Around the World in 22 Books
“The only thing better than a good
travel book is going there yourself. It's just a book, just ink on paper.
But be careful when you open it. There's a universe inside. A good travel
book has wings and the ability to transport us, word by word, tale by
tale. It introduces us to the people and places that make travel—and,
one could argue, life itself—worthwhile. Good travel stories are,
in a word, magic. Not only do they show us the world, they help us define
our place within it.”
National Geographic
It is the policy of Clare County Library
to actively promote the reading habit by increasing access to and awareness
of material via book promotions. In these promotions, readers are provided
with reviews of the relevant titles, ensuring a suitable and enjoyable
read according to one’s choice. Each promotion has an average of
twenty-five carefully selected titles. Multiple copies of these - in paperback
generally - are displayed together in prominent position on tables, similar
to supermarket policy for ‘special offers’ or bookshop display
for lead titles/bargain books. This informal display is undoubtedly part
of the success of the venture. Each promotion is circulated in turn -
for a period of three months - to our branch library network, ensuring
a continuous supply of fresh promotions. Once a promotion has “done
the rounds” of our branch libraries, the books are released into
the general system, and may then be reserved by library members. This
particular promotion aims to bring together a selection of the best in
travel writing, whether well-recognised classics of travel literature
from authors such as
Freya Stark and
Wilfred Thesiger or books that have won prizes such as the
Thomas
Cook Travel Book Award. Due to space limitations, the selection was
limited to one book from each author. We hope that this collection will
capture the hearts of devout armchair travellers as well as enticing those
readers as yet unfamiliar with this genre of writing. For further reading
see
www.longitudebooks.com for a list of the
86
Greatest Travel Books of all Time
and
www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/extras/travellibrary/library.html
for their Ultimate Travel Library.
