Last updated on August 3, 2023
In the past year, I’ve read (and reviewed) a lot of travel memoirs. I was on a deliberate kick because I wanted to absorb the genre and better understand how writers tell their story. This fall however, in conjunction with my speech to the freshmen at Central College in Iowa, I read the assigned book for their freshman lecture class, One Amazing Thing by Chitra Divakaruni. My goal was to weave similar themes and ideas into my speech about global citizenship and travel.
Is One Amazing Thing Worth Reading?
What started as merely research for my speech quickly captivated me. I rapidly progressed through the book to find out how the fate of the nine key characters unfolded. The novel takes place in the basement of the Indian embassy in San Francisco, and the tension ramps up as an earthquake traps the nine characters in the basement hoping and waiting for help to come.
To pass the time, the narrator, a young graduate students, asks each person to share a story of “one amazing thing” from their lives. These nine stories form the core of the book, with the earthquake narrative wrapping around each short story. The author is best known for her short stories, and for that reason this book format is perfect for her abilities and she creates strong characters and a lot of heart in each short narrative arch within the larger plot.
The stories of the people I meet in each place shape my favorite travel memories these past six years, which is one of the reasons I so enjoyed this book. As we hurry through life, it’s so easy to forget that each person around us has their own fascinating events that led up to that moment.
And even more, it’s a reminder that we are in control of shaping our own story, we are currently making choices that shape amazing stories we would tell in a similar situation. It’s this idea that I wove into my talk with the students. And it’s this reminder that I loved about her novel. Well it’s not specifically a travel novel, it has a cast of characters and cultural nuances that make it’s an interesting read.
If you’re keen to read more, you can find the book on Amazon.
One Amazing Thing Book Giveaway
I offered a free copy of One Amazing Thing to newsletter subscribers and readers.
Bonus entry question:
Leave a haiku version of one amazing thing from your own life.
That’s it, no other obstacles to jump through, though I would appreciate support by sharing this post or follow me on Instagram @ShannonRTW. :)
Read my reviews policy and disclaimer or my other book reviews. And here I list the best travel books for every country around the world. Although I sometimes allow an author or company to host a giveaway, I sponsored this month myself.
And here’s my haiku entry:
Velvet to my lips
Warmth fades, He is leaving But
My Love Never Lost…
I would love to read this book. Here’s my haiku entry:
Life is beautiful
To have lived and loved is bliss
Amazing, this life!
Yay! I love that you posted a haiku, and a lovely one at that. Thanks :)
This book does sound interesting. I am trying to think of one amazing thing and can’t, mind is blank.
Ohhhhh! I would love to read this book! I am so intrigued!
This book sounds fascinating…would love a read!
I love Divakaruni’s books, and I would love to win this! I am moving back to India in 2 weeks and would love to have this in my library when I head out.
Sounds like an amazing book! Great reading for my holiday break from school :) Hope you’re doing well btw!
You won the giveaway! I’ll shoot you an email next so we can convene on how you want it sent over, congrats! :)
I would love to read this book…. sounds very interesting.
It sounds as if your blog has led you into some interesting and perhaps challenging experiences. I enjoy reading it, as I started my own solo travel journey in Sept. and want to make the most of it. I like your thought that we are in control of shaping our own story.
It sounds as if your blog has led you into some interesting and perhaps challenging experiences. I enjoy reading it, as I started my own solo travel journey in Sept. and want to make the most of it. I like your thought that we are in control of shaping our own story.
I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for putting it on my radar.
These are my favorite types of books…true stories, travel and personal experiences…this covers all three! :) Thanks for the giveaway and it’s great to read about your travels, as well!
it sounds fascinating. As a traveller, what I keep the most is other people´s stories, moments of intimate confessions with somebody you´ll never meet again, being in awe by how we got there in the same place and why, small coincidences that change paths, having a bird´s view of totally different ways of life… This book would be an inspiration for me to share my own experiences maybe! Thank you for your offering and writings. Keep up the inspirational work!
I’m honored to be the first to comment on this review thread, this book sounds fascinating! I myself was a Literature major in college then traveled some afterwards. I love your travel blog, I look forward to more of my own travels in the future. I have dabbled in short fiction so I’d love to get my hands on this book…Thanks for putting it out there for review and as a giveaway!