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Social Entrepreneurship and Tourism
by Pauline J. Sheldon Roberto DanieleThis volume explores the links between the rapidly growing phenomenon of social entrepreneurship (SE) and the international tourism and hospitality industry. This unique industry is particularly ripe for transformation by SE and the book's authors delve deeply into the reasons for this. The book has three parts. The first creates a conceptual and theoretical framework for understanding the uniqueness of SE in the tourism context. The second examines different communities of practice where SE is being applied in tourism. The third is a rich collection of case studies from eight countries where tourism SE is already having an impact. The book's authors address the topic from many different angles, disciplinary backgrounds and geographic areas. Many case study authors are practicing social entrepreneurs who share their successes, challenges and experience with tourism-related projects. The book also proposes a research agenda and educational programmatic changes needed to support tourism SE. As these are developed, tourism SE will bring innovation to destinations, transformation of their economic and social structures, and contribution to a better world. The book has many insights and resources for scholars and practitioners alike to usher in this transformation.
Social Entrepreneurship in Hospitality: Principles and Strategies for Change
by Willy Legrand Miguel Angel Gardetti Robert Schønrock Nielsen Colin Johnson Mehmet ErgulThis innovative book is the first to explore social entrepreneurship in the field of hospitality, introducing students to the principles of social entrepreneurship motivation, finance, sustainability, issues and challenges, and how these can be successfully implemented in a range of hospitality settings. The hospitality industry offers a particularly fruitful framework for social entrepreneurs, partly due to the low barriers of entry and opportunities to enhance social and environmental wealth. A variety of international case studies are integrated throughout to showcase the challenges and successes of social entrepreneurship in the hospitality industry in a wide range of settings. Discussion questions, further reading suggestions and exercises at the end of each chapter help the student to explore these concepts further. Insights into the industry’s role during and potentially beyond the COVID-19 crisis are offered in the concluding chapter. The is a timely addition to the literature, written by a team of highly regarded professionals and academics, and will be essential reading for all current and future entrepreneurs in the field of Hospitality Management.
The Social Life of Coffee: The Emergence of the British Coffeehouse
by Brian CowanThe Social Life of Coffee refers extensively to early modern source material in various media, printed, manuscript, and visual.
The Social Life of Ink
by Ted BishopA rich and imaginative discovery of how ink has shaped culture and why it is here to stay Ink is so much a part of daily life that we take it for granted, yet its invention was as significant as the wheel. Ink not only recorded culture, it bought political power, divided peoples, and led to murderous rivalries. Ancient letters on a page were revered as divine light, and precious ink recipes were held secret for centuries. And, when it first hit markets not so long ago, the excitement over the disposable ballpoint pen equalled that for a new smartphone--with similar complaints to the manufacturers. Curious about its impact on culture, literature, and the course of history, Ted Bishop sets out to explore the story of ink. From Budapest to Buenos Aires, he traces the lives of the innovators who created the ballpoint pen--revolutionary technology that still requires exact engineering today. Bishop visits a ranch in Utah to meet a master ink-maker who relishes igniting linseed oil to make traditional printers' ink. In China, he learns that ink can be an exquisite object, the subject of poetry, and a means of strengthening (or straining) family bonds. And in the Middle East, he sees the world's oldest Qur'an, stained with the blood of the caliph who was assassinated while reading it. An inquisitive and personal tour around the world, The Social Life of Ink asks us to look more closely at something we see so often that we don't see it at all.
Social Media and Crisis Communication in the Cruise Industry: Analysing the Effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic (International Series in Advanced Management Studies)
by Ginevra TestaThis academic monograph examines the crisis communication response strategies employed by the cruise industry on social media following the COVID-19 pandemic. Focusing on social media platform X, the author conducted a content analysis of the top three cruise lines' strategies using NVivo software and assessed public sentiment and emotions through comments using KNIME and R software. The findings identify the most effective strategies for generating positive public sentiment and favourable emotions, contributing to faster business recovery. The book enhances Situational Crisis Communication Theory and offers practical guidance for managers to improve crisis resilience in the face of crises of such magnitude and duration. This work uniquely combines corporate and consumer perspectives to assess the effectiveness of crisis communication.
