Destination: Inspiration
It’s back to the rat race with the new year slowly receding behind us. You may be moaning about that less-than-perfect holiday you just came back from, or just experiencing the general malaise knowing that a long trip isn’t in the cards in the next few months.
Fret not. Very scientific studies have shown that anticipating and moodboarding a vacation can make you feel happier than the actual trip. So, in the interest of spreading happiness all around, we’d like to share a few books that offer some happy-making escapist inspiration.
Sure, reading is not quite the same. But some of us are actually cool with forgoing the whole packing-unpacking-repacking luggage-lugging hobbling-on-endless-cobblestones thing.
And sometimes, it’s just good enough to read about a place that isn’t in our bucket list of places to visit.
Must Eat London: An Eclectic Selection of Culinary Locations by Luc Hoornaert
Yes, some of us travel for food or plan our lives around food. The UK does not usually come to mind when good food is being talked about — but we have it on good authority that there absolutely is good food to be found hither and thither. Find out where the “must eats” are across London — from food markets, pubs and small cafes to trendy or Michelin-starred hotspots which require months-ahead reservations. Eat, Sleep, Eat! Caveat Lector: someone’s yum may be another’s yuck. And vice versa.
Get the book here: Physical Copy
NØRTH — How to Live Scandinavian by Brontë Aurell
A charming and cheeky introduction to all things Scandinavian. Find out important things like why Nordic people are so good at crime thrillers (books & tv dramas), the right way to slice cheese (hint: not with a knife), how to become Viking-fit (errrr…) and how to transform your home into a mad stylish Copenhagen-styled abode with the right ratio of books, art, animals and other objects. Basically, how to live hyggely ever after. Best read wearing a cashmere sweater, with the air-conditioning on full blast and a few pine-scented candles aglow. Situate a plate of cinnamon buns (kanelbulle) and strong coffee within reach.
Get the book here: Physical Copy
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
A ravishing and devastatingly honest portrayal of the complexities and intensity of female friendship, set in the turbulent, impoverished and vibrant world of 1950s Naples. As girls, Elena and Lila are drawn together by their love of learning. There are zero pink-themed sleepovers — they are too busy competing, trying to escape their gritty neighbourhood and avoiding the attention of local gangsters. Circumstances then steer them in different directions through the decades. Yes, no one can break your heart quite like a female friend.
Do read if you hearken to go to Italy but just don’t have the time/energy/monies. This book (and the quadrilogy of Ferrante’s The Neopolitan Novels: 1, 2, 3, 4) will take. you. there. It almost is like reading in technicolour.
Get the book here: Physical Copy, eBook, Audiobook
Ottoman Odyssey by Alev Scott
An insanely rich exploration of the regions the Ottomans ruled a century ago. The legacy of which reign is shown to be very much alive in the architecture, landscape, and in the collective and colourful stories, memories and identities of the descendants of the minorities and nationalities that were once part of the sprawling empire. Best read with maps of Turkey and surrounding countries, and a glass of fragrant apple tea. Skip if dramatic and complex geopolitical situations are not your cup of um, tea.
Get the book here: Physical Copy
Indonesia etc.: Exploring the Improbable Nation by Elizabeth Pisani
Pisani traversed 26,000 miles across Indonesia over a year. She went from island to island on ferries, wooden sailing dhows, buses and motorbikes. In Sumba, she drank tea with corpses, and had her fortune told to her. In Lamalera, Lembata Island, she went whale hunting using ancient techniques. And in Haloban, off Sumatra, she accompanied the village ‘Crocodile Whisperer’ to hunt down a man-eating crocodile. A slightly more exciting year than the one I just had, then.
Get the book here: Physical Copy
A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley
Born in India. Lost on a train. Adopted by an Australian couple. Moved to Tasmania. Saroo Brierley grew up wondering where he had come from, and eventually managed to locate his birth family with the help of Google Earth. This is his story.
It was adapted into the movie Lion in 2016, which won a number of awards and made lots of money. So plan to read the book on a laidback Saturday afternoon, watch the movie adaptation, and spend the rest of the evening comparing the merits of the book and film versions.
Get the book here: Physical Copy, eBook
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Text by
Marissa Heng
From National Library Board
