The Photographs: Iconic Images From National Geographic, Foreword By Jimmy Chin, Text By Cathy Newman

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

Wow! What an awesome book! The Photographs: Iconic Images From National Geographic is AMAZING! It's truly a wonderful read chock full of gorgeous, jaw-dropping images taken by the most talented and gifted photographers in the world. There are over two hundred and fifty photographs to peruse and believe you me, you are going to take your time turning the pages in this marvelous tome. It is an absolute treat of a book. Talk about the perfect Christmas gift for anyone and everyone on your list. They will fall in love with this book - who wouldn't? Or they will love to have it on display on their coffee table, so that anyone who visits can have the opportunity to check it out. I mean it, this book is a must-have and must-read. 

The Photographs is a history book- showcasing the scope of National Geographic's coverage, topics, and reach all over the world. There are quotes, interviews and biographies throughout the book, which provide fascinating details and facts. And the stunning photographs themselves evoke a sense of wonder as you gaze at them one by one. This is a mesmerizing and unforgettable read. I absolutely LOVED it. I found myself dipping in and out of every day, sometimes three to five times a day. I couldn't help myself. I loved looking at these iconic images that reflect our world, our society, and our cultures.  The Photographs is such a beautiful book.  Make sure to grab a copy for yourself and a loved one. You most definitely won't want to miss out on this fantastic book!

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

100 Cities, 5000 Ideas: Where To Go, When To Go, What To See, What To Do by National Geographic

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

Grab your passport and get ready to explore 100 cities around the world. This informative travel guide--the next in National Geographic’s blockbuster 5,000 Ideas series--takes you from skyscraper-filled concrete jungles to coastal urban oases. You’ll find hot tips for the best sights, bites, museums, and more for each location, as well as practical planning advice for when to go and what to expect when you arrive. And there’s something in these pages for every traveler: history buff, art lover, foodie, beach bum, or anyone in between. Take a dim sum tour through San Francisco’s Chinatown; hop a bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto to capture two of Japan’s best cities in one vacation; discover the hidden historical gems in bustling Mumbai; bathe in the sun on Sydney’s beaches; temple hop your way through Bangkok and shop its floating markets; stand on the edge of the world in Ushuaia, Argentina, the world’s southernmost city; take a walk through art history in Florence; or go on an urban safari in Nairobi. Filled with expert tips, bonus side trip suggestions, and tons of innovative activities, this is an inspirational and practical keepsake for any kind of globetrotter.

my thoughts:

I am dreaming of traveling. My notebook is filled with a vacation wish list of all the places I want to visit. I can taste the open road. And, then reality sets in and I'm back to armchair traveling. My vacation wish list will have to wait...for now.  So, that is why I read about faraway places - to get my travel bug fix. Luckily, I was able to get my hands on National Geographic's latest travel book, 100 Cities, 5000 Ideas: Where To Go, When To Go, What To See, What To Do. Talk about the perfect travel guide!

Chock full of gorgeous photographs from all over the world, showcasing the beauty surrounding us all - this book will have you fantasizing about all the places you MUST visit ASAP. From Japan to Italy to India - your vacation wish list will become never-ending. OMG! And, the information the guide provides - tidbits and facts about what to do and when to go are exactly what you need when planning out your trips. I just LOVED this book so much! It is the perfect travel guide!

I would happily recommend 100 Cities, 5000 Ideas to anyone and everyone looking for their next read - you will LOVE getting lost in this book! Check it out!

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

Food Journeys Of A Lifetime: 500 Extraordinary Places to Eat Around the Globe by National Geographic Society

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

Few experiences are as satisfying as a chance to explore the world through food. Compiled from the expert travel writers at National Geographic, Food Journeys of a Lifetime scours the globe for the world’s best dishes, markets, and restaurants that are worth traveling far and wide to savor.
In this fully revised and updated edition, find the best of the best, including:

Tokyo’s famed fish market and its 226 Michelin-starred restaurants--the most of any city in the world
The ultimate Philly cheesesteak from the city of brotherly love
The perfect cup of tea in China
The spice markets of Marrakech
The juiciest cuts of beef in Argentina
The freshest pasta in Italy
And the ultimate Swiss wine route
Featuring more than 60 new bites and destinations, this book is the key to building a foodie traveler’s ultimate bucket list. Within the flavors and tastes of every cuisine, you’ll find unique stories about the places, cultures, climates, and chefs that produce these extraordinary dishes. A wide selection of recipes invite you to try new cooking techniques and obtain flavors from abroad at home; top 10 lists offer side trips from chocolate factories to champagne bars.

