Call me old-fashioned but I still prefer to read from the flat page than the flat screen. Its one of our simplest comforts - to read from a good book.
Forever Travels, a collection of short stories bound by a common theme - everyday experiences of people on holiday. Many of them may have familiar rings as we've all had unforgettable experiences while vacationing. I first became aware of this book when I attended a presentation of some of the stories as read by one of the writers - Elynne Chaplik-Aleskow. I sat there in awe and wonder as she told A Tale of Two Vardas - a search for an old friend and the meeting of a new one. Through Aleskow's flowing narrative, I was swept up into the adventure of the search.
Which of course prompted me to buy the book, inside of which there were nine more traveling tales from Chaplik-Aleskow dealing with broken hotel beds, frustrating train rides and a touching story read from an old diary left by travelers past. The stories are the perfect length for a mid day break, a peaceful evening by the fireplace, or before retiring for the evening. Since I'm short a fireplace and my mid days are spent staring at a flat screen, these stories by Chaplik-Aleskow and seventeen others serve as an end of the day reverie that takes me to places far and away. Try it. And you won't have to get to the airport three hours early!
