Book Review- Jami Attenberg's I Came All This Way to Meet You: Writing Myself Home

Thank you to NetGalley, Ecco, and LibroFM, for providing both print and audio versions of Jami Attenberg’s memoir, I Came All This Way to Meet You: Writing Myself Home.

Author Jami Attenberg examines what it means to live a creative life, especially during times of doubt and struggle. Although previously published, Attenberg didn’t obtain commercial success until her third novel. The Middlesteins ( brilliant and worth adding to your TBR pile) was published in 2012. Attenberg details changes that she made that helped this success, such as changing agents and marketing strategies. I think in many situations, people would feel defeated if their first or second novel wasn’t a big success, but Attenberg shows that persistence and a shift in strategy can pay-off dividends.

I Came All This Way to Meet You is pitched as a book for writers, and it does give great insight into the publishing process and writer’s life, but really I think it is a great memoir to encourage anyone to keep following their dreams, no matter what they may be. Attenberg has tenacity. She has a love for writing that keeps her going even when money is scarce and times are tough. I liked reading about her travels around the United States and how different landscapes and communities inspired her imagination. I was reminded to take opportunities in whatever form they may present themselves and to focus on the present while working towards the future.

Book Review- Anthony Bourdain & Laurie Woolever's World Traveler: An Irreverent Guide

Thank you to Ecco for providing me with a copy of Anthony Bourdain & Laurie Woolever’s World Traveler: An Irreverent Guide, in exchange for an honest review.

World Traveler: An Irreverent Guide is a compilation of Anthony Bourdain’s travel advice and reflections, including his favorite local eats and bits of tourism. It turns out that Bourdain really loved quirky museums, independent bookstores, and lavish hotels.

Tragically, Bourdain died during the early stages of planning World Traveler, in fact, his co-author, Laurie Woolever, only had one in-person meeting to plan the book prior to his passing. Naturally, this changed the tone of the book a bit, turning the focus towards collecting memories from people who knew Bourdain. The most poignant were the essays from his younger brother, Christopher. Christopher recounts their childhood travels to France and the joy he experienced from traveling with his brother as adults, including taking part in a few episodes of Bourdain’s various tv series. Christopher’s love for his brother and the way he cherished their travels together is moving.

Bourdain was passionate and outspoken. He had a unique way of expressing himself through his words, both written and spoken, that was a kick to experience through his quotes in World Traveler. His voice is irreplacable. Woolever definitely honors Bourdain’s spirit and life in this guide book. His energy oozes on every page.

That said, under different circumstances (not reading for a review) I would have enjoyed World Traveler in a different way. It is the sort of book that you have on a coffee table for perusing at leisure or perhaps keep on a shelf as a reference for planning travels, not the sort of book that you race through start to finish. I say this, because a large chunk of World Traveler is practical travel advice, such as airport information or the best way to tour a city. It was a bit tedious to read quickly and clearly not intended for that sort of reading experience.

As far as the recommendations, I was pleased to discover a few that I have experienced (St. John in London, Din Tai Fung, and Voodoo Donuts) and to add many more to my list that I hope to try on future travels. I always loved that Bourdain was game to try the range of establishments, from dive to fine dining, all of which are included in his recommendations. He was unapologetically enthusiastic about his love for food and the people who create it.

World Traveler: An Irreverent Guide is a book that I intend to purchase for my permanent collection and one that I imagine will be a great inspiration for my future travels. It is also the ideal book for this moment, when many of us are feeling a deep longing towards travel and planning our post-covid adventures.