A Literary Journey
A global pandemic has meant little to no travel for most of 2020. With winter around the corner, we can find a comforting getaway in a well-stocked bookcase and a warm cup of chai. Stories have the power to transport our imagination to real locations, and on expansive journeys from the quiet refuge of our couches. Here are three of my favorites, and I’d love to read some of yours in the comments below.
South Africa
Born A Crime by Trevor Noah (Autobiography).
This is the best audiobook I’ve ever listened to, thanks to Trevor’s riveting narration. His charisma and magnetism carry the words off the page, bringing his story to life. It’s a captivating coming of age tale set during South Africa’s apartheid era. Trevor’s writing is funny, smart, informative, and a joy to experience.
A film adaptation starring Lupita Nyong’o is coming soon.
Guernsey
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrows and Mary Ann Shaffer (Historical Fiction).
Charming and witty, this is an epistolary novel (composed of letters) set in 1946 about the English Channel Islands’ German occupation. It’s a romantic and pleasant read that lightly touches on WWII without being heavy.
You may have seen the popular Netflix film adaptation; although the plot isn’t identical, the movie captures the book’s warmth and sweet tone.
New York
No Matter The Wreckage by Sarah Kay (Poetry).
Sarah Kay is one of my favorite poets, and not just because she’s friends with Lin Manuel-Miranda (Hamilton). A New York native, her love for NYC shines through many of her poems. Sarah’s evocative and imaginative writing feels personal in this beautiful poetry collection.
You can see her earnest spoken word performances on platforms like TED and YouTube.
I am definitely putting the Trevor Noah, Born a Crime, book on my reading list! Having moved to South Africa from the US, during the Apartheid years, in fact I moved there literally when Nelson Mandela was released from prison, I saw firsthand the suffering. When I moved back to the US I had gained a whole new perspective on life and what free and fair truly means. Thank you for bringing this book to our attention!
That’s incredible; you’ve had some fascinating life experiences. Thanks for sharing, David. Where in South Africa did you live, and for how long?