Filled with a dazzling array of diverse recommendations, each page of this inspiring book will make your mouth water--and spur your next gourmet vacation.

my thoughts:

National Geographic does food - how could I not read this one, right? I'm serious. Yummy, delicious food from all over the world - my mouth waters just thinking about it. And luckily, National Geographic always delivers the BEST photographs, so I know I'm going to be looking at vibrant and vivid images of glorious food. So, yeah, the title of this book, Food Journeys Of A Lifetime: 500 Extraordinary Places to Eat Around the Globe,  already makes me love it. Of course, once I open it up and start flipping pages and reading the different sections about coffee, restaurants, spices, and street foods, well, I am in LOVE. 

The photographs are awesome - they make you want to jump on a plane and fly everywhere to try all the foods. YUM! And the top ten lists were so much fun to read through. I loved reading about the best maple syrup, the best beer, and which food festivals should be added to your bucket list. Plus, I loved that we get to read about food from all over the world, including our beautifully diverse country. What a delectable treat this book was to peruse through. I had such a blast making my own list of places to visit and foods to try. Talk about foodie paradise!

Food Journeys Of A Lifetime makes for a terrific holiday gift - who doesn't love a beautiful coffee table book, right? And, who doesn't enjoy armchair traveling now and then? Plus, you can use this book to help you plan out your next vacation or three and check out all of the extraordinary places there are to eat in this wonderful world. All I know is that this book is a must-read. Make sure to check it out ASAP - you are going to eat it up!

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

Into The Forest: The Secret Language Of Trees by Susan Tyler Hitchcock

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

For millennia, trees have offered renewal and inspiration. They have provided for humanity on every level, from spiritual sanctuary to the raw material for our homes, books, and food. 

In this beautiful and revealing book, National Geographic combines legendary photography with cutting-edge science to illuminate exactly how trees influence the life of planet Earth—from our personal lives to the weather cycle. Beautifully illustrated essays tell the stories of the world’s most remarkable trees, from Tane Mahura in New Zealand, the ancient Maori "lord of the forest," to Pando, a single aspen spreading over 100 acres: Earth’s largest living thing. You’ll also discover how an astronaut carried tree seeds to the moon and back; the reason "microdosing" on tree gas is a sure way to boost your immune system; and why playing in the dirt boosts serotonin, happiness hormone. 

For nature and science enthusiasts, as well as photography lovers, Into the Forest is a beautiful and edifying gift to give or cherish.

my thoughts:

Into The Forest: The Secret Language of Trees by Susan Tyler Hitchcock is a beautiful book all about trees. The photographs are gorgeous and awesome - they capture the unique beauty of nature in all of its glory. It is truly amazing to look at. And the information provided is just fascinating. We find out about the connection of trees with humans and animals, to the ways in which trees communicate with one another. And there is just so much rich and detailed history and science about trees that is shared in this book - it makes for such a fun and informative read. I loved the book! Definitely one of my favorite reads.

I would happily recommend Into The Forest to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read, or looking for a cool coffee table book to gift to a friend - this book is it! Check it out!!

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

Octopus, Seahorse, Jellyfish by David Liittschwager

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

In this mesmerizing book of photography, acclaimed photographer David Liittschwager reveals the unnerving beauty of three notoriously mysterious sea creatures--the jellyfish, octopus, and seahorse--and how they perceive the world. 

The jellyfish, the octopus, and the seahorse are among the most wondrous species on Earth--as well as some of the most difficult to document using traditional photography methods. Enter celebrated photographer David Liittschwager, who has spent decades developing specialized portraiture techniques to capture these creatures’ pulsating bioluminescence, translucent bodies, and ethereal movements. 

This luminous collection showcases 200 of Liittschwager’s most revealing photographs, paired with penetrating essays that explain how a creature without a brain or without bones perceives the world. Bestselling science writers Elizabeth Kolbert, Jennifer Holland, and Olivia Judson explain the biology and advanced cognitive abilities of these spineless denizens of the deep, exquisitely evoking their unnerving yet undeniable charisma. In these pages, you’ll glimpse a seahorse only half an inch tall, a moon jelly spinning off a snowflake-shaped clone, and the blinking comb jelly, which may be the most ancient living animal on Earth. 

