Nancy Pearl, the author of Book Lust and More Book Lust who inspired the librarian action figure, starts her newest book, Book Lust To Go, like this: "I am not an enthusiastic traveler. Let me lay my cards on the table, clear the air, call a spade a spade, and make something perfectly clear, I am barely a traveler at all." She goes on to say that she is a "virtual traveler, via books", and thus the perfect person to provide "recommended reading for travelers, vagabonds and dreamers". She goes on to work her way through the alphabet of places and topics, including travel narrative, biographies, memoirs and fiction.

Whether you are looking for an armchair adventure or some related reading before you go traveling, this book is a great resource.

For an out-of-the way read, try Radio Shangri-la: what I learned in Bhutan, the happiest kingdom on earth.

Napoli writes how, caught in the grip of a mid-life crisis, cynical about work, and depressed about her love life, a chance encounter with a handsome stranger leads to the adventure of a lifetime in Bhutan.

(Syndetics)

Another new book that has arrived recently is a starred selection in Bookmarks magazine.

In this dazzling Russian travelogue, Ian Frazier trains his eye for unforgettable detail on Siberia, that vast expanse of Asiatic Russia. He explores many aspects of this storied, often grim region, which takes up one-seventh of the land on earth. He writes about the geography, the resources, the native peoples, the history, the forty-below midwinter afternoons, the bugs. (Syndetics)

From the far-out geographically to the just plain far-out, Weird Hollywood: your travel guide to Hollywood's local legends and best kept secrets has just arrived.

With California resident and humorist Oesterle as the guide, meander through bizarre back alleys and darkened theaters, observe the kitschy Singing Chairs of Santa Monica, and all that makes Hollywood the fantastic spot it is. (Syndetics)