travel

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Transit Lounge by Sunil Mishra @b00kr3vi3ws @TransitLounges #BookBlitz

About the Book:

“Transit Lounge” is a contemporary book consisting of short incidents, observations and reflections while travelling to 30 countries across six different continents during the last 15 years.

The book is a personal account of travels to places in Africa, South America, Asia, Europe, USA, Australia and New Zealand.

It was interesting to observe all these different cultures and people from an Indian perspective. The book is a compilation of small incidents and events during such travels; it includes losing an air ticket, dealing with difficult custom officials or getting mugged in a prime location in a foreign country.

Book Links:
Goodreads * Amazon

Snippets from Sunil’s travel:

I remember visiting Croatia some time in 2005. It is a small but very beautiful country in Eastern Europe. It could be a must see place for people who enjoy the nature’s beauty.

Plitvice lake that I visited consists of multiple lakes surrounded by mountain and a good amount of plantation. It covers a large trekking area covering the lakes, mountains and the trees.

The lakes are interspersed with numerous waterfalls that make it a great natural sight. The color of the lakes change based on the sunlight, amount of minerals and vegetation around it. Some of these sights are picture perfect in true sense.

Invader in one country is a hero in another.This statue of Henry Havelock at Trafalgar Square, London reads :-
To Major General Sir Henry Havelock KCB and his brave companions in arms during the campaign in India 1857. “Soldiers! Your labours, your privations, your sufferings and your valour, will not be forgotten by a grateful country.” H. Havelock

About the Author:

Sunil is a software professional with over two decades of experience in the field of banking technology. Currently he is working with Infosys and has earlier worked with McKinsey, Accenture and I-flex solutions. As part of work he travelled to more than 30 countries across six continents. This constituted the basis of his current book.

Sunil is an MBA from IIM-Lucknow and holds a B.Tech from IIT(ISM), Dhanbad. He completed his schooling in Bokaro Steel City.

Contact the Author:
Facebook * Twitter * LinkedIn * Instagram

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Inspired by Paris: Why Borrowing from the French Is Better Than Being French by Jordan Phillips

inspired_by_paris

 

Kate Tilton sent me an ARC of this book (mobi format) in exchange for an honest review.

My rating:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Plot
(by Goodreads)

Part travel narrative and part lifestyle guide, Inspired by Paris: Why Borrowing from the French Is Better Than Being French is a must-read for anyone who’s ever dreamed about traveling to or living in France.

Author Jordan Phillips is a bona fide Francophile. Just show her a wedge of oozy French cheese or a slightly dilapidated Mansard roof, and she’ll swoon every time. Before moving to New York, Phillips lived in Paris, and she still travels to her apartment there frequently. But through these experiences, she learned that—as in so many things in life—fantasy is often better than reality.

Filled with historical tidbits, motivational nuggets, and honest insight, chapters such as “La Vie Est Belle,” “The Paris Syndrome,” and “Jacques-in-the-Box” reveal the truth of what it’s really like to live in the most beautiful city in the world.

Whether you’re headed to Paris next week or never make it there at all, this chatty and information-packed book will introduce you to the real City of Light—beyond the fantasy of the Instagram version.

Genre(s): Non-fiction > Travel > Europe > France
Series: n.a.
Length: 256 pages
Release date: 2016-07-04

 

Teaser

Plus, if your instincts are on point and the place is packed with Parisians, I’ll bet your food is fantastic. No need to map it or Instagram it or photograph it; just live it. Eat, breathe, talk, and watch everything and everyone around you. If you learn to master this (whether on a trip or in your own day-to-day life), you will experience something that Parisians have enjoyed for hundreds of years.

My Opinion

This book is a fresh take on what life and living (or at least visiting) in Paris means.