Both enlightening and profound, this enchanting book documents the expanding frontiers of marine science, creating a powerful testament to the value and beauty of these little-seen--and endangered--species.

my thoughts:

Wow! Just, wow! David Liittschwager has created a beautiful book titled: Octopus, Seahorse, Jellyfish for National Geographic.  His photography is stunning. Flipping through the pages of this gorgeous tome, you won't be able to stop staring at the wonderfully unique shots he was able to capture of the ocean's most mysterious sea creatures. It is truly captivating! I loved looking through this book on a lazy Sunday afternoon and reading essays about the octopus, seahorse, and jellyfish. Talk about an illuminating read.

I would happily recommend Octopus, Seahorse, Jellyfish to fans of National Geographic and to anyone looking for a book to get lost in - you will love reading about marine life under the sea. 

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!
 

The 21st Century: Photographs From The Image Collection by National Geographic

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

The best photographs of the first 21 years of the 21st century take center stage in this incredible volume of National Geographic's world-famous imagery.

In just two short decades of the 21st century, National Geographic has ushered in a new era of visual storytelling excellence, including innovations in digital, drone, and smartphone photography, and reached out to a global audience through one of the world's most popular Instagram accounts, @NatGeo. In these 21 years, photography has transformed from a rarefied discipline to a universal medium of communication, available in the palm of everyone with a mobile phone. Through it all, National Geographic has remained at the forefront, shining a light on the beauty, wonder, and heartbreak of the world. 
A remarkable collection, The 21st Century culls more than 250 of the very best, most impactful National Geographic images across print, digital, and social media, celebrating:

Extraordinary wildlife
Unique cultures around the world
Beautiful landscapes
One-of-a-kind portrait photography
And behind-the-shot stories from celebrated National Geographic photographers like Joel Sartore, Nick Nichols, Jodi Cobb, Anand Varma, and Evgenia Arbugaeva.

Spanning the remarkable moments year-by-year from 2000 to 2021, The 21st Century is a beautiful, giftable, and important record of our rapidly changing world--a treasury you'll want to keep on the coffee table and turn to again and again

my thoughts:

Wow! National Geographic has created the ultimate photograph book with The 21st Century: Photographs From The Image Collection - it is spectacular! Spanning the first twenty-one years of the twenty-first century, this awesome book contains the most amazing photographs of our beautiful and diverse world in all its glory - the good and the bad moments in history, the unique terrain we travel thousands of miles to hike, and the unbelievable animals that pounce on their prey. It is jaw-dropping, breathtaking, and so inspiring. You will not be able to stop turning the pages and immersing yourself in these photographs. Plus, we get to see how much has changed in the world of photography - cameras, drones, digital photography, social media, etc. - talk about groundbreaking technology!

I LOVED this book to bits! I can't wait to share it with friends and family - it is going to make a fantastic gift. Definitely check it out and see for yourself how excellent the photography in this awesome book really is - you will be AMAZED! Then again, National Geographic never disappoints. 

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

America The Beautiful: A Story In Photographs by National Geographic

 

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

This glorious book of photography, featuring more than 200 magnificent National Geographic images of all 50 states, is a gift-worthy celebration of America’s unique natural and cultural treasures.

America the Beautiful showcases the stunning spaces closest to our nation’s heart–from the woods in the Great Appalachian Valley that Davy Crockett once called home to the breathtaking sweep of California’s Big Sur coast to the wilds of Alaska. It also celebrates the people who have made this country what it is, featuring a wide range of images including the Arikara Nation in the early 1900s and scientists preparing for travel to Mars on a Hawaiian island. Culled from more than 130 years of National Geographic’s vaunted archives, this provocative collection depicts the splendor of this great nation as only National Geographic can, with a dramatic combination of modern and historical imagery–from the creation of architectural icons like the Golden Gate Bridge and Lady Liberty to the last of the country’s wild places currently preserved in our national parks.

Organized by chapters focused on region (west coast and the Pacific, east coast, the south, and the Midwest) that are themselves inspired by verses of the original poem America the Beautiful, this book also features a moving introduction offering perspective on the country’s unique journey. You’ll also find behind-the-scenes commentary from the world-renowned photographers who captured this unforgettable imagery, and observations from the conservationists, activists, and historians who help keep America beautiful today. Profound and inspiring, this is a book for everyone who has ever marveled at the beauty of the United States.

my thoughts:

Wow! America The Beautiful by National Geographic is AMAZING!! I am in LOVE with this book. It is going to be prominently displayed on my coffee table forevermore. This is a book that I know everyone will want to flip through and get lost in - it is seriously that beautiful. National Geographic never disappoints and this time round they hit it out of the park. This gorgeous book is filled to the brim with fantastic photographs of America and its divided by region, so you get to armchair travel throughout the entire country.  There are tidbits and observations included by the photographers, activists, and historians. It's fascinating and breathtaking. You can't help but be in awe of the vastness of America and the diversity of it. It is truly beautiful.  I enjoyed turning the pages and getting swept away to parts of the country that I've never been to, but now want to visit. This is a book you want to get your hands on - it's just so amazing! You have to experience it for yourself. 

