Title: Blind Curves: One Woman's Unusual Journey to Reinvent Herself and Answer: What Now?
Author: Linda Crill
Published March 1, 2013; Opus Intl.
Genre: travel, memoir
Before reading the book, I read the book description: "After 18 months of following one-size-fits-all advice for a 57-year-old widow, Linda Crill was still miserable. In a moment of rebellion, she traded her corporate suits for motorcycle leathers and committed herself to a 2,500-mile road trip down Americas Pacific Northwest coast riding a motorcycle. The problem, she didn't know how to ride and had only 30 days to learn."
I was amazed that a corporate executive in a high octane atmosphere such as Washington DC could suddenly, in her mid-fifties, throw caution to the wind and decide to learn how to ride a motorcycle and take off for a long road trip along the Pacific Northwest coast. I though it took a lot of gumption, not to mention, determination.
There are probably many roads to dealing with the death of a spouse or loved one and finding your place in a new future. Linda Crill took this biking route, which worked very well for her. She was pulled away from her grief by the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest and her surroundings.
Standing on the vast beach - at least 100 yards deep and stretching for miles to the north and south - we were amazed. To our right, majestically rising out of the ocean close to shore, was a rocky monolith. In front and to its left stood several smaller ones. They aroused my curiosity as I surveyed the area around me, trying to conjecture how they had been created. (ch. 10)I liked that the book is illustrated with sketches of the author on her bike, with her biker friends, or in the middle of beautiful scenery.
The memoir reads as part adventure, part inspirational. A scenic and uplifting bike ride.
About the author: Linda Crill is a Washington DC area executive, consultant and international speaker who has worked with Citigroup, Cadbury-Mott’s, Goldman Sachs and Marriott International, Inc., as well as other Fortune 100 companies, universities, non-profits, and government departments and agencies. A mother of three, she lectures and writes on how to manage change and reinvent yourself, your life and your business. “Discoveries,” she says,” are waiting to be found around each blind curve.”
I received a complimentary review copy of the book from Rebecca at The Cadence Group.
Submitted to Cym Lowell's Book Review Link-Up Party
This sounds terrific! Excellent review of this illustrated memoir, Harvee.
ReplyDeleteIt's a trip I'd like to take myself, Suko. Preferably by car:)
DeleteThis sounds good - the illustrations are a nice touch!
ReplyDeleteThose drawings really did it for me...
DeleteSounds like an inspirational read. Thanks for your review.
ReplyDeleteI didn't mention that the effort of riding that motorcycle all 2,500 miles also was part of her healing process...
DeleteMaybe I should be careful about reading this. It Sounds like something that I would like to do!
ReplyDeleteSounds as if it would be a trip to remember!
Deletei like travel novel! thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteThis sounds great and I love that she just decided to ride a motorcycle and enjoy life!
ReplyDeleteIt's always fun to hear about what others think of the book. There are so many books about how to grieve and survive the loss of someone special. But the book I couldn't find is how to move forward again with life when no new direction feels right. I think a lot of are asking "What Now?" these days. So that's a big reason for doing something different is when it't time to explore something new. Thanks Harvee for the review.
ReplyDelete