Introducing The Culture of Travel Book Club

A book club for the armchair traveler

Hi!

I hope this email finds you well and that you're savoring the final moments of summer. As August winds down, there's something special about these last few days before we transition into a new month and season. We start counting down the days to our last BBQs, cherish those final warm beach strolls, and hold on to our linen dresses just a little bit longer. Enjoy it, my friends!

I've been thinking about starting a book club for a while now, and it's finally time to make it happen! There’s no better time than now, as we look forward to my favorite cozy season—Fall. This time of year always brings me back to the start of the academic year, filled with new beginnings and a sense of possibility. In honor of this season that encourages us to cozy up at home and enjoy its warmth, let us curl up with a good book and be transported.

If you’re an explorer with a deep curiosity about people and places, this book club is for you!

Here are the book club deets:

Selection: Each quarter, I will choose one book that meets the following criteria:

• The book must be written by a female author.

• The book should fall under one or more of these themes:

  (1) Explore a Destination: Offer an in-depth look into a specific destination, including its culture, history, and local life, providing you with a sense of the destination.

  (2) Focus on Travel as an Industry: We will dive into aspects of the travel industry, such as its impact on societies, the dynamics of tourism, or the experiences of those working within it, giving insight into the broader context of travel.

  (3) Global Issues: We'll dive into books that feature personal narratives and historical accounts, exploring the causes and consequences of conflicts, migration, and climate change. The aim is to use these stories to better understand how these global challenges shape the lives of individuals and communities around the world, offering a unique opportunity to learn and broaden our horizons.

Book #1 | The New Tourist by Paige McClanahan

The New Tourist is the perfect book to set the tone for our book club. It embodies everything I envisioned for our first discussion. Paige McClanahan, drawing on her extensive experience as a journalist covering sustainability and tourism, challenges us to rethink our approach to travel. I hope that reading this book together will deepen our understanding of the impact of mass tourism on communities and empower us to become more responsible travelers.

Book Club Timeline

• Week of September 15th: Read Chapters 1 & 2

• Week of September 22nd: Read Chapters 3 & 4

• Week of September 29th: Read Chapters 5 & 6

• Week of October 6th: Read Chapter 7

Weekly Online chats 

I'll be hosting weekly "book club office hours" on Sundays at noon on the substack chat which I’ll send details about a few days before. The chat will be our space to post questions and share our thoughts on the weekly chapters.

At the end of the book club, I'll host a cafecito zoom meeting where we can gather and chat about the book. TBD, on the date and time. :) 

I’m excited to hear from you - leave me a comment below or reply to this email if you plan on joining!