I would definitely recommend National Geographic's latest tome, America The Beautiful: A Story In Photographs to everyone - it is an excellent book that you won't want to miss out on. 

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: America The Beautiful

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

Women: The National Geographic Image Collection

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

This powerful photography collection, drawn from the celebrated National Geographic archive, reveals the lives of women from around the globe, accompanied by revelatory new interviews and portraits of contemporary trailblazers including Oprah Winfrey, Jane Goodall, and Christiane Amanpour.

#MeToo. #GirlBoss. Time’s Up. From Silicon Valley to politics and beyond, women are reshaping our world. Now, in anticipation of the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment, this bold and inspiring book from National Geographic mines 130 years of photography to showcase their past, their present, and their future. With 300+ stunning images from more than 50 countries, each page of this glorious book offers compelling testimony about what it means to be female, from historic suffragettes to the haunting, green-eyed “Afghan girl.”

Organized around chapter themes like grit, love, and joy, the book features brand-new commentary from a wide swath of luminaries including Laura Bush, Gloria Allred, Roxane Gay, Melinda Gates, New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern, and the founders of the #MeToo and Black Lives Matter movements. Each is accompanied by a bold new portrait, shot by acclaimed NG photographer Erika Larsen. The ultimate coffee table book, this iconic collection provides definitive proof that the future is female.

my thoughts:

Oh my, gorgeousness! Women by The National Geographic Image Collection is beyond stunning.  I fell in so deep with this beautiful tome chock full of images of women from all over the world.  These photographs captured so much emotion, history, and livelihood - they were brilliant. I spent days with this book, just pouring over the each picture and finding myself smiling, tearing up and just taking it all in. The strength and fortitude of women is crystal clear throughout the book and I just loved that. Women is one book you most definitely don't want to miss out on. It is truly special and makes for quite the reading experience. I absolutely LOVED it to bits. And, I can't wait to share it with loved ones - I just know they are going to enjoy looking through this book and placing it front and center on their coffee tables.

I would happily recommend Women to fans of National Geographic and anyone interested in their next great read - you will LOVE this book!!

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: Women

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

Epic Journeys: 245 Life-Changing Adventures by National Geographic

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

From rafting the Zambezi River’s 23 stomach-flipping rapids to hiking the Inca trail and sailing from island to island in Greece, the travel experts at National Geographic reveal the world’s best adventures in this stunning–and practical–treasury.

From navigating the class-five rapids of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon to sandboarding the slopes of a volcano in Nicaragua to dogsledding in the Arctic, this beautiful and comprehensive book offers trips of a lifetime for explorers and adrenaline junkies alike. Filled with more than 300 vivid photographs, this inspirational guide reveals over 225 of the planet’s best destinations for hikers, skiers, divers, rafters, and more. You’ll also find everything you need to know for the ultimate epic journey: what to see, when to go, and what to do. Combining adventure with cultural experiences–for example, a safari through Madagascar or visiting the ruins of Buddhist temples after sea kayaking the warm waters of Vietnam–this one-of-a-kind collection, complemented by top ten lists and adventurer essays covering everything from the best hiking trails to the top wildlife parks, will lead you to new heights of exploration.

my thoughts:

If you have a bucket list chock full of travel destinations to visit, then this book is for you. National Geographic's latest tome is all about Epic Journeys.  Yep, 245 Life-Changing Adventures to be exact.  How awesome does that sound?  Plus, you know when it comes to National Geographic they are going to provide it all - photos, itineraries, and top ten lists.  And, did I mention the photos. Oh my, they are beyond amazing! Just flipping through this fantastic travel book, you can't help but get lost in the photos and imagine the adventures you would go on when visiting these places.  I'm taking about photos of hiking in Bolivia, water rafting in Thailand, and biking around the Transylvanian Alps - how exciting and thrilling does that sound? Along with all the brilliant photos are fascinating essays about the places by some of National Geographic's legendary explorers - so, you just know you are going to be in for quite a treat reading what they have to say about these beautiful destinations. 

