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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
adventurous
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
(2.5 stars for narration). Interesting book about bikepacking in Asia that actually explores a number of other subjects including explorers, modern politics in the area, science, and serves as a personal memoir. I was expecting more of a direct travelogue, but wasn't disappointed by these other subjects as it flushed out the narrative and provided some interesting context. As an aside about the asides, how is it that these explorer types end up being both super smart and motivated people who can walk into things like Rhodes scholarships, then just change their fields of study mid-stream and not seem to care or be impacted by this change and near-failure (or, in the case of the at-the-time boyfriend, willingly attempt NOT to pass/complete the degree) and still land on their feet AND go off on wild adventures for months on end? How do I do this?!
Narration scored low because it sounded like she was doing some combo of low-voice wrestling introductions and running out of breath. Especially at the end of the sentences. I listened to it at a faster speed and I can't imagine how annoying it would have been slower.
Narration scored low because it sounded like she was doing some combo of low-voice wrestling introductions and running out of breath. Especially at the end of the sentences. I listened to it at a faster speed and I can't imagine how annoying it would have been slower.
I don’t often pick up travel books, but I was wooed to this memoir of biking the Silk Road by comparisons to Rebecca Solnit and Cheryl Strayed. I don’t know if I agree 100% with the use of those names, but I enjoyed the trip, learned a lot about the history and geography of the area, and was enthralled by Harris’ lyrical writing. This is a writer I’ll watch out for. I look forward to seeing where the road takes her next.
slow-paced
The writing style was stilted, and the author did far too much privileged bitching. I learned stuff, so it wasn't a complete write-off.
adventurous
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Title: Land of Lost Borders: A Journey on the Silk Road
Author: Kate Harris
Genre: Travel Memoir
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: January 30, 2018
T H R E E • W O R D S
Adventurous • Passionate • Vivid
📖 S Y N O P S I S
As a teenager, Kate Harris realized that the career she craved—to be an explorer, had gone extinct. Looking beyond this planet, she decided to become a scientist and go to Mars. In between studying at Oxford and MIT, Harris set off by bicycle down the fabled Silk Road with her childhood friend Mel. Pedaling mile upon mile in some of the remotest places on earth, she realized that an explorer, in any day and age, is the kind of person who refuses to live between the lines. The farther she traveled, the closer she came to a world as wild as she felt within.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Lands of Lost Borders was one of the three books recommended to me by the #AskIndigo tool, which sends personalized recommendations based on a form I answered on their website. It was chosen for me because of my enjoyment of memoirs, my desire to see and learn about different places, and the fact that I enjoy biking.
Kate Harris does a phenomenal job describing the terrain. The atmosphere. The struggles. The triumphs. This book is filled with historical, geographical and scientific references to a place I've never been, and opened my eyes even further to The Silk Road. The vivid imagery transported me, so as though it seemed I was riding along with Kate and Mel.
Although, I must say I preferred the start of the book, where Kate details what made her take the journey and the actual journey. At time my attention waned simply because there were some unnecessary side stories, which could have easily been edited out.
Without the recommendation, this book likely would have never come into my hands. Land of Lost Borders is a solid travel memoir, chronicling Kate's extraordinary journey and our connection to the natural world. I think the person did an excellent job finding the right book for me. The sense of wanderlust is something I think I really enjoy in books. Given how much I enjoyed this one, I'd definitely use the #AskIndigo function again.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• travel enthusiasts
• readers who enjoyed Wild or Eat Pray Love
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Every time I got on my bicycle after a long hiatus it was like riding back to myself, the only way there."
"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives."
Author: Kate Harris
Genre: Travel Memoir
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: January 30, 2018
T H R E E • W O R D S
Adventurous • Passionate • Vivid
📖 S Y N O P S I S
As a teenager, Kate Harris realized that the career she craved—to be an explorer, had gone extinct. Looking beyond this planet, she decided to become a scientist and go to Mars. In between studying at Oxford and MIT, Harris set off by bicycle down the fabled Silk Road with her childhood friend Mel. Pedaling mile upon mile in some of the remotest places on earth, she realized that an explorer, in any day and age, is the kind of person who refuses to live between the lines. The farther she traveled, the closer she came to a world as wild as she felt within.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Lands of Lost Borders was one of the three books recommended to me by the #AskIndigo tool, which sends personalized recommendations based on a form I answered on their website. It was chosen for me because of my enjoyment of memoirs, my desire to see and learn about different places, and the fact that I enjoy biking.
Kate Harris does a phenomenal job describing the terrain. The atmosphere. The struggles. The triumphs. This book is filled with historical, geographical and scientific references to a place I've never been, and opened my eyes even further to The Silk Road. The vivid imagery transported me, so as though it seemed I was riding along with Kate and Mel.
Although, I must say I preferred the start of the book, where Kate details what made her take the journey and the actual journey. At time my attention waned simply because there were some unnecessary side stories, which could have easily been edited out.
Without the recommendation, this book likely would have never come into my hands. Land of Lost Borders is a solid travel memoir, chronicling Kate's extraordinary journey and our connection to the natural world. I think the person did an excellent job finding the right book for me. The sense of wanderlust is something I think I really enjoy in books. Given how much I enjoyed this one, I'd definitely use the #AskIndigo function again.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• travel enthusiasts
• readers who enjoyed Wild or Eat Pray Love
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Every time I got on my bicycle after a long hiatus it was like riding back to myself, the only way there."
"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit
adventurous
medium-paced
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced