I sometimes feel guilty about the number of books I've got piled and stacked and wedged on bookcases, tables and the floor (and more than I care to admit which are unread). But then a time will come when I get in the mood for a particular sort of book and start thinking about what I might have on my own shelves that will perfectly match my mood. The benefit of having a personal library is being able to browse whenever I like and know I probably have something to fit the bill without having to request a book from the library or go out and buy one (well, I still do those other things, too, but in a pinch I can often come up with something closer at hand).
Last week I was lamenting the fact that there were so few women travelers mentioned in A Brief History of Diaries. I received a number of excellent suggestions and then thought wait a minute, I bet I have a few examples on my own shelves. And voilà, here are just a very few that came to mind and that were handy to get to. Okay, so I am cheating a little. They aren't diaries, per se, but travel narratives and on closer scrutiny I bet there are references to diaries amongst the entries.
The book on top, Maiden Voyages: Writings of Women Travelers edited by Mary Morris is a collection of writings by intrepid women wanderers spanning some two hundred years. The earliest is Lady Mary Wortley Montagu who lived between 1689-1762 went with her husband to Constantinople, Turkey when he was ambassador. And the most contemporary traveler is Leila Philip, born in 1962, who learned the potter's craft in Japan (and whose book I own by the way so can enjoy the whole experience and not just an excerpt). This is very much a survey of the genre of travel writing, but a nice chunk of the book is about Victorian travelers, so I had to mention it here.
Having experienced my own wanderlust I have a fairly large selection of travel narratives (more than two shelves-full), but there are three books which are true gems in my collection. They seem to be out of print (sadly), and I'm not entirely sure how many editions there were, but they are books I have returned to time and again as excellent resources for country information.
Have you heard of Rough Guides? They do more than travel guides, but travel is really their thing. What I like about them is they are (or were anyway) geared towards budget-minded travelers like myself. And the Women Travel series (Rough Guide Special) gives advice and shares women's travel experiences for countries all over the world and many locales off the beaten track. Each section concentrates on one country and includes, I suppose what you would consider an essay (and sometimes several), by one or more women. There is a general overview about the country by the editors as well as travel notes at the end of each section with practical information. And one of the things I like most is they give reading suggestions particular to each country. This may be nonfiction or fiction, and I can't tell you how many books I've found by studying these lists. Each book has a brief description, too.
I think I am missing at least one of the editions, though I can't quite figure out which. I own Women Travel: Adventures, Advice and Experience (A Real Guide Special) edited by Natania Jansz and Miranda Davies, published in 1990. I'm guessing this is the original guide and it is especially fascinating to read as this is just as the Wall was coming down in Eastern Europe. More Women Travel: Adventures and Advice from More than 60 Countries (A Rough Guide Special) edited by Natania Jansz and Miranda Davies came out in 1995. And Women Travel: First-Hand Accounts from More than 60 Countries (A Rough Guide Special) edited by Natania Jansz, Miranda Davies, Emma Drew and Lori McDougall came out in 1999 and is listed as the fourth edition. Since I only own three books I seem to have missed one along the way.
What brought these to mind, aside from being interested in travel diaries in general (and the one book leads to another phenomenon) was reading The Girls of Riyadh last month. Not knowing anything about Saudi Arabia, I was thinking about where I could find some good, solid information. Ah, yes, I bet I could find a travel account in one of my Women Travel books. There are sections on Saudi Arabia in only two of the books and I have so far only read the earliest one, and it was indeed enlightening.
Not to keep you on tenterhooks or anything, but check back tomorrow to read more. My post has already gotten too long, and this will give me time to read the other essay in order to compare and contrast. The books are really excellent resources even if you are only an armchair traveler like I seem to be these days.
Being busy making room - again - on my shelves I sometimes wonder
how you manage your books?! You have so many treasures! Looking forward to read more tomorrow.
Posted by: catharina | February 19, 2012 at 05:36 PM
I read the book Ladies of the Grand Tour some time ago, and it's about women travelers through Europe in the 18th century. I really liked it, though not as much as I had hoped. That said, I'm a huge fan of the period and loved reading about intrepid women travelers!
Posted by: Aarti | February 19, 2012 at 08:58 PM
I often buy boks by theme, far too many to be able to read them but then one day, I'm in the mood fot a topic and can go to my shleves and discover a pile of gems. That's always so nice.
I have a few rough guides and, I guess the one or the book on/ by women travellers. One is great and I read half of it. I don't have it close by but will see that I'll leave the title later.
Posted by: Caroline | February 20, 2012 at 12:10 AM
Could the missing one be 'Half the Earth'? It is in the rough guide series but doesn't actually indlude the words 'women travel' but is sub-titled Women's Experience of Travel Worldwide.
Posted by: Scriptor Senex | February 20, 2012 at 02:23 AM
I love older travel narratives, too, and used to pick them up for a few dollars at library sales. I've got a nice little collection of travel books. I like dipping into the old Baedeker travel guides. They give you such a sense of time and place.