Social Media im Tourismusmarketing: Wie Urlaubsanbieter in sozialen Medien Sichtbarkeit und Direktbuchungen steigern
by André GebelDieses Buch erklärt, wie Hotels, Regionen, Airlines und weitere touristische Anbieter mithilfe von Social Media höhere Sichtbarkeit, mehr Empfehlungen, mehr Direktbuchungen und somit mehr Gewinn erzielen können. Durch die Angebotstransparenz im Internet wird der Feriengast zum vermeintlich besten Angebot geführt, was sinkende Margen und steigende Abhängigkeit für die Reisebranche zur Folge hat. Zwar galt Social Media schon früher als Erfolgsrezept für die margenschwache Tourismusindustrie, doch vereinzelte Facebook-Posts und ein vernachlässigter Instagram-Account geben noch kein eigenständiges Profil ab – und bewegen keinen potenziellen Urlauber zur Direktbuchung.Anhand von anschaulichen Praxisbeispielen zeigt der Autor in diesem Buch, wie Tourismusanbieter Social Media professionell und strukturiert für Direktbuchungen nutzen können, welche Rolle Mitarbeiter und Influencer spielen, was die einzelnen Kanäle genau leisten und wie man mit außergewöhnlichem Storytelling Auslastungen jenseits der 90-Prozent-Marke erreicht. Ein Buch für alle Player der Reisebranche, die ihr Profil schärfen, ihre Margen vergrößern und neue Marketingkanäle entdecken wollen, um auch künftig wettbewerbsfähig zu bleiben.
Social Media in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality: Theory, Practice and Cases (New Directions in Tourism Analysis)
by Evangelos ChristouSocial media is fundamentally changing the way travellers and tourists search, find, read and trust, as well as collaboratively produce information about tourism suppliers and tourism destinations. Presenting cutting-edge theory, research and case studies investigating Web 2.0 applications and tools that transform the role and behaviour of the new generation of travellers, this book also examines the ways in which tourism organisations reengineer and implement their business models and operations, such as new service development, marketing, networking and knowledge management. Written by an international group of researchers widely known for their expertise in the field of the Internet and tourism, chapters include applications and case studies in various travel, tourism and leisure sectors.
Social Media Marketing in Tourism and Hospitality
by Roberta MinazziThis book describes ongoing developments in social media within the tourism and hospitality sector, highlighting impacts on both the demand and the supply side. It offers a combination of theory and practice, with discussion of real-life business experiences. The book is divided into three parts, the first of which provides an overview of recent trends in social media and user-generated content, clarifies concepts that are often used in an overlapping way and examines the "digitization of word of mouth" via online networks. The second part analyzes the impacts that social media can have on traveler behavior for each step in the travel process and also on suppliers, highlighting opportunities, threats and strategies. In the third part of the book, future potential trends deriving from the mobile marketing technologies are explored and possible methods for social monitoring by means of key performance indicators are examined. It is considered how engaging customers and prospects by means of social media might increase customer loyalty, foster electronic word-of-mouth communication, and consequently have important effects on corporate sales and revenues. The discussion encompasses methods to measure company performance on each of the social media in order to understand the optimal mix that will support and improve business strategies.