With Inspired by Paris, Jordan Philipps has created a refreshing and enjoyable read about the French capital. It is a fun read with innumerable advice on experiencing a wonderful stay in Paris. The readers learn about the Parisians’ behaviour, gain insights in the art of letting the world go by, are lured to smell and taste, and dive into the world of French artists of any kind. Jordan Phillips paints a clear picture of Paris and its inhabitants – as well as of their culture and customs. Jordan Phillips’ love for Paris shows; she provides complex information in a light-hearted style, and the narrative has a really good flow.

This is a book for you if you like travelling, great experiences, good food, and a refreshing take on things.

Recommended.

In brief:

Cover ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Writing ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Plot ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Characters n.a.
Mood Thoughtful
Pace Steady
POV First person
Language :mrgreen:
Violence :mrgreen:
Sexual content :mrgreen:

 

About the author

Jordan Phillips is the author of Inspired by Paris: Why Borrowing from the French Is Better Than Being French. She spends most of her time in New York City with her husband and daughter but enjoys escaping to her apartment in Paris as often as possible.

Jordan holds a master’s degree in fashion marketing and management from the École Supérieure des Arts et Techniques de la Mode (ESMOD) in Paris, and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly). She is also the author of Sustainable Luxe: A Guide to Feel-Good Fashion and The Lure of Luxe: Climbing the Luxury Consumption Pyramid.

For more information, and to shop for fabulous vintage clothing and accessories from France, please visit www.inspiredbyparis.com.

Connect with the author:

Please take a look at my statement on reading in My train of thoughts on …reading.  Now I am asking you.  🙂

My questions for you bibliophiles:
What about you?  What did you think about Inspired by Paris?  Or – if you did not yet read Inspired by Paris – are you now interested in reading it yourself?

I am looking forward to reading your comments.  🙂

10 Statements – Jordan Phillips

 

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Do Not Wash Hands In Plates by Barb Taub

Do_Not_Wash_Hands_In_Plates

My rating:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Plot
(by Goodreads)

Once upon the Land Before Time (or at least before mobile phones), my two best friends and I decided to leave the US from separate locations and meet up in Europe. To everyone’s shock, Janine, Jaya and I pulled it off—mostly because we went to Luxembourg, a country so small the odds in favor of chance street encounters were almost 100%, but also because Jaya was carrying the BS, a blue suitcase so enormous it took up approximately a third of the country’s square footage and was visible on satellite images. We couldn’t possibly miss.

It took over thirty-five years before—in a combination of optimism and failing memories— we recklessly decided to repeat this feat. Hey, we reasoned, now we’ve got smartphones, better credit ratings, wheeled suitcases, medical insurance, and the ability to drink legally. Just to make it more interesting, this time we chose to meet in India, where the odds against the three of us actually linking up were approximately a bazillion to bupkis.

This is the story of three women eating our way across India in search of adventure, elephants, temples, palaces, western toilets, monkeys, the perfect paratha…and the kindness of Indian strangers.

Genre(s): Non-fiction, Travel, Humour & Entertainment
Series: n.a.
Length: 83 pages
Release date: 2016-01-01

 

Teaser

No Janine. No Jaya. And, apparently, no way to get back into the airport. After several failed attempts at international texts, I realized I could (at heart-stopping expense) send email to Jaya, who soon confirmed that she was on her way and that it was 3:00 AM so I should get back inside. Except there were signs everywhere saying you couldn’t go back in.

“No problem.” Jaya explained that rules in India are more like guidelines. “People in India are very kind. Just ask.”

My Opinion

This humorous travelogue takes you on an unforgettable journey.

With Do Not Wash Hands In Plates: Elephant frenzy, parathas, temples, palaces, monkeys…and the kindness of Indian strangers, Barb Taub has created an unforgettable travelogue. It is a highly enjoyable and hilarious read, engaging the readers from the first to the last pages. Barb Taub did not just write this story, she drew me in so that I became an invisible co-traveller. The situations are often pretty funny, had me chuckling and even laughing out loud while reading. I had a great time reading Do Not Wash Hands In Plates: Elephant frenzy, parathas, temples, palaces, monkeys…and the kindness of Indian strangers. Readers beware: The continuous mention of delicious Indian food may trigger your appetite. 😉

This is a book for you if you like humorous travelogues.

