York City present day.  Each chapter begins with facts about the city, famous people who have lived there and the changes from modern day to the city beginning.  This is followed by an exciting and interactive illustrated map highlighting more than a dozen important landmarks through the years.

Readers will have fun tracking the landmarks by number across the interactive map as you are invited to learn more about each monument, church, plaza, bridge and more.  While COVID may have halted our travels, Cities in Layers provides the perfect opportunity to plan your next destination and historic stops along the way.  This book invites families to learn more about six key cities around the world as they daydream about travels to foreign, or even local, lands.

*Disclaimer: A review copy was provided by the publisher.  All opinions are my own.