Social Memory and Heritage Tourism Methodologies (Contemporary Geographies of Leisure, Tourism and Mobility)
by Stephen P. Hanna Amy E. Potter E. Arnold Modlin Perry Carter David L. ButlerThe examination of social memory and heritage tourism has grown considerably over the past few decades as scholars have critically re-examined the relationships between past memories and present actions at international, national, and local scales. Methodological innovation and reflection have accompanied theoretical advances as researchers strive to understand representations, experiences, thoughts, emotions and identities of the various actors involved in the reproduction of social memory and heritage landscapes.Social Memory and Heritage Tourism Methodologies describes and demonstrates innovations – including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches – for analysing the process and politics of remembering and touring the past through place. An introductory chapter looks at the history of social memory and heritage tourism research and the particular challenges posed by these fields of study. In subsequent chapters, the reader is lead through the varying methodologies employed by presenting them in the context of an in-depth case study from range of geographical locations. The resulting volume showcases innovative research in social memory and heritage tourism and provides the reader with insights into how they can successfully conduct their own research while avoiding common pitfalls. This title will be useful reading for scholars, professionals and students in tourism, geography, anthropology and museum studies who are preparing to conduct research on the reproduction of social memory in particular landscapes and places or are interested in investigating heritage tourism practices and representations.
Social Responsibility in Tourism: Applications, Best-Practices, and Case Studies (Tourism on the Verge)
by Martina Pásková Josef ZelenkaThis monograph offers a comprehensive examination of responsible tourism, meticulously deconstructing the core tenets of socio-cultural, environmental, and economic accountability within the framework of sustainable tourism. The work underscores the intrinsic significance of local attributes, emphasizing their pivotal role in shaping responsible practices. Guiding through the intricate terrain of challenges and opportunities inherent in integrating responsible paradigms within the dynamic tourism sector, the authors introduce a prescriptive implementation framework. This framework steers tourism stakeholders towards equilibrium, enabling present actions to safeguard and augment conditions for sustainable future development. Rooted in scholarly depth, augmented by synoptic diagrams and references to supplementary resources, the book converges into an analysis of concrete instances—illustrative case studies, products, and applications—demonstrating the embodiment of social responsibility in tourism's fabric. By spotlighting both successful and adverse examples, the monograph underscores the vital interplay of environmental, economic, and socio-cultural dimensions, encapsulating the essence of responsible tourism's enduring impact.
Social Sustainability and the Employee: Labor, Employment Relations, and the Hospitality Industry (Routledge Research in Employment Relations)
by Piotr Zientara Joanna Adamska Monika BąkThis research monograph delves into the pressing issue of employee-centered social sustainability in the hospitality industry. Through empirical studies and content analysis of CSR reports, it highlights the significant challenges faced by frontline hospitality workers – such as low wages, job insecurity, limited union representation, and employer resistance to unionization.Offering a thorough, evidence-based examination, the monograph provides a comprehensive analysis of the employee dimension of social sustainability. It explores the critical role of organizational support, the fear of unionizing, and their impact on key outcomes like employee well-being and industry turnover intentions. The work also proposes a tailored framework for addressing employee needs at different stages of their careers, advancing the goal of "decent work" within the industry.Ideal for scholars and researchers in workforce studies, hospitality, and tourism, this volume offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of labor practices and social sustainability. It serves as a vital resource for those seeking to foster employee-centered CSR initiatives. Policymakers, industry professionals, and advocates for improved labor conditions in hospitality will also find this book informative and thought-provoking, with actionable strategies for promoting social responsibility across the sector.
Social Tourism: Global Challenges and Approaches
by Anya Diekmann Lynn Minnaert Neil Carr Elisabete Figueiredo Scott McCabe Dr Maria João Carneiro Raija Komppula Elisa Alén González Zorana Medaric Helena Alvelos Trinidad Domínguez Vila Adriana E. Estrada-González Celeste Eusébio Janja Gabruc Konstantinos I Kakoudakis Elisabeth Kastenholz Nieves Losada Sánchez Cátia Loureiro Michel Xavier Katerina Papadoulaki Mariana Pedrosa Rutherford Gill Fathimath Shiraani Elli VentoSocial tourism - the practice of offering programmes, events and activities to enable disadvantaged population groups to enjoy tourism - is of increasing interest to academia. Beginning with an introduction to the social tourism concept, its relevance and target groups, this book then provides reflections about emerging topics case studies of programmes in action across Europe, Oceania and the Americas. It considers the tourism experience from the point of view of young people, families, senior citizens and people with disabilities, before covering the impacts of social tourism initiatives on both participants and tourism destinations. It concludes by reflecting on the practical challenges and policy implications emerging from theory and practice, highlighting common challenges and identifying guidelines for designing social tourism initiatives. This book: Covers the challenges faced by the sector and the relevance of promoting tourism programmes for disadvantaged groups of society. Promotes research that bridges theory and practice, permitting the identification of guidelines for more effective social tourism initiatives. Includes case studies from around the world to provide a global perspective. An important read for researchers of tourism, social inclusion and accessibility, this book will therefore also be of interest to students and practitioners of these areas.
