I saw this book in my library's e-newsletter and requested online. Expecting a typical hardcover memoir I was surprised to pick up what is closer to a coffee table book. Large, full color photos throughout was very welcome in the winter, particularly because the author is fond of stylish markets and beaches (and the handsome men found around the world) ... which also play well on Instagram I am sure. Despite being published by National Geographic there is a lot of text - it probably is a full, though short, travel journal around all the photos. I felt there were three distinct sections: Nabongo's early travels as vacations and family visits, her shift to living and working (and vacationing) around the globe, and finally her decision and implementation to visit every country in the world. This is partly because the book is set out chronologically by first country visit, though any travel in that country is included so there is some bouncing around story-wise. There are detailed descriptions of people and places (I get the feeling she journaled, from the memories and occasional repetition), some introspection and life advice, a few travel tips and mostly just communicating her love of travel and desire for everyone to set off on their own. Her particularly unique perspective comes from her American upbringing and Ugandan heritage. In different countries she was received as a fellow African (for good and ill) or a strange visitor or a potential threat. Sometimes also a wealthy American, popular influencer, or friend of a local. I actually think her most unique attribute is her personality. She began her career as a pharmaceutical rep and I have found them to be incredibly outgoing but also instantly likeable - her writing seems to back that up, which is also a pleasant read.Not a memoir, not full travel writing, mainly an expanded Instagram posting for each country she decided to include.
by Jessica Nabongo
3 stars
I saw this book in my library's e-newsletter and requested online. Expecting a typical hardcover memoir I was surprised to pick up what is closer to a coffee table book. Large, full color photos throughout was very welcome in the winter, particularly because the author is fond of stylish markets and beaches (and the handsome men found around the world) ... which also play well on Instagram I am sure. Despite being published by National Geographic there is a lot of text - it probably is a full, though short, travel journal around all the photos. I felt there were three distinct sections: Nabongo's early travels as vacations and family visits, her shift to living and working (and vacationing) around the globe, and finally her decision and implementation to visit every country in the world. This is partly because the book is set out chronologically by first country visit, though any travel in that country is included so there is some bouncing around story-wise. There are detailed descriptions of people and places (I get the feeling she journaled, from the memories and occasional repetition), some introspection and life advice, a few travel tips and mostly just communicating her love of travel and desire for everyone to set off on their own. Her particularly unique perspective comes from her American upbringing and Ugandan heritage. In different countries she was received as a fellow African (for good and ill) or a strange visitor or a potential threat. Sometimes also a wealthy American, popular influencer, or friend of a local. I actually think her most unique attribute is her personality. She began her career as a pharmaceutical rep and I have found them to be incredibly outgoing but also instantly likeable - her writing seems to back that up, which is also a pleasant read.Not a memoir, not full travel writing, mainly an expanded Instagram posting for each country she decided to include.