Posted by: Joan Kyler | February 20, 2012 at 07:32 AM
I'm familiar with the Rough travel guides, but not with these. They sound wonderful. I've read one or two similar works (their names escape me at the moment) and they never fail to leave me wanting to pack my bags and go somewhere.
Posted by: Kathy | February 20, 2012 at 09:48 AM
What fun things to be able to pull off your own shelves! Stockpiling books comes in handy ;)
Posted by: Stefanie | February 20, 2012 at 11:26 AM
Your post has once again reinforced the reasons for why having a personal library is so necessary to the enjoyment and well-being of a bibliophile. ;)
Very interesting to know about the Rough Guide Specials, never knew about them except for the Rough Travel Guides.
Posted by: michelle | February 20, 2012 at 01:17 PM
Dani, Rough Guides also have a music label, and they consistently produce top quality world music with titles like Rough Guide to the Music of Japan or Rough Guide to Fado. I cannot get enough of their catalog of music.
http://www.worldmusic.net/store/browse/label/rough-guide/
Fay
Posted by: Fay | February 20, 2012 at 01:49 PM
Catharina--I don't manage them well at all! :) There are stacks of them that seem to grow out of nowhere and then I get in an organizing mode and need to tidy them all away. I know I shouldn't add to the piles, but I can't help myself.
Aarti--I've not heard of that one so I added it to my wishlist to take a look at. Too bad it wasn't quite as good as you hoped, but there seem to be a lot of books out there on this topic. I like reading about them, too, and it's been too long since I've read any travel narratives--am getting into the mood again!
Caroline--I also buy books one just one theme (well, as you have probably noticed) and then don't get to them all so it's nice to be able to return to my shelves when I do get in the mood again. I love those Rough Guides and the Women Travel titles have remained on my little bookshelf in my bedroom since i bought them--close at hand!
Scriptor Senex--Well, I shall find out as I have ordered a cheap used copy (one of those books I never understand how bookstores can afford to sell for a penny!). I was assuming that the title would be the same, but why not change it? I'll report back when I get my copy--it certainly sounds like a similar sort of book--thanks!
Joan Kyler--I have an old Italy Baedeker that I haven't a clue where it came from--someone in the family must have traveled there. It is very dated I suppose, but it is fun to look at.
Kathy--I love traveling, too. I miss it and if I could save some money I could plan something really fun and adventurous. These are almost the next best thing. :)
Stefanie--Books never go to waste. Eventually I'll want to read something or refer to it, which is why I hate weeding my books!
Michelle--I know sometimes people have no choice and have to cull for the lack of space, but it's really nice having a good personal library. You never do know when you'll be in the mood for something. Lately I've been picking up older books from my pile quite often. I wish the Rough Guide people would put out a new and updated Women Travel book!
Fay--I knew they did other sorts of Rough Guides but had no idea that they actually had a music label, too. Thanks, I am going to check it out. I like listening to music from other countries but never know what to pick up--this looks like a great resource, thanks.
Posted by: Danielle | February 20, 2012 at 08:29 PM
I agree with Michelle that having a personal library is a beautiful thing! It's very cool that you can track down some of what you want and get started at least! I confess that travel writing is probably the genre I am least well-read in. One day, I do hope I'll get around to reading some of it - and then I will be able to refer to your posts to help me!
Posted by: litlove | February 21, 2012 at 03:43 AM
Litlove--It is nice being able to be curious about a topic and then go to your own bookshelves and pick up a book and start reading--I'm very lucky! I used to read lots of travel narratives and miss them. Maybe I'll have to put together a list... :)
Posted by: Danielle | February 21, 2012 at 11:31 PM
Well I can completely relate to the idea that first one turns to other people's (i.e. the library's) shelves and only then, belatedly, thinks, "OH, maybe I have something along those lines on my own shelves." Heheh. Glad you have had so many pleasant discoveries of late!
Posted by: Buried In Print | February 23, 2012 at 05:05 PM
Buried in Print--Oh yeah, that's right... I own books, too! I totally forget that fact when faced with all those virtual new books lists and World Cat at my fingertips. When I go off in search of a particular book (I have a tiny book room off the living room--sounds more elegant than it is, trust me) I will search around, find about three books I forgot I owned, decide it sounds really good and take it with me to my bedroom. It's a constant back and forth with books between the two rooms. When too many start piling up in the bedroom, it's time to sort and shift them back. You see how it is...library books...ILL books...MY books... No wonder I have my fingers in so many books at once.
Posted by: Danielle | February 23, 2012 at 10:12 PM
It's wonderful to find treasures on our own shelves. I never tire of looking at my shelves and finding a book that I can enjoy reading.
Posted by: Kathleen | February 23, 2012 at 10:34 PM
Kathleen--Yay for personal libraries. I have to be careful when I start looking for books in my little book room as I can lose myself in there for a good while!
Posted by: Danielle | February 25, 2012 at 12:32 AM