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Books & Authors

On the Road Again

Are you dreaming about travel? You’re not alone there. Take a look at some of these new travel narratives for some inspiration.

100 trails, 5,000 ideas : where to go, when to go, what to see, what to do by Joseph Yogerst
In these informative pages, you'll find National Geographic's recommendations for superlative hikes, as well as tips for wildlife spotting, scenic picnic locales, routes with a view, camp sites, and off-trail activities nearby. Plus, you'll discover alternative routes to extend your trek or tackle shorter lengths of some of the country's most iconic journeys, like the Appalachian Trail. With each itinerary you'll find practical planning advice for when to go and what to expect when you arrive.

Driving the Green Book : a road trip through the living history of Black resistance by Alvin Hall
Join award-winning broadcaster Alvin Hall on a journey through America's haunted racial past, with the legendary Green Book as your guide. For countless Americans, the open road has long been a place where dangers lurk. In the era of Jim Crow, Black travelers encountered locked doors, hostile police, and potentially violent encounters almost everywhere, in both the South and the North. From 1936 to 1967, millions relied on The Negro Motorist Green Book, the definitive guide to businesses where they could safely rest, eat, or sleep. Alvin Hall sets out to revisit the world of the Green Book and finds people who had endured the dramatic challenges of that time. With his friend Janée Woods Weber, he journeys from New York to Detroit to New Orleans, visiting motels, restaurants, and stores where Black Americans once found a friendly welcome. They explore landmarks, from the theaters and clubs where stars like Duke Ellington and Aretha Franklin performed to the Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. Along the way, Hall recalls his own experiences, and together they gather memories from some of the last living witnesses for whom the Green Book meant survival--remarkable people who not only endured but rose above the hate, building vibrant Black communities against incredible odds. Driving the Green Book is a vital work of national history as well as a hopeful chronicle of Black resilience and resistance

Exploring the Oregon Trail : America's historic road trip by Kay Woelfel Scott
A guidebook featuring photos, maps, interviews, and information about the landmarks, facilities, individuals, activities, and towns along the Oregon Trail, from Missouri to Oregon.

Fifty Places to Travel With Your Dog Before You Die : Dog Experts Share the World's Greatest Destinations by Diana Helmuth Chris Santell
Fifty Places to Travel with Your Dog, the 18th book in the Fifty Places series, will explore all of the domestic and international ways dog owners can celebrate their love for man's best friend. From the dazzling glaciers of Alaska and the onsens of Japan to the sun-soaked beaches of Portugal, this book takes you on a dog-approved journey of where to stay and how to travel with your beloved furry friend. Enjoy locations such as the ski trails of Mariposa, the gothic architecture of Prague, the chic salons of Paris for a doggy makeover, and the world's first dog cruise--complete with a canine-friendly menu, even a three-course meal! See the world as you've never seen it before--through the eyes of your pup--as Fifty Places to Travel with Your Dog takes you through fun-filled festivals, special dog holidays, and luxurious hotels and retreats that aren't just dog-centric, they are dog approved!

Hidden places : from secret shores to sacred shrines by Claudia Martin
From the hauntingly winding Transfagarasan Highway in Romania to the rugged, green-tinted Copper Canyon in the Sierra Madre in Mexico, this book roams across the globe celebrating special places off the beaten track.

High : a journey across the Himalaya, through Pakistan, India, Bhutan, Nepal and China by Erika Fatland
An ambitious and magnificent new travelogue by bestselling and prize-winning author Erika Fatland (The Border and Sovietistan), on a journey along the Himalaya. The Himalaya weave through five very different countries, where the world religions of Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism are mixed with ancient shamanic religions. Countless languages and vastly different cultures live in the secluded mountain valleys. Modernity and tradition collide, while the great powers fight for influence. We have read about mountain climbers on their way up Mount Everest and about travelers on the spiritual quest for Buddhist monasteries. But how much do we know about the people living in the Himalaya? Fatland invites us into close encounters with the many peoples of the region, and at the same time takes us on a dizzying journey at altitude through incredible landscapes and dramatic, unknown world histories - all the way to the most volatile human conflicts of our times.

Made in Chicago : Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites by David Hammond Monica Eng
Monica Eng and David Hammond draw on decades of exploring the city's food landscape to serve up thirty can't-miss eats found in all corners of Chicago. From Mild Sauce to the Jibarito and from Taffy Grapes to Steak and Lemonade, Eng and Hammond present stories of the people and places behind each dish while illuminating how these local favorites reflect the multifaceted history of the city and the people who live there. Each entry provides all the information you need to track down whatever sounds good and selected recipes even let you prepare your own Flaming Saganaki or Akutagawa.

