Literary wandering: Pages to capture your imagination in 2018

New year, new you? How about New Year, new books? Make the most of the winter months in 2018 by stocking up on travel reads that nourish your inner explorer and establish literary bliss.

From pictorial pleasures and global culinary creations, to an enlightening look at India’s ravishing heritage, it’s time to clear out your bookshelf and make room for these five captivating finds.

Destinations of a Lifetime by National Geographic

Pictorial pleasures: Destinations of a Lifetime by National Geographic

It’s one thing to read about the charms of a destination, but it’s quite another to behold them with your own two eyes. Natural Geographic addresses this all too common problem with its photography-led volume on the globe’s most surreal sights: from the rust-red curves of Arizona’s Antelope Canyon to the riotous display of Buddhist mural paintings at Sri Lanka’s Golden Temple of Dambulla, this 320-page delight dedicates equal space to both the natural and the man-made. Find inspiration for your next adventure, or simply enjoy a leisurely spot of armchair travel.

 

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

An Indian immersion: The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

Set foot in the hot and humid climate of Kerala before even hitting the runway, with Indian writer Arundhati Roy’s award-winning debut novel. A tale of twins growing up in rural India, The God of Small Things is laced with insights into local politics, religion and the caste system; but moreover, it presents a richly evocative look at everyday life in this southern Indian state. Lose yourself in its pages and you can almost see Kerala’s palm-fringed backwaters unfold before your eyes and feel the fat drops of monsoon rain on your skin.

 

Around the World: The Atlas for Today by Gestalten

Picture perfect: Around the World: The Atlas for Today by Gestalten

Never has the mantra “don’t judge a book by its cover” been more apt. Despite its pared-down exterior, this modern incarnation of an atlas is laden with answers to all the queries you’ve ever had about the world, and plenty more to boot. Depicted entirely through eye-catching infographics, this knowledge-bible explores all manner of topics, from a breezy exposé about different national dinners, to a ‘tree of faith’ exploring how religions intertwine. Now you’ll know all about China’s inventive past and just how happy the Finnish are compared to your neighbours.

 

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

A Window into Spain’s past: The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

Barcelona’s streets may seem familiar, but author Carlos Ruiz Zafón sheds fresh light on this popular Catalonian city with a glimpse into a more sombre – and oft-forgotten – slice of Spain’s past. The novel swings between two worlds: that of protagonist Daniel Sempere, who lives under Franco’s post-war dictatorship, and that of Julián Carax, an author whose domain is pre-war Spain. Part romance, part thriller and part coming-of-age drama, this captivating historical work has won many hearts, rendering it one of the globe’s best-selling books.

 

Where Chefs Eat by Joe Warwick

Around the world in 3,000 meals: Where Chefs Eat by Joe Warwick

Any epicurean will know the burden of making every meal count while travelling: sometimes trusted local sources are hard to come by, and restaurant recommendations can feel like an addendum even in the most thoughtfully curated guidebook. Step forward the culinary tome Where Chefs Eat – because nobody knows food better than the planet’s most accomplished kitchen heroes. Almost a thousand pages are dedicated to fabulous fare in more than 70 countries – from Iberian- influenced molecular cuisine in the backstreets of Lisbon to the no-frills Hong Kong dumpling restaurant you’ve pictured in your dreams.

Discover the journey into a wonderland of the exotic and enigmatic, full of strange fascination on the Luxury Gold Classical India with Nepal journey.

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