Last updated on September 13th, 2022
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
Introducing the 2023 JourneyWoman Travel Book Club Selections
Introducing our first round of books for the 2023 JourneyWoman Travel Book Club, as chosen by our readers.
Laura Maya’s Memoir “Tell Them My Name” Celebrates Curiosity and Exploration
Laura Maya’s new memoir, “Tell Them My Name”, takes us to Nepal to explore the beauty of our differences and the joy of exploration.
Travel to Morocco With Vendela Vida’s “The Diver’s Clothes Lie Empty”
Set in Morocco, Vendela Vida’s novel “The Diver’s Clothes Lie Empty” features a solo traveller on her own journey to identity.
Claudia Laroye’s New Book Features Heartwarming Family Travel Stories
Claudia Laroye’s book “A Gelato a Day” includes short stories from leading travel writers that show the true impact of family travel.
Alka Joshi’s “The Henna Artist” Takes Us To 1950s Jaipur, India
Alka Joshi’s debut novel “The Henna Artist” brings 1950s Rajasthan to life with themes of freedom and independence that connect all women.
Journey to the Back Woods of Cape Cod in “The Paper Palace” by Miranda Cowley Heller
Set in the back woods of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Heller’s ‘The Paper Palace’ shares a story that unfolds over 24 hours and across 50 years.
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