Social Tourism in Europe
by Lynn Minneart Scott MccabeThis book, the first on social tourism in English, provides a comprehensive analysis of the various systems and practices in support of disadvantaged people's enjoyment of tourism. Combining theory and practice and a truly European perspective, this book provides an interdisciplinary approach to examine the concepts and contexts underpinning social tourism that will be a key reference point for students, practitioners and researchers. Theoretical perspectives on social tourism are assessed in the context of social inequality, sustainability, family diversity, mobility and the welfare society. The case studies cover public initiatives, charities and voluntary organisations, from a range of different countries including the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Denmark and Poland, covering the diversity of systems and practices in Europe.
A Social View of Socotra Island: People, Culture, Heritage
by Nataša Slak Valek Ahmad Abdelmoniem ZedanThis book focuses on Socotra Island, geographically based in Yemen, and aims to explore the island from the social sciences point of view. This book focuses on people indigenous to Socotra, Socotri cultures, heritage and also offers contributions from business, tourism, linguistic, communication, and anthropology. While a lot has been published in natural science about Socotra’s endemic species, biodiversity, and nature in general, social scientific research of the island is very limited. This book addresses therefore addresses this gap and explores various topics of tourism, behaviours, cultures, and language.This book focuses on a clear social science approach of Socotra. The purpose of this book is to publish research about the people, behaviors, heritage, and potential tourism of Socotra. The Socotra Archipelago has long been a land of mystery. It is unknown as a tourism destination for many, however, is a popular destination for adventurers, photographers and travelers who like to travel to remote and undeveloped places. This book explains how Socotra has limited resources of electricity, which is provided by diesel generators, Internet is very slow and limited to certain points on the island. There are no shopping malls or five-star hotels. Roads, schools, and hospitals have been built only recently. This book shoes how these island people do not know the development as we do, which makes it principally interesting to research. Previous interviewers of Socotri people about tourism development in the island have faced many challenges such as language barriers, lack of understanding the meanings and interviewing content, lack of support for the anticipated research results. This book successfully undertakes this challenge as not only in understanding the language, but understanding phenomena like e.g. tourism. Whilst acknowledging the ways in which indigenous island people have never travelled or seen a developed city. Thus, words like ‘developed’, ‘tourism destination’ or ‘washing machine’ may be unfamiliar terms for them. Therefore, new and innovative research methods that are sensitive to Socotra people were implemented in the creation of this book.
