Last updated on March 11th, 2023
Our next three books take us to New Zealand, India and Guernsey
Our next three books have been selected – by you! All of these meet specific criteria – they have a strong sense of place, a compelling storyline and powerful lessons to share. In addition to choosing authors from diverse backgrounds, we’ve also ensured that all books are available in multiple formats and countries.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote and to our partners at TripFiction for their ongoing support!
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Photo of Moroccon guides by Julie Ann Davies
Book of the Month selections for August, September and October 2022
We host JourneyWoman book club meetings on the third Wednesday of each month at 8 pm ET. Look for book club meetings on our Eventbrite page soon. If you’d like to be a guest speaker at one of these events let us know! We look for speakers with first-hand knowledge of these areas, who can provide recent tips and advice.
August 2022 Book of the Month
The Henna Artist, by Alka Joshi – set in India
Published in 2020
Lakshmi is 17 and fleeing an abusive husband when she arrives, alone, in Jaipur. Through hard work, caution and talent, she becomes a highly sought-after henna artist. Her work gives her access to the secrets of the upper classes, but when her husband catches up – with her younger sister in tow – the new life she has built for herself comes under threat.
September 2022 Book of the Month
The Diver’s Clothes Lie Empty, by Vendela Vida – set in Morocco
Published in March 2016
On the run from a traumatic past, a woman is robbed in Casablanca – losing her passport, cash, credit cards, laptop and more – setting off a chain of noir events. Written in the second person (you), this book has been described as “part glamorous travelogue, part slow-burn mystery,” “insanely funny,” and “a spellbinding literary thriller that probes the essence and malleability of identity.”
October 2022 Book of the Month
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society – set in Guernsey
Published in 2008
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER – NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE ON NETFLIX – A remarkable tale of the island of Guernsey during the German Occupation, and of a society as extraordinary as its name. January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she’s never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb.
2023
Moved to 2023 – Date TBD Depending on soft cover availability
Remember Me, by Charity Norman – set in New Zealand
Published in March 2022
When Emily returns to New Zealand’s North Island to take care of her father, who is struggling with Alzheimer’s disease, she finds her hometown still haunted by the mysterious disappearance of a young woman twenty-five years before. Now, shattering truths about the past threaten to rip the close-knit community apart.
* Please note, this is a new release, so you may need to pre-order this or consider the kindle version. It is available on amazon.com in paperback but not yet on amazon.ca although there may be other options.
Strong contenders
The Whale Rider, by Witi Ihimaera – set in New Zealand
Published in May 2003
Eight-year-old Kahu is the only descendant in the line of succession for the chieftainship of the Māori village of Whangara – but she’s a girl, and the chiefs have always been men. In her struggle to fulfill her destiny, Kahu has a powerful ally: her legendary ancestor, the “whale rider.” This contemporary tale, imbued with mythology, was authored by the first Māori writer to publish both a novel and a book of short stories.
The Last Watchman of Old Cairo, by Michael David Lukas – set in Egypt
Published in March 2018
When he was a child, Joseph moved with his Jewish mother to the United States. His Muslim father stayed in Cairo, where his family has worked as watchmen at the Ibn Ezra Synagogue for generations. After his father dies, Joseph receives a mysterious package and travels to Egypt seeking answers. In his search for closure of unresolved family conflicts, he finds a history that goes back centuries. The novel weaves together narratives from the 11th century, 19th century (based on historical events), and contemporary times, resulting in a rich tapestry of tradition centred on a precious archive of documents guarded through the ages.
More from our Book Club
Set in Crete, Kate Forsyth’s “The Crimson Thread” Explores the Ancient Legend of the Minotaur
Kate Forsyth’s novel, “The Crimson Thread”, reimagines the legend of the Minotaur in the Labyrinth myth set in Crete during WW2.
The Widows of Malabar Hill, Based on the Story of India’s First Female Lawyer
Inspired in part by a real woman who became India’s first female lawyer, The Widows of Malabar Hill brings us to 1920s Bombay.
“Dust Child” by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai Tells Untold Stories of the Impact of the Vietnam War
Set in 1969 to the present day, Dust Child, by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai tells the story of four lives entwined forever by the Vietnam War.
A Book for Bookstore Lovers: “The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry”
Set on a fictional island in the US, “The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry” is a powerful reminder about what saves us from loneliness and isolation.
Lisa See’s “Lady Tan’s Circle of Women” Celebrates the Bonds Between Women
Meet bestselling author Lisa See, Author, “Lady Tan’s Circle of Women”, at our November 15 Book Club.
Pip William’s “The Dictionary of Lost Words” Shows How Language Shapes our World
Our October 2023 Book of the Month, “The Dictionary of Lost Words”, explores the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary and how words mean different things to men and women.
Carolyn Ray
In 2023, Carolyn was named one of the most influential women in travel by TravelPulse for her work advocating for women over 50 in travel. She has been featured in the New York Times, Toronto Star and Conde Naste as a solo travel expert, and speaks at women's travel conferences around the world. She leads JourneyWoman's team of writers and chairs the JourneyWoman Women's Advisory Council, JourneyWoman Awards for Women 50+ and the Women's Speaker's Bureau. She is the chair of the Canadian chapter of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), board member for the Cultural Heritage Economic Alliance (CHEA) in support of Black and Brown businesses, a member of Women's Travel Leaders and a Herald for the Transformational Travel Council (TTC). Sometimes she sleeps. A bit.
Could you consider another book for October? As you note it is a recent release and not available on Amazon or Indigo or from my library system (which is quite extensive).
Hi Joan, that’s why we pushed it out to October, even though it had the most votes. We’ll publish other places to get it shortly! Thanks!
Good evening Carolyn
Any further details to share with regards your trip to Colombia.
I have never visited and planning to visit for the music and dance in the autumn.
Would love to hear more
Much love
Sarah