In 2006, Mike Nixon worked as a hotel receptionist. Having thousands of encounters with guests from all over the world, he dreamed of living a life as exciting as those hotel guests. But dreaming is a lot easier than making that fantasy a reality. He struggled to bring his plans to life… until he met a friend who set his life on a different course. This book is about Mike’s journey to stay on that path.
In this fun memoir about following one’s passion for adventure, Mike provides an honest and realistic approach to becoming a world traveler and tells fascinating stories about unexpectedly passing through the lives of others. But as much as the memoir discusses travel, it also explores the idea of living a meaningful life. Mike’s memoir is heartwarming, hilarious, and, at times, a severe reminder of what it means to be human. It’s an enthralling rollercoaster ride that keeps readers entertained until the last page.
His travel stories range from hilarious, such as being accidentally poisoned by ingesting a venomous scorpion, to heartwarming, such as inspiring a group of kids in Paraguay to place in national business competitions. Around the world, he was often the only Black man in the room–at times, perhaps, the only one in some cities, a reality that Nixon discusses with frank insight and wit, as when he describes being routinely asked about American celebrities :“Had I been related to The Fresh Prince, my black ass would’ve been trying to get a role in a movie instead of passing out surveys in rural Paraguay.”
The stories jump around some within a general chronological structure, but the path to Nixon finding his true passion never wavers. Each new city scratched off the map offers an opportunity for growth that makes it clear how he grew from a desk clerk dreaming about the world to a seasoned globetrotter savvy about work visas and how to ride an elephant. The vivid descriptions and accounts of engaging conversations will encourage readers to leave behind their comfort zone and leave them wanting to explore everything the world has to offer.
Takeaway: Nixon’s eclectic mix of trave; stories will inspire dreams of exploring the cultures of the world.
Great for fans of: Torre DeRoche’s Love With a Chance of Drowning, Cheryl Strayed’s Wild.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: B
Like a peek inside a friend's bedside journal, the narrative—unvarnished and revealing—explores the depths and shallows of the writer's character with equal aplomb. Nixon's voice is raw, real, and relatable.
4 out of 4 Stars. "Life Travel And The People In Between served like a travel guide, as the author carried readers through diverse world cultures. The author's accounts were authentic and honest. Through Mike's eyes, I saw humanity at its best. It was genuinely refreshing to see people in the way that Mike showed them, which could very well rekindle a reader's faith in humanity. Perhaps this might be one of the most profound lessons from this book — people matter."
"I enjoyed this travel and coming-of-age story. It was admirable that Nixon could overcome growing up in a low-income, high-crime St. Louis area and find a successful path using his will, dreams and support of friends and family. His enthusiasm for people, cultures and experiencing new destinations is infectious."