Highly recommended!

In brief:

Cover ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Writing ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Plot ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Characters ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Mood Humorous
Pace Steady
POV First person – past tense
Language :mrgreen:
Violence :mrgreen:
Sexual content :mrgreen:

 

About the author

In halcyon days BC (before children), Barb Taub wrote a humor column for several Midwest newspapers. With the arrival of Child #4, she veered toward the dark side and an HR career. Following a daring daytime escape to England, she’s lived in a medieval castle and a hobbit house with her prince-of-a-guy and the World’s Most Spoiled Aussie Dog. Now all her days are Saturdays, and she spends them consulting with her occasional co-author/daughter on Marvel heroes, Null City, and translating from British to American.

 

Connect with the author:

Amazon:  Barb Taub
Amazon UK:  Buy link
Amazon US:  Buy link

 

Please take a look at my statement on reading in My train of thoughts on …reading.  Now I am asking you.  🙂

My questions for you bibliophiles:
What about you?  What did you think about Do Not Wash Hands In Plates: Elephant frenzy, parathas, temples, palaces, monkeys…and the kindness of Indian strangers?  Or – if you did not yet read Do Not Wash Hands In Plates: Elephant frenzy, parathas, temples, palaces, monkeys…and the kindness of Indian strangers – are you now interested in reading it yourself?

I am looking forward to reading your comments.  🙂

 

 

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March 2016 – Irish Impressions, #5

Belvedere House Gardens & Park, Westmeath

“An excellent day out with a difference. Belvedere House Gardens and Park offers something for young and old.

Open daily, all year round, visitors can enjoy over 10 km of safe and serene walks, a Georgian Villa, a Victorian Walled Garden, Fairy Garden, 3 Children’s Playgrounds, Gift Shop, several picnic areas and a licensed café operated by Catoca Fine Foods & Giftware. Whether you are part of a gardening group, historical society, active retirement association, family gathering or group of friends, a visit to Belvedere is a superb day with a difference. Annual Membership also available.”  [Source: Belvedere House Garden & Park brochure]

I took these shots on March 8, 2016 – three hours well spent.

 

Additional information:

A café with tasty meals/snacks and beverages – enjoy!

A lovely gift shop – isn’t this leather-bound notebook the right (birthday) gift for a writer? (even 2 days after her birthday)  😉

http://www.belvedere-house.ie/

This concludes our Irish impressions – an exciting 5-day-trip. Thank you for joining the fun.  :mrgreen:

 

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March 2016 – Irish Impressions, #4

Cliffs of Moher, County Clare

The Cliffs of Moher is Ireland’s most visited natural attraction with a magical vista that captures the hearts of up to one million visitors every year. The Cliffs rise to 214 metres (702 feet) at the highest point and range for 8 kilometres (5 miles) over the Atlantic Ocean on the western seaboard of Co. Clare. From the Cliffs one can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, as well as the Twelve Pins, the Maum Turk Mountains in Connemara and Loop Head to the South.

The Cliffs of Moher take their name from a ruined promontory fort “Mothar” which was demolished during the Napoleonic wars to make room for a signal tower at Hag’s Head.

The secret of how the Cliffs formed… about 320 million years ago, during a time called the Upper Carboniferous period, when this area was much warmer and was situated at the mouth of a large river. The river flowed down bringing mud and sand with it, eventually dumping it all over the area where it settled and eventually formed the rock layers you see today.  [Source: Cliffs of Moher brochure]

 

Additional information:

As March 6, 2016 was Mother’s Day in Ireland – Elfe and I each received a voucher for a coffee.

Website:  http://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/