There is no Frigate like a Book
To take us Lands away
–Emily Dickenson
Hi — My name is Fern. In December of 2008, I challenged myself to read 25 books about other countries by December 31, 2009. This blog–about travel literature, and any other book about a country that is not the U.S.–is an attempt to keep me on track and honest.
To say that I’m a curious person would be quite an understatement. Most things can capture my attention for a short period of time, but there are a few subjects that I have been fascinated by for quite some time.
The languages, politics, and cultures of people in other countries is one such subject. Maybe that’s part and parcel of being American, since such a tiny fraction of our population is truly “from here.” We all seem to maintain some connection–even if it is infinitesimal–to whatever country our ancestors left to immigrate to America. But whatever the reason, it never ceases to amaze me that, while I was born and live in California, I can simultaneously have everything and nothing in common with someone living in Berlin, Jerusalem, Cape Town, Jakarta or Rio De Janeiro.
While in undergrad, I took courses in comparative political philosophy, international affairs, art history (East Asian, European and early American), world history and world religions. In law school, I studied international law and international business transactions. I also had the opportunity to study abroad in Paris and Budapest, where I learned about international commercial arbitration and international dispute mediation.
I speak a lot of American English, a little Mexican Spanish, and a tiny bit of Hebrew, French and Hungarian.
I’d love to hear from you! Email me at Fern at PaperbackTraveler.com. You can also find me on:
by Orhan Pamuk
