You Are Here: A Mindful Travel Journal

We’ve all stared at maps. We’ve all found the little ‘you are here’ logo and thought ‘yes I know I am... but where am I?’Well this ‘You Are Here’ is very similar. Essentially it’s a travel diary, but it’s so much more. It nudges you to be ‘mindful’. Indeed ‘mindfulness’ is a state which the author encourages. An awareness of any given moment, coupled with the realisation that this moment is unique to you. It’s a transient state by definition, but one which can be repeated over and over. As Uncle Bulgaria might have said, it will have you ‘making good use of the things that you find’.You see, the book can be serious one minute and irreverent the next. It has moments of humour to titillate you on one page and moments of karma on the next. So, why not throw in a Womble reference in a book review? It’s what I thought of in that moment, and it’s just the sort of thing the author is encouraging you to do. It doesn’t matter whether you want to write existential prose or a limerick about a waste paper bin, it’s whatever that moment brings. ‘Deface me’ the book suggests, if that’s how you feel...This book will bring out the ‘you’ in you. Whether it’s reflecting over something that’s just happened, succumbing to the need to swear about the blister on your heel, or describing something about that bloke in the cafe opposite – the one with stubble like Desperate Dan, who’s holding an espresso in one hand and scratching his backside with a plastic fork with the other.Who knows what the moment will bring? What you can be sure of is that ‘You are Here’ is a journal which will help you to record it.This is a wonderful concept for a book. If you’re going on your travels make sure you get a copy. It will bring your diary to life and put you in touch with yourself far more than a blank sheet of paper with the date on top.This book tells you it’s an ‘analogue antidote to a digital world’. It is just that, so much more fun than yet another dubious app! Great idea Emma Clarke.

I bought this as a gift for someone embarking on their travels access Europe. The recipient was so impressed by it and said it was really fun for when sitting on the train and recording and reflecting on her experiences.

Bought as a gift for a friend going on first travel adventures, but I think I will be buying myself one fo my next backpacking trip....had some really good (and original) ideas, helpful prompts and suggestions to really make sure you remember to be 'in the moment'...which we can sometimes forget when stressing about flight times/paperwork/money and all the other worries travelling can bring!

Lovely idea but it’s a bit flimsy. Maybe needs a hardback. Some great ideas but it just feels a bit cheap when it really wasn’t.

The book is great but arrived with some glue like finger prints all over the cover and I don't have enough time to exchange it before giving it to a friend. Shame because it really is a great book

A lovely, thoughtful book perfect for a less than confident traveller!

Bought this for a friend who's off to Aus & USA for 7 weeks. She loves it. Made me want to plan an adventure of my own & get one for myself.

Bought for my dad who was travelling to Australia for the first time to see my brother. Great gift, at times a little 'deep and meaningful' for my dad but I wish I had one for my travels to Canada!