The digital age struck a major blow to brick-and-mortar bookstores. The number of traditional bookstores, including major chains like Borders, has dwindled over the last decade. Many will point to the rise in popularity of e-readers and Amazon delivery services. In certain respects, a niche, hole-in-the-wall store is a thing of the past. However, smart branding and positioning are key elements that allow stores to keep their lights on despite dig...

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Cargo Literary Magazine showcases personal development through travel. They do this through stunning photography, intriguing stories and evocative poetry as well as beautiful digital artwork and a book review. I recently reviewed Issue No. 14  One of the photo essays with its gorgeous photography was very moving! In this issue, one of the essays was by Fabrice Poussin, and he had offered up ten breath taking photos along with a short statemen...

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Twain’s “(The) Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” is notable for many things, including its unique position as the first novel to feature contemporary slang in the first person. While the book is well-known for its frequent use of an ethnic slur, to the point of having a character named “[expletive] Jim,” it also serves as a satire of the American South by comparing that region to what it was like two decades prior.  ...

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Series Spotlight: Lonely Planet
Default / 19/03/2018

Lonely Planet is the largest travel guide book publisher in the world. In just over forty years, they have printed over 120 million books, becoming the most successful travel publisher ever. They have around 500 titles that span 195 countries, hiring a combination of travel and local writers to strike a balance between insider tips and foreign perspective. Additionally, these guides are updated with new additions every two years, allowi...

Wanderlust Read: A Walk in the Woods, by Bill Bryson
Default / 05/03/2018

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail is Bill Bryson’s autobiographical account of his attempt to complete the AT. Bryson moves deftly between humorous observation and serious discussions relating to the trail’s history and his hiking experience, covering sociology, ecology, botany, zoology, and anthropology.   The book begins with Bryson’s vivid description of his personal interest with the Appa...

Picking Your Perfect Travel Book
Default / 22/02/2018

Visitors to the “Travel Guide” section of Barnes and Noble are faced with an overwhelming task: choosing the perfect travel book. Colorful and information-dense, each travel guide appears to offer something the others don’t—whether it’s a section of “insider tips,” additional transportation maps, or discounts on popular attractions. However, choosing a guide is important when traveling, especially if you are traveling outs...