With the economy not being at its best, to say the least, you may not be able to travel this summer.

No worry, there are so great books out there that allow you to travel and dream for free, if you visit Elmhurst Public Library.

Here is the latest book in that category I read, and what I thought about it, in one word: Awesome!

Le Road Trip: A Traveler’s Journal of Love and France
by Vivian SWIFT
195 pages
Published by Bloomsbury USA in April 2012

Have you ever loved? And loved traveling? And dreamed of traveling (back) to France? If you answered yes to one of the above, you absolutely have to read this book.

Wow, what a cool book!

—First Le Road Trip is about a trip to France, so of course I am going to be biased. I liked a lot how Vivian Swift presents her adventures and discoveries. All along her book, she makes the parallel between love and travel, with the evolution between love at first sight and maturity, based on her own personal stories. Her notes on France and the French people sound very accurate to me, very objective too. She does not hesitate highlighting some neat encounter in the countryside somewhere, but also how some Parisians can be a pest with tourists.

—And then, it is so beautifully illustrated by the author, herself. She is a fantastic artist, painting watercolors based on her own pictures and drawings made during the trip. You can have a look here. There are also pages with graphics, giving you the list of breads, or special travelings tips and advice, etc. And the whole book was hand type-set by the author, so really neat!

If you want to reminisce about your last French trip, or even just relax with a very nice and unique picture book, read Le Road Trip.

If you want to learn more about this incredible author and illustrator, and even watch a book trailer, please visit my page here.

And enjoy the end of your summer!