Social Work Practice with the Asian American Elderly
by Namkee G ChoiThis fascinating book addresses the cultures and concerns of five major ethnic groups: Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Asian Indian, and Vietnamese. Social Work Practice with the Asian-American Elderly examines the diverse needs of this rapidly growing population. It suggests interventions and service-delivery models that are culturally sensitive and appropriate for these clients, many of whom are first-generation immigrants still closely linked with their cultures of origin. This comprehensive book serves as a timely resource for both researchers and practitioners concerned with this neglected yet rapidly growing segment of the elderly population. Social Work Practice with the Asian-American Elderly offers both quantitative and qualitative research on essential topics, including: migratory grief assimilation depression elderly nutrition programs social support
Socialising Tourism: Rethinking Tourism for Social and Ecological Justice (Contemporary Geographies of Leisure, Tourism and Mobility)
by Freya Higgins-Desbiolles Adam Doering Bobbie Chew BigbyOnce touted as the world’s largest industry and also a tool for fostering peace and global understanding, tourism has certainly been a major force shaping our world. The recent COVID-19 crisis has led to calls to transform tourism and reset it along more ethical and sustainable lines. It was in this context that calls to "socialise tourism" emerged (Higgins-Desbiolles, 2020). This edited volume builds on this work by employing the term Socialising Tourism as a broad conceptual focal point and guiding term for industry, activists and academics to rethink tourism for social and ecological justice. Socialising Tourism means reorienting travel and tourism based on the rights, interests, and safeguarding of traditional ecological and cultural knowledges of local peoples, communities and living landscapes. This means making tourism work for the public good and taking seriously the idea of putting the social and ecological before profit and growth as the world re-emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic. This is an essential first step for tourism to be made accountable to the limits of the planet. Concepts discussed include Indigenous culture, toxic tourism, a "theory of care", dismantling whiteness, decolonial tourism and animal oppression, among others, all in the context of a post-COVID-19 world. This will be essential reading for all upper-level students, academics and policymakers in the field of tourism.
Socialist Dreams and Beauty Queens: A Couchsurfer's Memoir of Venezuela
by Jamie MaslinCouchsurfer, hitchhiker, and rogue wanderer Jamie Maslin embarks on a couchsurfing adventure to the homeland of "firebrand," "populist," "anti-American" president Hugo Chavez: the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Alone in the crime capital of the world Maslin immediately finds himself in trouble-arrested by knife-wielding police officers and inoculated with an unwanted vaccination. After a terrifying start in Caracas, he soon leaves the teeming city and travels to the places tourists never see, staying on the couches of people he befriended online just days earlier, and meeting everyone from fervent social revolutionaries to the country's wealthy elite. He sets off in search of mile-high waterfalls, flat topped jungle plateaus, rolling deserts, and the famous lightning that appears suddenly in the sky with no rain or thunder. Visiting sprawling slums and opulent mansions, Maslin offers a fascinating and timely social, cultural, and histori- cal introduction to a country increasingly in the headlines. Often irreverent, frequently informative, and habitually funny, this is the remarkable account of a young adventurer's journey through a breathtakingly beautiful and dynamic country where the politics of oil and social revolution are never far from the surface. 24 full-color photographs
Socialist Dreams and Beauty Queens: A Couchsurfer?s Adventures in the New Venezuela
by Jamie MaslinCouchsurfer, hitchhiker, and rogue wanderer Jamie Maslin embarks on a couchsurfing adventure to the homeland of "firebrand,” "populist,” "anti-American” president Hugo Chavez: the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Alone in the crime capital of the world Maslin immediately finds himself in trouble-arrested by knife-wielding police officers and inoculated with an unwanted vaccination. After a terrifying start in Caracas, he soon leaves the teeming city and travels to the places tourists never see, staying on the couches of people he befriended online just days earlier, and meeting everyone from fervent social revolutionaries to the country’s wealthy elite. He sets off in search of mile-high waterfalls, flat topped jungle plateaus, rolling deserts, and the famous lightning that appears suddenly in the sky with no rain or thunder. Visiting sprawling slums and opulent mansions, Maslin offers a fascinating and timely social, cultural, and historical introduction to a country increasingly in the headlines.Often irreverent, frequently informative, and habitually funny, this is the remarkable account of a young adventurer’s journey through a breathtakingly beautiful and dynamic country where the politics of oil and social revolution are never far from the surface.
