Wanderlust Bookshelf: How Reading Transforms the Road into a Realm of Creativity
I started picking up book after book this past year after my knee surgery. I never gave myself that time before to simply read a story, to create time to unplug and dive into another world until this past year.
Living life on the road is a constant journey of discovery, and within the confines of a nomadic lifestyle, literature becomes a compass navigating the creative landscapes of the mind. I've discovered that each book I've embraced is not just a story but a catalyst for transforming my creative state. I dream bigger. I fantasize more. And I simply let myself get lost in the pages.
Join me as I share five captivating books on my bookshelf last year.
1. "Black Cake" by Charmaine Wilkerson: 10/10
A tale intricately woven with the threads of family secrets and the complexities of identity. "Black Cake" delves into the legacy of a family across generations, offering a poignant reflection on the ties that bind and the stories that define us. Wilkerson's prose unfolds like a carefully crafted tapestry, leaving an indelible mark on the canvas of my imagination.
2. "Tomorrow And tomorrow And tomorrow" by Gabreielle Zevin: 10/10
We’ve got a storyline of two unique friends & how their passion for video games becomes their identity - love, loss, artistic expression all in one incredible novel.
3. "Tom Lake" by Ann Patchett: 8/10
Midwest summers. IYKYK. A story rich in the arts, family & the love for Lake Michigan & cherry trees in the summer. I read this one in the dead of a Wisconsin winter. Tom Lake would’ve been the perfect summertime read to soak up the essence of The Great Lake - Lake Michigan.
4. "Olga Dies Dreaming" by Xochitl Gonzalez: 8/10
Gonzalez's debut novel is a vivid tapestry of love, identity, and the pursuit of dreams. "Olga Dies Dreaming" captures the essence of the human spirit's resilience against the backdrop of familial expectations and societal pressures. As a nomad, this narrative resonates, echoing the pursuit of dreams amid the ever-shifting landscapes of life on the road.
5. "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho: 10/10
A timeless classic that has accompanied me on every twist and turn of the road. Coelho's masterpiece, "The Alchemist," transcends its pages to become a guiding philosophy for my nomadic journey. The quest for one's personal legend, the pursuit of dreams, and the transformative power of the journey—these themes have become the compass guiding my creative exploration.
