Several people have requested a book post, so here is the first post on great books to read this holiday. First up is 8 of the Best Novels, followed by 8 of the Best Non-fiction Books and last 8 of the best Visual Inspiration Books. Hope you enjoy!

♦ Stardust – Neil Gaiman

This fantasy novel is beautifully written and you’ll absolutely love it, even if you don’t normally read fantasy novels. If you like fairy tales – you’ll love this novel!

♦ Life of Pi – Yann Martel

This is a remarkable story about a boy who survives when a ship sinks in the pacific ocean. I don’t want to tell you too much about the plot, because it’s so amazing you have to figure it out by yourself.

♦ Siddharta – Herman Hesse

-If you’re into buddhism, I think you’ll like this book. It’s faily short (but good) and I think I read it in two days. Beautiful story and beautiful language.

♦ Hunting and Gathering – Anna Gavalda

This one’s huge, but I still read it so fast – always a good sign for a novel. It’s about a group of friends who end up living together in Paris. The characters in this novel are so unique and intriguing, you’ll wish they were real!

♦ Just Kids – Patti Smith

Technically, this is a memoir, not fiction. However, the story is so interesting and Patti’s past is so full of amazing people and events – it might as well have been a fictional story. Even though you’re not into her music, you’ll love this book about being an artist in New York City.

♦ A Moveable Feast – Ernest Hemingway

This is a classic, and a must-read if you’re at all into Paris and everything French! Also, if you’re a writer – this is the book for you! It’s a quick read perfect for a lazy holiday.

♦ 1Q84 – Haruki Murakami

I haven’t actually finished this yet, but I’m including it nonetheless. I’m reading this book slowly, and every word feels like dark chocolate in my mouth. A-ma-zing so far!

♦ The Secret History – Donna Tarrt

I really enjoyed reading this book, full of interesting twists. It’s about a group of college students who try to conceal a murder. Still, I wouldn’t call this crime, as it is not written as a crime novel. If you like a novel full of interesting psychological twists – read this one!

What are you reading at the moment?

Ps. I’ve previously written a list on 10 of the best books I’ve ever read – check it out here!

All picture sources can be found here

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I would like to use this opportunity to say hello to all my new readers! I’m so excited to have you here! If you like what you see, and wish to follow the Freedom Experiment, you can use these buttons:

 

Do you dream of traveling, but not going anywhere this summer?
Sometimes, the timing just isn’t right. Or you don’t really have the funds to go as far as you’d like.

You don’t really have to go far to have a fabulous summer. With these tips I’ll show you how to travel when you’re not traveling.

1. Go to a local museum or sight. Chances are you’ve taken something for granted and never experienced the greatness on your own doorstep.

2. Hit the local beach, lake or swimming hall. Spend the whole day and unwind totally. When the water is cool and the sky is blue, does it really matter where in the world you are?

3. Explore a new culture. Does you city have a Chinatown? Or maybe a minority district? Go to these places and take in all the exotic inspiration you can. Eat, shop and enjoy!

4. Do something new. Part of what makes traveling so great is to experiene new things. Why not take an interesting class, try a new activity or taste the strangest item on the menu of your local café?

5. Wander in your own city. Take a camera (and maybe a map) and wander aimlessly through the streets you don’t normally go to. Chances are you’ll discover a new café, shop or park that will make your home city even more amazing.

6.Read a guidebook for your city. What is your city known for? What would you do if you were a tourist in your own town?

7. Book a night or two in a hotel, or clean your apartment and invest in some white towels and bedsheets to get that luxurious hotel feel.

8. Send postcards to your friends! Who said you need to travel to send postcards?

9. If all else fails, indulge in a really good book that will take you to your dream destination and back. Shantaram is great for India, The Buddha of Suburbia will take you to London, Hemingway will take you to Paris and Haruki Murakami will take you to Japan if you let him. Or how about spending some time in Faerie with Stardust by Neil Gaiman?

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Over to you: What are you best tips for traveling when you’re at home? What are you doing this summer?

So far I really love London! I went to the Columbia Road Flower Market today, and it was awesome. I have to go back next sunday too! So many wonderful shops and flowers!

I haven’t yet sorted out the internet in my room, so I have to apologize for not replying to your comments on my previous posts. I’ll catch up as soon as I get the internet thing sorted out! (I’m addicted to being online, help!) Also, I’m really excited, because my classes start tomorrow. I will have more time to blog as soon as everything starts! So much information in the beginning!

All photos take my be in Rome 2010

ps. For those who are wondering about how I’m getting along with the the Olympus PEN: All the photos from above is taken with the PEN and we are getting along fine. I don’t really think the auto settings are as good as my canon camera, but if you know how to deal with white balance and iso settings, you should be fine! What I love about it is that it is light and small. You can take it everywhere! I do think it takes a lot better pictures than a regular point and shoot.  My favorite is the 17mm lens (1:2.8) but I really wish they will make a 25mm one (equivalent to a regular 50mm lens) with 1:1.4. So sum it up: If you are looking for a great light camera to take everywhere that takes better photos than a point and shoot; it is great. If you are a photographer (or want to be one) and you are looking for a DSLR, go for a regular one. Or, like me, get both! ;)

Do you haven any exciting travel plans this summer? I’m going to spend the summer in London where I’ll be attending the LSE Summer School. I leave tomorrow! While I’m there, I’ll continue to give you exciting, inspiring and interesting posts as often as I can.