Sociopragmatics of Japanese: Theoretical Implications (Routledge Research in Pragmatics)
by Yasuko Obana Michael HaughObana and Haugh question the extent to which commonly accepted theories in pragmatics can readily explain sociopragmatic phenomena in Japanese. Studies of Japanese in pragmatics have often challenged the cross-linguistic relevance of dominant theories. However, they have also inadvertently perpetuated stereotypes about the Japanese. It is often been assumed, for instance, that Japanese people are less strategic, more polite and more reliant on tacit forms of communication than speakers of other languages. But the Japanese are not as polite as one might think. The aim of this book is thus to question those folk assumptions around politeness, impoliteness, irony and indirectness while at the same time emphasizing that close examination of sociopragmatic phenomena in Japanese yields important empirical insights that combat common theoretical assumptions in pragmatics. The content is structured in three parts, in which the authors highlight a key building block of a theory of sociopragmatics. Part I focuses on indexing through the lens of chapters on honorifics, routine formula and politeness strategies. Part II focuses on evaluating through the lens of chapters on giving/receiving expressions and honorific irony. Finally, Part III focuses on relating through the lens of chapters on joint utterances and off record requests. Throughout the chapters the authors draw attention to ways in which these three dimensions are invariably intertwined in various ways. This book is not simply a collection of studies that promotes our understanding of the sociopragmatics of a particular language, but goes deeper and challenges what many have taken for granted in pragmatics. It proposes a framework for exploring sociopragmatic phenomena, building on the key sociopragmatic axes of indexing, evaluating and relating, and offers fresh new perspectives on time-honoured phenomena in pragmatics. It will interest scholars and postgraduate students in pragmatics, particularly those specializing in: politeness, impoliteness, indirectness and irony. The book explains what Japanese terms mean, and all the Japanese examples are morphologically-glossed. Therefore, teachers (and advanced learners) of Japanese at all levels will benefit from the book as it will enrich their knowledge of the Japanese language.
Socorro
by Baldwin G. BurrThe town of Socorro got its name from the "succor" travelers found at the northern end of a 90-mile-long desert trail known as the Jornada del Muerto, the "Journey of the Dead Man," in central New Mexico. The village of Socorro, located at the site of the ancient 1600s Piro Pueblo, was first settled sometime around 1816 as an agricultural community. The discovery of silver at Socorro Peak and the Magdalena Mountains and the arrival of the railroad in 1880 brought boom times to the town. The demonetization of silver in 1893 was the end of Socorro's boom, and the community gradually reverted to its agricultural heritage. Reminders of days gone by can still be seen in Socorro. The Garcia Opera House, the Crown Mill, the Illinois Brewery, and several historic houses have been successfully preserved.
The Socrates Express: In Search of Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers
by Eric WeinerThe New York Times bestselling author of The Geography of Bliss embarks on a rollicking intellectual journey, following in the footsteps of history&’s greatest thinkers and showing us how each—from Epicurus to Gandhi, Thoreau to Beauvoir—offers practical and spiritual lessons for today&’s unsettled times.We turn to philosophy for the same reasons we travel: to see the world from a different perspective, to unearth hidden beauty, and to find new ways of being. We want to learn how to embrace wonder. Face regrets. Sustain hope. Eric Weiner combines his twin passions for philosophy and travel in a globe-trotting pilgrimage that uncovers surprising life lessons from great thinkers around the world, from Rousseau to Nietzsche, Confucius to Simone Weil. Traveling by train (the most thoughtful mode of transport), he journeys thousands of miles, making stops in Athens, Delhi, Wyoming, Coney Island, Frankfurt, and points in between to reconnect with philosophy&’s original purpose: teaching us how to lead wiser, more meaningful lives. From Socrates and ancient Athens to Beauvoir and 20th-century Paris, Weiner&’s chosen philosophers and places provide important practical and spiritual lessons as we navigate today&’s chaotic times. In a &“delightful&” odyssey that &“will take you places intellectually and humorously&” (San Francisco Book Review), Weiner invites us to voyage alongside him on his life-changing pursuit of wisdom and discovery as he attempts to find answers to our most vital questions. The Socrates Express is &“full of valuable lessons…a fun, sharp book that draws readers in with its apparent simplicity and bubble-gum philosophy approach and gradually pulls them in deeper and deeper&” (NPR).