Epic Journeys is the perfect book to inspire you to pack your bags and head off on an epic adventure.  You can't help but jot down new additions to your ever-growing bucket list.  Plus, the book itself makes for a fun a way to wile away the afternoon. I'm serious, just looking through the photos and reading the essays and lists, you can't help but get caught up in the extraordinary beauty that makes up this world we live in.  It is just brilliant.  And, did I mention that this book will settle nicely on your coffee table - ready to be picked up and thumbed through whenever your eye happens to rest upon it. I'm thinking it would make the perfect Christmas gift for a loved one who's been bitten by the travel bug - they would just LOVE this book to bits.  How could they not? 

I'm happy to recommend Epic Journeys to fans of National Geographic's awesome travel books and to anyone looking for their next great adventure read - you are going to truly LOVE this book!!

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

Learning to See: A Novel by Elise Hooper

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

“Written with grace, empathy, and bright imagination, Learning to See gives us the vivid interior life of a remarkably resilient woman. Dorothea Lange’s story is about passion and art, love and family, but also about the sacrifices women make—and have always made—to illuminate the truth of the world.” —Danya Kukafka, national bestselling author of Girl in Snow

Learning to See is a gripping account of the Dorothea Lange, the woman behind the camera who risked everything for art, activism, and love.
In 1918, a fearless twenty-two-year old arrives in bohemian San Francisco from the Northeast, determined to make her own way as an independent woman. Renaming herself Dorothea Lange she is soon the celebrated owner of the city’s most prestigious and stylish portrait studio and wife of the talented but volatile painter, Maynard Dixon.

By the early 1930s, as America’s economy collapses, her marriage founders and Dorothea must find ways to support her two young sons single-handedly. Determined to expose the horrific conditions of the nation’s poor, she takes to the road with her camera, creating images that inspire, reform, and define the era. And when the United States enters World War II, Dorothea chooses to confront another injustice—the incarceration of thousands of innocent Japanese Americans.

At a time when women were supposed to keep the home fires burning, Dorothea Lange, creator of the most iconic photographs of the 20^th century, dares to be different. But her choices came at a steep price…

my thoughts:

What a fantastic book! I absolutely LOVED it!! I'm a huge fan of historical fiction, so I was excited to get the chance to review Elise Hooper's latest novel, Learning to See: A Novel of Dorothea Lange, the Woman Who Revealed the Real America.  Let me just say - AMAZING!! This book was such a treat to read - history, art, and America - what more could I want, right? How about a badass photographer named Dorothea Lange who set out to capture images portraying the real lives of the impoverished Americans and the interned Japanese.  Yep, this book tells us all about it and it is superb.

Learning to See is the fictionalized story of famed photographer, Dorothea Lange.  A woman who's work captured an important part of American history - the plight of the poor and the interned Japanese - the Great Depression and WWII.  She showed the world what people were truly experiencing - how they were living, working, and just trying to survive.  In this captivating story we get to see Lange start out and find her passion.  We read about her marriage and family - the difficulties of trying to balance it all.  And, we see how she struggles to raise her children, support them, and continue to pursue her passion of photography.  Such a great story of an American talent.

Hooper has written a captivating novel that you can't help but fall in love with.  The rich details provide a full, engaging history of Lange's life.  Her perspective is clear, driven, and personal.  I just loved diving into this book in the evenings and getting lost in a different era of American history - it was such a treat. I would happily recommend this book to fans of Hooper and Lange - you will LOVE this novel so much!!

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: Learning to See

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

Spectacle: Rare And Astonishing Photographs by National Geographic

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

An exquisite photo collection showcasing awe-inducing moments from around the world, including the aurora borealis, cities made of neon lights, a great wildebeest migration, a contortionist on display–and more.

In life, there are certain sights that are as beautiful as they are unforgettable–from a majestic supercell to the secrets of a deep blue ice cave to the world’s largest library. These fascinating spectacles shock us in their diversity, their complexity, and their epic scale, bringing us the miraculous beauty of our planet. Featuring more than 200 color images, including acclaimed photography from the National Geographic Image Collection, this volume presents a dazzling array of natural and manmade wonders, unusual phenomena, and amusing curiosities. Each page will enlighten and inspire, presenting our world at its best.

my thoughts:

Wow. National Geographic has done it again.  Another awesome book chock full of beautiful photographs capturing nature, cities, and people.  It is simply breathtaking. I mean it, this book will just "wow" you.  I found myself sipping a cuppa and flipping through the pages of this coffee table sized book and just thinking, "Wow!"  I was truly amazed at the photographers' abilities to capture action shots and close-ups that seemed to breathe life with such a vibrancy - I was mesmerized.

