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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
Two single people meet on OKCupid - one who is a wanderer who has trouble with commitment, the other who needs something new in her life but also craves stability. They decide it’s a great idea to travel together to eight countries in three weeks with just their clothes on their back. They learn to cohabitate in this pseudo cultural experiment and sometimes it is exhilirating and enlightening for the couple, and sometimes they just don't get each other. It really needed more description about their travels and less about their issues. It’s a light, slightly interesting read for those that like non-fiction books about lost people doing something kinda crazy. I promise it isn't always as annoying as that sounds (but it sometimes is).
Girl struggling with anxiety and depression meets manic pixie dream boy who inspires in her a greater appreciation for life and living during a three-week whirlwind trip to Europe. The book is about 70% love letter to Jeff, 30% meditation on anxiety and self, with interspaced travel anecdotes.
It wasn't my cup of year, but it might be yours.
It wasn't my cup of year, but it might be yours.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
I was hoping for a short and interesting travel memoir, which this was... but this book also places a pretty strong focus on the complicated relationship between Clara and Jeff and their emotional journey, which was not quite what I was expecting. Clara also talks a lot about her struggles with mental health and this ends up being one of the most interesting facets of the book, but I felt a bit of a disconnect between how she so recently "recovered" from a total breakdown ready to take on such a challenging trip, and faces so little struggles with her anxiety during her travels.
I found the characters annoying at times. I also tried to avoid judging the premise of the no baggage trip too much, but it was hard - a three week trip without packing even a light sweater?! They just slept naked in people's living rooms every night?! That also added an element of petty entertainment for me, but overall this book was meh.
I found the characters annoying at times. I also tried to avoid judging the premise of the no baggage trip too much, but it was hard - a three week trip without packing even a light sweater?! They just slept naked in people's living rooms every night?! That also added an element of petty entertainment for me, but overall this book was meh.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Easy, light read if you’re looking for a little bit of an escape.
The author says she grew up with a "savior complex"... but I'm pretty sure it never stops since she seems to think she knows everything and anyone that she comes across who is not like her is not quite as enlightened. Get over yourself. What a bummer.
Ugh. These two. The conversations and 'witty' banter ring tedious. It's like they are trying to out-clever each other and the reader/listener is the victim. I don't quite believe the conversations happened the way they are written. It all sounds forced to make good copy--unless they truly are this obnoxiously erudite.
No Baggage by Clara Bensen is one of those books that you just can't help but enjoy. Bensen's voice is down to earth, honest, and frank. She tells it like it is and doesn't shy away from things that others might have cut from the retelling of their spontaneous 21-day trip to the other side of the world, during which some things were bound to go wrong. With refreshing wit and a knack for humour, Bensen chronicles the trip she took with Jeff, a man she'd very recently met on OKCupid. This was a much-needed jump into the glorious unknown nature of life as she had only just surfaced from a debilitating period of depression. The only plans made ahead of time were their tickets to Turkey and then home from the UK, three weeks later. Only the bare essentials were allowed to be carried along (not even tooth paste was included, to begin with). It is fortunate for us readers that Bensen has since set her sights on fulfilling her dream of becoming a writer and penned her adventures. No Baggage contains a kaleidoscope of adventures as Clara and Jeff travel through multiple countries with Lady Luck as their frequent (though sometimes fickle) companion. It also has more reflective moments, looking back at Bensen's struggle with depression and the uncertainty that struck at intervals during her trip. Ultimately, this is a memoir that encourages throwing caution to the wind and seeing where life takes you. I definitely recommend it.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Wu Wei: a Taoist concept meaning the action of non-action, letting nature take its course, going with the flow. I love it.
This book was interesting in concept. Three weeks travel with a man she barely knew, a very vague plan, no reservations, no baggage. But I felt like the book was a missed opportunity, it wasn't nearly as profound or enlightening as I was expecting.
3.5/5
This book was interesting in concept. Three weeks travel with a man she barely knew, a very vague plan, no reservations, no baggage. But I felt like the book was a missed opportunity, it wasn't nearly as profound or enlightening as I was expecting.
3.5/5
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
Un libro excepcional, que aborda temas como la salud mental, temas de filosofía de vida y sobretodo, viajar por el mundo sin equipaje, literal. Una pareja que viaja por 3 semanas sólo con lo que tienen puesto.
Me encantó vivir la experiencia con ellos. Sin duda alguna, algún día, me gustaría también vivirla en carne propia.
Me encantó vivir la experiencia con ellos. Sin duda alguna, algún día, me gustaría también vivirla en carne propia.
Good story.. Makes me wish I could go on a trip. I don't think I would be able to do what they did with no bags with them.