Soda Lakes of East Africa
by Michael SchagerlThis book is devoted to the alkaline-salinelakes of East Africa, which include the world-famous "flamingo lakes". Itcovers the full range of issues, from the lakes' origin and history, life inand around these unique water bodies, to utilization, threats and managementconsiderations. The authors, all of whom are leading international experts,summarize research done so far, highlight new and important findings, andprovide future outlooks. The book is divided into three main sections:"Genesis, physics and chemistry" tackles lake development and the astoundingphysico-chemistry of the lakes. "Organisms and ecology" presents informationabout the many lake inhabitants, their interactions and adaptations to theextreme living conditions. "Utilization, management and perspectives" addressesthreats such as lake exploitation and pollution, but also considers potentialuses. This book will be particularly relevant to researchers and lecturers inthe field of limnology and aquatic ecology, but is also designed to attract allthose interested in nature and life on our planet.
Sojourns of the Soul
by Dana MicucciSojourns of the Soul differs from other inspirational travel books by providing a rare mix of in-depth wisdom and literary insights from the holistic view of one experienced female traveler. Dana Micucci gives a compelling account of her growing spiritual illumination through visits to some of the most sacred places on earth. Her lively, engaging narrative takes us to seven sites in all: the Australian outback, Angkor in Cambodia, the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, Lhasa in Tibet, Chichen Itza in the Yucatan; the Monastery of Christ in the Desert in New Mexico, and Machu Picchu in Peru.Micucci links each visit with the awakening of a particular chakra- the chakras being the seven energy centers of the body associated in Hinduism with progressive enlightenment. In the afterword, she reflects on how her experiences continue to shape her life after resuming her career as a journalist in New York City: she finds she is more tolerant, can engage in daily activities with more heart-centered awareness, and can sustain states of joy and gratitude for longer periods of time.The book will be a page turner for readers who yearn for long-delayed adventure, with the added benefit that it is not just a journey log but more of a seeker's manual; travel is simply the vehicle. Readers will find that they don't have to travel to far-flung places for the spiritual inspiration available in their everyday lives. As Micucci says, "Each day brings new remembrances of our divinity, of the Divine presence in all beings, and of our eternal connection to each other. I am so grateful to be here NOW . . . with you."
Solace
by Mary SojournerNPR commentator Mary Sojourner, "a pithy yet sensuous, spiritual yet ferocious writer" (Booklist), delivers a powerful memoir about the joys of rejecting the pace, addictions, and false values of society...and learning to live without compromise. Twenty years ago, Mary Sojourner was a mental health consultant and counselor in Rochester, New York, a divorced mother of three, longing for her real work, her real home. She found it in Flagstaff, Arizona, in a remote two-room cabin that had no running water and only a wood stove for heat, but offered Sojourner everything she needed in terms of light, beauty, joy, and the perfect setting for writing and reconnecting. Solace is a book about obsession and release, and the lifelong search for balance in a world revolving around appetite and acceleration. Written in short, beautifully crafted pieces, the book carries the reader through Sojourner's life, from a restrained Catholic childhood to the excesses of her generation, through motherhood and divorce to her quiet, solitary existence in the Southwest, where she has learned the importance of living at the right pace. Sojourner's voice is as compelling on the page as it is on the radio -- lively, funny, moving, combining the outspoken out-of-stepness of Anne Lamott with the environmental activism and poetic prose of Terry Tempest Williams. In chapters with titles such as "God Is Coming and She Is Pissed" and "How to Leave: Leave," her vivid personality, passion, and sense of humor come through. This is a book for women everywhere -- those who recognize their own truths in Mary's life and younger readers who will find inspiration in her hard-won wisdom.
The Solace of Open Spaces
by Gretel EhrlichA stunning collection of personal observations that uses images of the American West to probe larger concerns in lyrical, evocative prose that is a true celebration of the region.