Book review: A Trip of One's Own

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Synopsis: Kate Wills wasn't expecting to be divorced after less than a year of marriage. She hadn't anticipated restarting a life that had, for the last 12 years with her partner, seemed so stable. Luckily, her job as a travel journalist offered her the perfect opportunity to escape from it all. But this time, her jet-setting felt different. Kate felt more alone, particularly against a backdrop of never-ending hen dos, weddings and baby showers.

So she began to search history for female travellers to inspire her. From a 4th-century nun to a globe-girdling cyclist, Kate discovers that throughout history, there have been astonishing women who've broken free from more burdensome expectations, clearing the path for us to do the same.

A Trip of One's Own is a funny and heartfelt invitation to take that trip: to Paris, to Whitstable, and maybe down that street you've always wondered about.

How did this book end up in my hands? I was happily allowed to access the book via Netgalley ahead of publication.

Was it a page-turner? As this is a non-fiction book, there is no rush to the end to find out ‘whodunnit’. However, it’s such an engaging read that I did find myself wanting to keep going… and to pack a bag (with the book in it!) and leave on an adventure!

Did the book meet my expectations? I didn’t have time to create any expectations around this book as I was intrigued by the title and I started reading it straightaway! I mean…. Travelling? Yes, please! A reference to A Room of One’s Own? Yes, please! Now that I’ve reached the end, I can say that I found it incredibly interesting. There are so many amazing women I didn’t know anything about and A Trip of One’s Own made me thirsty for more of these stories.

Three words to describe it. Inspiring. Informative. Feminist.

Do I like the cover? Yes, it’s bold like all the women described in the book!

Have I read any other books by the same author? This is the author’s debut novel and I haven’t read any of her pieces of journalism although I am now tempted to go and do exactly that!

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