Welcome to Travel Readings

 

Hello,

The idea behind this blog is simple: I travel a lot, sometimes for work, sometimes on holidays and I enjoy reading very much. For a few years, I have been reading books – mainly fiction – which take place in the country or city that I am visiting. When possible, I try to find and go to the places described in the novel, or I am happy to read a chapter that describes an atmosphere, a music or a dish that I have already encountered. The book gives me the opportunity to go beyond the touristic clichés that are too often the lot of short-term visitors. The novel opens for me a window on the country, sometimes on the daily lives of the people, sometimes on its history.

My blog’s aim is to share in a few lines those impressions. I mix memories of the city, the way I approached and perceived it, with what I liked  in the book.

I make no claim to literary critique. If I did not like a novel, I will not write about it. The choice of places is dictated by my trips, recents or older. Often, but not always, I read the novel, in part or completely, during my stay.

I pick the books depending on my tastes, my curiosity, or sometimes because of current events. I have no specific rule for my choices: literary monuments or less known authors, contemporary or older, local or travelling writers. If you think that I could have chosen another author or another book to write about a city or a country, let me know in the comments, and who knows, I might have the pleasure of reading the book you are suggesting.

I write this blog in French and in English, on two different sites. I am francophone, but I live in the US. I hope you will forgive me if my English is not as fluid as I would like it to be. I read in both languages, preferably in the original one. For books written in other languages, I choose the translation which is more readly available. As much as possible, I try to pick books available in both languages.
So, the idea is simple: I invite you to read about the books and the places I love. With some luck, I will encourage you to read a novel that you haven’t read yet or to discover (or re-discover) a new destination. And then I invite you to dialogue with me and let me know about your opinions, suggestions or questions by leaving comments.

Enjoy the reading and the trips!

Damien

 

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