Miles to go : an African family in search of America along Route 66 by Brennen Matthews
Miles to Go is the story of a family from Africa in search of authentic America along the country's most famous highway, Route 66. Traveling the scenic byway from Illinois to California, they come across a fascinating assortment of historical landmarks, partake in quirky roadside attractions, and meet more than a few colorful characters.

Oh My Mother! : A Memoir in Nine Adventures by Connie Wang
In each essay of this hilarious, heartfelt, and pitch-perfectly honest memoir, journalist Connie Wang explores her complicated relationship to her stubborn and charismatic mother, Qing Li, through the "oh my god" moments in their travels together. From attending a Magic Mike strip show in Vegas to experimenting with edibles in Amsterdam to flip-flopping through Versailles, this iconic mother-daughter duo venture into the world to find their place in it, and sometimes rail against it--as well as against each other. There are hijinks, capers, and adventures. There is also tenderness, growth, and discovery. In telling these stories about the places they've gone and the things they've done, Wang reveals another story: the true story of two women who finally learned that once we are comfortable with the feeling of not belonging--once we can reject the need to belong to any place, community, census, designation, or nation--we can experience something almost like freedom.

On the Curry Trail : Chasing the Flavor That Seduced the World by Iyer Raghavan
On the Curry Trail is an enlightening journey across Australia, Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas to explore the origins of curry and the signature, essential curries of each region. This diaspora of curry brings alive not only the most iconic, category-defining recipes from these continents, but also the history, lore, anecdotes, and familial remembrances that fashion each dish. It delves into the story of curry--what it was and what it is, the places to which it has traveled and the ways it has evolved en route (whether because of local ingredients, cultural tastes, or other factors)--and embraces the many interpretations and definitions of this beloved dish. It makes the flavors of these scintillating curries accessible to the everyday home cook. On the Curry Trail is at once a mash note and an education--one rich in history and sense of place--that tells the definitive, delectable story of this beguiling dish in 50 irresistible recipes.

Pride Atlas : 500 Iconic Destinations for Queer Travelers by Maartje Hensen
Combining immersive photography with expertly researched travel writing, this is the ultimate guidebook for LGBTQ+ travelers--whether you're planning your next getaway, daydreaming from the comfort of your armchair, or seeking to learn about queer culture in other parts of the world. This swoon-worthy guide to the best places and events the queer world has to offer spans the globe, taking you from metropolitan must-sees, like the birthplace of Pride in New York or the world's first gayborhood in Berlin, to lesser-known gems, like a trans designer's clothing store in Sa?o Paulo or the first LGBTQ+ bar in Nepal.

Rick Steves Italy for food lovers by Avalon Travel
Sip, savor, and get the most out of every bite with Rick Steves! With this fun and practical guide to eating well in Italy, you'll: Indulge in the best of Italy's cuisine, from tantalizing antipasti and saucy pastas to luxurious gelato. Get a taste of the coffee culture and vibrant wine scene. Discover what to eat where with food and wine specialties from the country's 20 regions. Find lists of Rick's favorite restaurants in every region. Follow Rick's tips to find restaurants for any budget, smartly navigate the menu, and decipher the check. Hurdle the language barrier with the ultimate Italian food glossary. Enjoy full-color, inspiring photos throughout. Commemorate your culinary adventures with a foldout souvenir poster map. Rick Steves and co-author Fred Plotkin have devoted decades to traveling through Italy. In this book, they pass along those lessons to you. Appreciate good food the way Italians do with Rick Steves Italy for Food Lovers.

Useless knowledge for the world traveler : 555 curious facts, trivia, and misconceptions that you should know by Klaus Viedebantt
A fun, funny, and fascinating compendium of trivia, traditions, and advice from around the world--covering all seven continents, from the North Pole to the South Pole, and even the moon! Did you know that a goat discovered the true effects of coffee? Have you ever used a toilet made of pure gold? Let this book be an entertaining and humorous companion for all your travels, taking you on a journey of traditions, customs, and misconceptions from around the world. Filled with absurd records, bizarre events, and little-known facts, it provides all the amusing (yet useless!) knowledge you'll need to impress your friends and chitchat with strangers at home and abroad. You'll also find useful information about manners and etiquette to always be sure what not to do while visiting new places.

 

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