Spectacle has a variety of images from all over the world, which makes it thrilling to look at.  You feel as if you are traveling to different places as you turn the pages.  This book inspires and teaches- it is such an excellent tome to get lost in.  I absolutely enjoyed spending time with it. Poring over stunning photographs that are colorful, rich, and vivid was such a treat.  This is one book that I will happily look through again and again.  And, it is a book that I know will make for a terrific holiday gift.  I can't wait to share it with family and friends.

I would happily recommend Spectacle to fans of National Geographic, fans of photography, and fans of coffee table books - you will LOVE this book to bits!

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tours schedule for: Spectacle

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

Journeys of a Lifetime: Second Edition by National Geographic

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

Featuring 120 new destinations, this best-selling inspirational travel guide reveals 500 celebrated and lesser-known destinations around the globe, from ocean cruises in Antarctica to horse treks in the Andes. Completely revised and updated for its 10th anniversary.

Compiled from the favorite trips of National Geographic’s legendary travel writers, this fully updated, 10th anniversary edition of Journeys of a Lifetime spans the globe to highlight the best of the world’s most celebrated and lesser-known sojourns. Offering a diverse array of possibilities, every continent and possible form of transport is covered, illustrated with glorious color photographs. With 16 new pages; new destinations like Cartegena, Colombia; and updated information throughout, this timely new edition is the perfect resource for travelers who crave adventurous trips–from trekking the heights of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to mountain biking in Transylvania–and those searching for more specific experiences (the world’s top small cruises, hot new museums around the world, secrets for following in the footsteps of film and TV heroes, and more). Each chapter features stunning photography, full-color maps, and practical tips, including how to get there, when to visit, and how to make the most of your journey.

Informative and inspiring, this luxurious volume is a lifelong resource that readers will treasure for years to come.

my thoughts:

If travel is your bag, then this gorgeous book from National Geographic is for you. Journeys of a Lifetime is a giant travel guide (perfect for coffee tables) that is chock full of beautiful photographs, fascinating tidbits about dream destinations, the how-tos on ways to travel, and so much more. This lovely book will have you fantasizing about all the trips you never knew you wanted to take.  

The detailed descriptions of all the exciting things to-do in these 500 trips are just beyond - think surf school in Hawaii to a Champagne Tour in France to stalking the "Big Five" in Botswana (a country I would love to visit after reading all of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books).  There are just so many amazing destinations in the world waiting to be visited and experienced - it is unbelievable! I couldn't help but be reminded of just how big the world really is and how much it has to offer. And so, I found myself thinking of a travel bucket list - how could I not?

This awesome list of lifetime trips was created by National Geographic's legendary travel writers; which means that all of these trips going to be fun, thrilling, and unforgettable.  The list is diverse and offers all of the various types of transportation options available.  Plus, these trips are for everyone - meaning, they cater to wine lovers to thrill seekers.  This is one book you won't want to put down.  I couldn't stop flipping through it and planning out dream vacations for me, my family, and friends.  I just LOVED this book to bits!! And I know that you will LOVE it, too. 

I would happily recommend Journeys of a Lifetime to fans of travel and National Geographic - you won't want to miss out on this fantastic book!

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: Journeys of a Lifetime

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

Find Momo: Coast to Coast by Andrew Knapp

(Thank you to Quirk Books for providing me with a copy of this book!)

Look who's back!?! That adorable pooch named Momo!  Yep, Andrew Knapp is at it again - photographing his playful pup all over the the US and Canada.  This time round they head from coast to coast stopping off at some of the MOST amazing landmarks - think the White House and the French Quarter in New Orleans.  Plus, a lot of other quirky and cool spots off the beaten track.  Knapp's colorful and vivid photographs really capture the essence of each pit stop, along with providing a "Where's, Waldo?" experience - Momo is hidden in each photo.  How cool and fun is that?

I had an absolute blast flipping through this book and getting lost in these fantastic photos.  Searching for Momo in each picture was such a treat.  I have to admit that I couldn't find him in all of the photos - he's just really enmeshed in the scene or background.  Of course, that's the fun in the book - spending time poring over the photos and looking for Momo.  I know that I'll definitely be dipping in and out of this book for quite some time.

I would definitely recommend Find Momo: Coast to Coast to fans of Knapp's popular Instagram feed (andrewknapp) and his first book, Find Momo.  You will just LOVE this book!!