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You are here: Backpacker Resources > Travel Books > Top 5 Books for April 2011

Top 5 Books for April 2011

1. Call of the White by Felicity Aston

   Call of the White is the tale of Felicity Aston, an intrepid explorer who challenged women from all over the British Commonwealth to ski with her to the South Pole. Of course all female expeditions to the South Pole have been done before but Felicity wanted the most international and inspirational collection of ordinary women to join her. Of the 800 applicants she chose ladies from India, Cyprus, Singapore and Jamaica, among other places, and the result is this humbling tale of success in the face of 80 mile an hour winds, frostbite and deadly crevasses.

   Call of the White by Felicity Aston is published by Summersdale (paperback; £8.99). It is also available through amazon.com and all good booksellers.

2. Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

   At the centre of this tale is the wonderfully obstinate Olive Kitteridge, a woman who’s hard exterior alienated many and also endeared her to a fair few folk too. She is the kind of person who never understood the concept of self doubt, however in retirement this hardened veneer of self confidence began to crack, when life happened to the important people around her. You’ll recognise the day to day life of your family, relationships and friends in this book, and without a doubt feel for Olive’s husband and son for having survived the almost tyrannical role she has played in their lives.

   Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout is published by Random House (paperback; £7.99). It is also available through amazon.com and all good booksellers.

3. The Road by Cormac McCarthy

   This is a Pulitzer prize winning read and also a film starring Charlize Theron, but if you’re not familiar with it, here’s a little taster to tempt you into picking up a copy. Set in a post-apocalyptic future where the earth is scorched and resources are all but gone, one man and his son desperately travel in search of somewhere habitable. In their way stands what remains of humanity – survivors who live a cannibalistic lifestyle because beyond tinned food, there’s nothing else to eat. Horror aside, the relationship between father and son is what’ll get to you in this book and that unstoppable genetic instinct, a father feels when it comes to protecting his offspring.

   The Road by Cormac McCarthy is published by Picador (paperback; £7.99). It is also available through amazon.com and all good booksellers.

4. The Pile of Stuff at the Bottom of the Stairs

   Ladies and Gents – I present to you a spot of light hearted humour centred around Mary Gilmour. In this collection of words Mary is a regular mum and wife who feels, as so many others so, that her life is ruled by picking up toys, cleaning up messes and juggling a part time job. Feeling guilty about never having enough time for her two sons she turns on the obstacle that she believes, stands between her and a happy life balance – her useless husband! Poor old Joel has no idea what’s going on but Mary resolves to sort things out one way or another with a spreadsheet noting every mistake, mess and comment over a six-month, probationary period. If the blissfully unaware Joel doesn’t fix it – he’s out!

   The Pile of Stuff at the Bottom of the Stairs by Christina Hopkinson is published by Hodder & Stoughton Ltd (hardback; £12.99). It is also available through amazon.com and all good booksellers.

5. The Ritz London Book Of Afternoon Tea by Helen Simpson

   Afternoon Tea is one of those Great British traditions that simply isn’t matched, anywhere in the world, and for most travellers visiting London the best place to do this is The Ritz London Hotel in Mayfair. The event is a fair amount more complex than you’d think and this Edwardian-esque publication captures these complexities perfectly. From little known recipes and seasonal summer teas to celebrity connections and complimentary tales from the likes of Oscar Wilde, this pocket sized sized guide will make you crave tiny sandwiches, strawberry shortcake and rose petal jam like there’s no tomorrow.

   The Ritz London Book Of Afternoon Tea: The Art and Pleasures of Taking Tea by Helen Simpson is published by Ebury Press (hardback; £6.99). It is also available through amazon.com and all good booksellers.

- Rob Savage