I left the corporate world just nine months after beginning a job selling advertising space. I was 22 and knew cubicle life wasn’t for me. It was then that I embarked on a ten year career in tourism working mostly as a Travel Director. I’d hop on a motorcoach with fifty strangers from all over the world and show them what America the Beautiful had to offer. I worked for brands such as Contiki Holidays, Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, YMT, WorldStrides, and DC by Foot. I learned the landscape of the U.S. inside-out and spent years criss-crossing the country. In the off seasons, I’d travel overseas. Eventually, I’d hit six continents before I was 30. 

I met my husband doing the same travel job and after months of long-distance dating we decided to “get off the road.” We moved to DC, LA, and eventually the Bay Area. He returned to the radio world (you can find him on KCBS in San Francisco) and I settled into the life of a stay-at-home-mom. We had two beautiful girls. I opened an Etsy shop. We lived through a pandemic. I spent a lot of time wondering what was next for my career. 

When my oldest entered Kindergarten, I was hired as the Librarian at her elementary school. Another dream job! Books and reading have always been an integral part of my life.  I used to peruse the shelves at Borders (RIP) and any local bookstore I could find when my clients were getting lunch or enjoying an activity. Whenever I’m planning a trip, I read through travel guides like chapter books. Reading to my children is one of the most important things I do every day. 

All the while, I had a nagging voice in the back of my head telling me to start a blog. I’d dabbled in writing and podcasting before just to have life get in the way. But the voice was still there, stronger than ever. 

Bookish Tourist is the marriage of my two favorite passions–travel and literature. It’s designed to help you craft your travels based on the trails of literary giants such as Mark Twain, John Steinbeck, and Maya Angelou and to help you find the best independent bookstores and libraries around. Call it a bookworm’s guide to literary travel. Instead of using raw photographs on the blog, I’ve turned them into illustrations, much like you’d find in the pages of a book. 

I’m so happy you’re here. If you’d like to say hello please reach out to me at bookishoturist@gmail.com.