Miss Rumphius
Author: Barbara Cooney

"Not just for children," confides Susan, who calls this award-winner "a beautifully illustrated children’s book about a woman who travels far and wide, and then comes home to make the world more beautiful."

Travels With a Donkey in the Cevennes
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson

"It has wonderful musings on history, religion and love," says Susan about this story of Stevenson’s 12-day trek through the mountains of southern France with Modestine, his stubborn, four-legged companion.

Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home in Italy
Author: Frances Mayes

Karen fell in love with Tuscany reading this book which she calls a passionate account of the joys and heartbreaks of the author’s ongoing restoration of a villa in Cortona, Italy. She shares with her readers her love for the Italian people and their land.

Bella Tuscany: The Sweet Life in Italy
Author: Frances Mayes, Janet Pedersen

The villa’s restoration continues, as well as the ‘imagine-yourself-there’ descriptions of countryside, gardens, food and wine.

Stardust
Author: Neil Gaiman

If escaping to another country isn’t enough for you, then Annette’s favorite book will send you to another world; one with magic, pixie-dust and fairies. "A love story in true fairy book form," she calls it, "Suitable and delightful for men and women."

Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway
Author: Susan Jeffers

No exaggeration, this book changed my life and countless others. Jeffers explains the reasons for fear, how it affects us, and shows us how to live life to the fullest, pursuing our goals, despite fear. Her gentle, upbeat guidance offers easy-to-follow steps for positive change.