Do you dream of travelling, but haven’t yet? Read my first (ever) guest post over at Steve Scott Site:

Realize your Travel Dreams – How to Afford it

ps. the Rome photos will be posted as soon as I a) get a roll of film developed and b) find my old or buy a new camera to pc cable… ;)

]]> http://www.thefreedomexperiment.com/2010/07/01/london-calling-2/feed/ 5 http://www.thefreedomexperiment.com/2010/06/18/on-rome-and-boredom/ http://www.thefreedomexperiment.com/2010/06/18/on-rome-and-boredom/#comments Fri, 18 Jun 2010 19:19:45 +0000 Marthe http://www.mausumi.com/?p=1142

Trevi Fountain, Rome

On saturday I was feeling extremely bored. I was restless and spent the day wandering around Oslo. Nothing exciting was happening and I have been most places in Oslo before. I had the next days off and I have saved up money for this summer. Around 4 pm I got this crazy idea that maybe I should just get off somewhere. My boyfriend had work on monday and tuesday that he really couldn’t abandon, so I asked the only person I know that is crazy enough to go with me; my sister.

And so it happened that I found some cheap tickets to Rome. Neither of us had ever been to Italy, and Rome is one of those places that I’ve always wanted to go. My sister got off work at 7, we ordered the tickets around 8 and by 10 pm she was already on the train over to my place (closer to the airport). The plane left the next morning at 6.30 am. It was totally the craziest and most liberating thing I have ever done. Just the thought of being bored in Oslo one day and wandering the streets of Rome the next day, gives me butterflies. It really reminds me that nothing is impossible and that all it takes is a little courage and trust.

We returned from our trip on Wednesday and headed directly to our parents for their 25th wedding anniversary. So give me a day, and I’ll give you wonderful photos, and a few new inspiring posts that I have up my sleeve. I also have some great news to share with you all!

Have you ever done something a little crazy and unexpected? How do you deal with boredom and restlessness? I’d love to hear about your adventures!

Sometimes I am so inspired, so eager to learn, so excited about everything that I don’t know where to start. I have problems focusing on one thing at the time. Do you ever feel this way? I’ve been thinking so much lately about what I want to achieve in life, where I want to go and how I want to live. You might even go so far as to call it the Quarter Life Crisis that Dream. Delight. Inspire. is talking about. Anyways, at the moment I find myself reading 5 books at a time. So, I thought I’d let you get a peek into my life and share what I’m reading about right now:

1. Travel Writing – Lonely Planet

This is the most exciting book I’m reading at the momebt. . I love travelling and I love writing. I have tons of guidebooks and I always read a lot about the places I’m going. I think this might be it; my passion! So far the book is really interesting with advice, writing examples and exercises. Does anyone share this passion with me? If you are interested in travelling and writing, check it out! I also recommend everyone to check out Travel Photography too.

2. A Fine Balance – Rohinton Mistry

Over the past years, I have been reading quite a few novels that take place in India. A lot of people has recommended this book (including the girl at the bookshop, so I decided to give it a go).  So far this novel is captivating and interesting. The plot is centered around different people who meet in the turbulent times of 1975-77 in Mumbai.  What I love most about this book is that it is huge! I love novels that don’t end before they start.

3. How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie

Ok, this book is a true classic. If you want to improve your people skills (I admit that I do), this is the book for you (and me). I only have a few chapters left, and so far I have learned a lot about people. I think this is the kind of book that require some work, one reading is not enough. Re-read a chapter every once in a while, and really try to work on your skills. Soon it will become a habit. If people skill can be learned at all, this is the textbook to use.

4. Invisible – Paul Auster

This is the first book I have read by Paul Auster. Have you read The New York Trilogy? I found this book interesting and a little surprising. I don’t really want to say too much about the plot, but I can say that the main character is a young aspiring poet from New York. The story is about how he looks back at his life, his choices and the twists of fate. Definitely and interesting book!

5. India – Lonely Planet

I don’t know if this counts as a book I’m reading, browsing is a much better word. I love guidebooks! Buying and reading a guidebook when I have decided to go somewhere is part of the journey, in my opinion. I have already started to think about the places I’m going to visit, the hotels I want to stay at and the food I’m going to be eating. I love the sections on culture, food and activites. I’m already dreaming of elephant rides, yoga and tikka masala!

What are you reading at the moment? What are you planning to read this summer?

Click for sources

This saturday, I went to the opening sale of a new store here in Oslo, a combined travel store, travel agent and coffeeplace called Chillout. I talked a lot with one of their travel agents, and I have almost decided to travel to India in December. So, this is the reason behind my picture post today, as I have been thinking about nothing else the past couple of days. I have been at the library and picked up no less than 5 travel guides!

Have any of you been to India? Share your tips if you have!

I’d also love it if you want to share your favorite India pictures. I love to prepare and dream about the place I’m going to visit. It makes the whole experience even more exciting!

ps. If you haven’t already, check out this interview with Liss from Daydream Lily and her Diana Mini pictures from India!

All photos are taken by my with Diana Mini and 400 color negative lomography film.

ps. I’m back from London and I promise to update more regularly from now on! :)

I’m having a great time here in London! So far we have done a lot of shopping, wandering around (my favorite areas are covent garden and soho), eating and drinking. I have spent a lot of time around Charing Cross Road and all the bookstores around there, and one treasure I bought at The Dover Bookshop is the Pictorial Webster’s Visual Diary of Curiosities. You can see some of the pages above, and aren’t they inspirational? the book has 477 pages filled with interesting drawings of science items, flora and animals etc. I think I could sit for hours just looking through the pages here! And some of the items are so weird I would have to look them up further to understand their history. Cool, right?

I have also been to some wonderful independent shops and cafes that I can’t wait to share with you. And I have spent all my money on some rather wonderful items, so stay tuned for further London updates!

ps. would you like a guide to London’s bookshops? I could make a post where I write about all the bookshops I have been to, and then you can add your favorites in the comments?