You knocked off 35 books every man should read in his lifetime and tore your way through the best new books of 2021. Now, direct your attention to some of the best travel tomes of today and yesteryear. We’ve put together a roundup of travel books to get that glorious globe-trotting thrill from the comfort of your home (or if you’re lucky—from the porch, dock, or sliver of beachfront nirvana outside your vacation rental). We promise you’ll finish each of these travel books feeling enlightened and appreciating the tiny blue dot we call home.
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1. The Odyssey by Homer, translated by Emily Wilson
This captivating translation of Homer’s epic poem from 8th century BCE follows Odysseus on his decade-long endeavor to make it back home to his wife, Penelope, and son, Telemachus, after the Trojan War. He meets many challenges along the way—a cyclops; storms at sea, invoked by Poseidon; intense fights; y’know, the usual offenders. You’ll be immersed in a world of cinematic drama and nail-biting suspense unlike—and perhaps more beautiful than—any other.
2. Mileage Maniac: My Genius, Madness And A Touch Of Evil To Amass 40 Million Frequent Flyer Miles by Steve Belkin
Published in June 2021, Steve Belkin paints an amusing (and, at times, wince-worthy) portrait of his endeavor to rack up a gluttonous amount of airline miles. You’ll be enthralled by the bizarre and dark world as Belkin chronicles how he transformed underemployed improv actors and disabled Thai masseuses into “mileage mules.” It doesn’t stop there: He manages to convert hair transplant consultations, Jaguar test drives, thousands of magazine subscriptions, and phantom trips to Cameroon into airline mileage points, too.
3. The Passenger: How a Travel Writer Learned to Love Cruises & Other Lies from a Sinking Ship by Chaney Kwak
Kwan is an emerging Korean-American writer to watch—and his journey on the ill-fated Viking Sky cruise ship in March 2019 (it was hit by a bomb cyclone off Norway’s shoreline) is a must-read. Sure, there were 60-foot swells, 87-mile-per-hour gales, and a power outage as the ship floats right toward the perilous Hustadvika coast. But the real gripping nuts and bolts here is Kwan’s evocative writing that seamlessly swings from humorous to elegiac to reflective (especially as he thinks about his own mortality). With interludes to the South China Sea, Korea in the aftermath of World War II, and San Francisco in these pandemic times, good luck putting this page-turner down. You’ll never step on a cruise ship again without recalling this action-packed tale—if you ever step on a cruise ship again…
4. Deep South: Four Seasons on Back Roads by Paul Theroux
As any avid reader of travel tomes knows, the next best thing to getting on the road yourself is sitting in the backseat with Theroux, perhaps the most renowned travel writer of our time. Here, you’ll venture to dusty back roads, storied local watering holes, and awe-inspiring attractions all over the South. It’s a meandering road trip that reads like an adult lullaby. Illuminating the strengths and foibles of the Bible Belt with his signature wry observations.
5. All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoes by Maya Angelou
Angelou captures that innermost desire to truly know ourselves in this moving 1986 autobiography. It’s peppered with lines that halt you in your tracks (“The ache for home lives in all of us. The safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.”) as you shadow Angelou on her move to Ghana, where she becomes part of the American ex-pat group, “Revolutionist Returnees.” While many have read Angelou’s better-known 1969 autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, this book gives you new insight into the African-American experience, as well as the pan-African movement.
6. March On: A Veterans Travel Guide by Michael Embrich
Travel the world with U.S. Navy veteran, writer, and military researcher Michael Embrich in this summer 2021 debut. The book is part travel guide, part personal narrative. Along the way, you’ll visit private officers’ clubs in NYC, journey to Paris to visit veteran expats, and more. We particularly like the resources it provides to help you plan actual travel. The book spotlights veteran-owned businesses around the U.S. and Europe, and provides detailed historical anecdotes.
7. The Lost Continent: Travels in Small Town America by Bill Bryson
This 1989 Bryson classic is the kind of travelogue you want to return to again and again. This book brings on big, hearty laughs, so proceed with caution while in public. You’ll get to know the unending beauty and tragedy of the grand ‘ole US of A, whether Bryson plops you into the Big Apple or the vastness of California. If you can’t put this one down, be sure to pick up Bryson’s memoir The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid. It tells more about his Des Moines, Iowa, upbringing and what makes this beloved travel writer tick.
8. The Girl Explorers: The Untold Story of the Globetrotting Women Who Trekked, Flew, and Fought Their Way Around the World by Jayne Zanglein
Get a glimpse at the early members of the International Society of Women Geographers. The group was established in 1925 by—as PW deftly sums it up— “explorers, artists, scientists, and writers who shared a common love for travel and exploration in an era when women were told their place was in the home.” Zanglein’s recounting of their tales takes you from the mountains of Peru to flying across the Atlantic Ocean.
Preorder this hardcover beaut (out October 19, 2021) to indulge in a couch-side escape to more than 40 countries. Whether you journey to adult space camp in Huntsville, Alabama or hit the slopes in Stowe, Vermont, you’ll be sure to learn something new on these 700+ pages. You may even bookmark your next getaway and get to planning, too.
10. Meeting Faith: The Forest Journals of a Black Buddhist Nun by Faith Adiele
If the past year has made you contemplate giving up all your worldly belongings and becoming a Buddhist, A) we don’t blame you and B) you should probably read this book. Published in 2005, the memoir feels particularly relevant in these tumultuous times. You feel inspired by Adiele’s journey to shed her Harvard-bred ego and embrace life in a forest temple in Thailand. P.S. If you thought your 15-minute Simple Habit sessions were tough, try 19 hours of meditation a day.
11. The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors by James Mills
Buckle up for an adventure, but also a thought-provoking exploration about the racism inherent in America’s great outdoors. In this 2014 nonfiction book, Mills documents the first all-African American team of climbers on their attempt to summit Denali. North America’s highest peak, the mountain stands 20,310 feet above sea level. Along the way, Mills shares his critique about minority group’s exclusion from outdoor spaces. He also focuses on what we can do to forge a better path ahead for all.
12. 50 Ways to Cycle the World by Tristan Bogaard and Belén Castelló
If a coffee table book is what you crave, this superb photography book quite literally spins you around the globe. It features cycling adventures in 23 countries by 75 individuals and groups. Unveiled in June 2021, this will get you antsing to knock a few pedal dreams off your bucket list. However, preferably not on a tandem bike, on a lengthy solo ride, or with a cat, as the book depicts.
There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
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1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
Marius Bugge
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Marius Bugge
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
Marius Bugge
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top. Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
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