Reading Japan: Kyushu Edition!
You know I love a good reading project, and travel is one way that I can delve into a different literature that I may not have picked up otherwise. Spending time in another part of the world, far-flung from my home, inherently expands my worldview. By reading some of the books from my chosen region I get a deeper understanding of the history, culture and, for want of a better word, the vibe of a place. I love to do this before I go; it makes the experience of actually being there just significantly richer. It also has the added bonus of creating extra must-see sights on my trip, sometimes necessitating a mad dash around a city, or instigating a literary scavenger hunt. For example, when I read The Betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni, the Italian classic, I spent an afternoon racing around Milan to visit places that I read about in the book (discover my reading adventure here .) After reading The Divine Comedy , I spend time in Dante's beloved Florence finding plaques around the city ...
