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Alone Time
Alone Time: Four Seasons, Four Cities, and the Pleasures of Solitude | Stephanie Rosenbloom
A wise, passionate account of the pleasures of travelling solo In our increasingly frantic daily lives, many people are genuinely fearful of the prospect of solitude, but time alone can be both rich and restorative, especially when travelling. Through on-the-ground reporting and recounting the experiences of artists, writers, and innovators who cherished solitude, Stephanie Rosenbloom considers how being alone as a traveller--and even in one's own city--is conducive to becoming acutely aware of the sensual details of the world--patterns, textures, colors, tastes, sounds--in ways that are difficult to do in the company of others. Alone Time is divided into four parts, each set in a different city, in a different season, in a single year. The destinations--Paris, Istanbul, Florence, New York--are all pedestrian-friendly, allowing travelers to slow down and appreciate casual pleasures instead of hurtling through museums and posting photos to Instagram. Each section spotlights a different theme associated with the joys and benefits of time alone and how it can enable people to enrich their lives--facilitating creativity, learning, self-reliance, as well as the ability to experiment and change. Rosenbloom incorporates insights from psychologists and sociologists who have studied solitude and happiness, and explores such topics as dining alone, learning to savor, discovering interests and passions, and finding or creating silent spaces. Her engaging and elegant prose makes Alone Time as warmly intimate an account as the details of a trip shared by a beloved friend--and will have its many readers eager to set off on their own solo adventures.
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megnews
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Pickpick

A solo travel book and a discussion of the benefits of alone time.

BkClubCare I love travel alone, wandering and chasing whatever fancy appears in my path. But usually it is a day in a city with the hub working - not me going somewhere exotic by myself. Tho, I am not opposed. 8mo
TheLudicReader I really enjoyed this book when I read it a few months ago. 8mo
squirrelbrain I loved this one too. ❤️ 8mo
46 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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TheBookHippie
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#LMPBC #GROUPT travel memoirs

I‘ll tag in comments below the other three books!

Let me know if any of these work!

megnews Two of these were in my list. Any of them look good to me 13mo
Bookwormjillk I‘ve had Travels With My Aunt on my TBR forever, but they all look really good! 13mo
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squirrelbrain I know I‘m not taking part but just jumping in to say I loved Alone Time! ❤️ 13mo
Bookishlie I have without reservations!! She‘s my favorite travelogue author!! She only had three nonfiction books I‘m aware of and they are amazing!!! 13mo
TheBookHippie @Bookwormjillk @megnews @bookishlie I picked this one since it‘s been on my list the longest BUT let‘s keep our books I can see round 18 travel happening 🤣 13mo
megnews @TheBookHippie I agree. Love this theme. Great idea @Bookwormjillk 13mo
Bookwormjillk @TheBookHippie yes I want to read everything in all of your lists! 13mo
TheBookHippie @Bookwormjillk I found 5 more travel books 🤣 @megnews 13mo
IMASLOWREADER loved alone time 13mo
megnews @TheBookHippie we should be able to keep it going for awhile then! 😊 13mo
TheBookHippie @megnews I know I‘m so excited!! 13mo
Bookishlie I‘m down to keep it going! In LOVE travelogues!! 13mo
47 likes13 comments
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TheLudicReader
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Pickpick

My #doublespin is part memoir, part travelogue, and part self-help book about the joys of traveling alone, something I hope to do once I retire. The author spends time in Paris, Florence, Istanbul and her hometown NYC (a city she tries to see with fresh eyes). I found the writing, her observations and her thoughts about the topic lovely.
@TheAromaofBooks

youneverarrived I really enjoyed this too! 2y
merelybookish If I didn't already have it stacked, I would based on your review 2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
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DebbieGrillo
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1. Indie, folk, easy listening, yacht rock.
2. My honeymoon because it was my first time to our beloved St.John USVI
3. Five. It was before I discovered that boys were yucky, that others kids were mean, and that I was on the periphery of my social group. I didn't realize my own awesomeness again until I was in my 30s.
4. Alone time.

#WonderousWednesday @Eggs
@kspenmoll @FantasyChick @Thegirlupstairs

Eggs I can seriously relate to all these!! Thanks for playing 🎼💗📚 3y
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thevagabondlawyer
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Pickpick

I am really glad I got to read this book - Alone Time: Four Seasons, Four Cities and the Pleasures of Solitude because it hits not one but two aspects of what I enjoy: Travel and Solitude. In times when leisure travel is not quite what it used to be, a good travelogue is a perfect companion. Here, Stephanie Rosenbloom recaptured and 👇

thevagabondlawyer reminisced her solo travels in Paris, Istanbul, Florence and her home city New York. If you are fond of traveling solo or if you've experienced traveling alone, you will resonate so much and feel a kindred spirit connection. The challenges and joy of travelling solo, the anticipation and the reality, the lessons learned and memories banked, these are what makes solo travel interesting and life-affirming. I highly recommend this book! 😊👏 3y
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thevagabondlawyer
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Alone, we can power down. We're "off stage," as the sociologist Erving Goffman put it, where we can doff the mask we wear in public and be ourselves. We can be reflective. We have the opportunity for self-evaluation, a chance to consider our actions and take what Westin called a "moral inventory." - from the book, Alone Time: Four Seasons, Four Cities and the Pleasures of Solitude by #StephanieRosenbloom ??

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slategreyskies
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Reading this tonight. So far, I‘m struggling to keep my attention from wandering, but I may just be tired. We‘ll see how it goes tomorrow when I pick it up again. :)

AvidReader25 I just read this one. It was better when I just dipped into it. It didn‘t hold my attention well either, but I enjoyed the descriptions of the cities. 4y
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AvidReader25
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Mehso-so

This is more of a travel memoir than a meditation on alone time, but I enjoyed it. The author breaks 1 year into 4 cities: Paris, Istanbul, Florence, & NYC. I've traveled to all but 1 & loved revisiting them through her descriptions. I agree that traveling alone is empowering & wonderful. You enjoy museums, eating, & sightseeing in a new way.

On dining alone:
“When you‘re not sitting across from someone, you‘re sitting across from the world.”

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BookladyOnTheMove

Recommended by #bookriot The 7 Best Books to Inspire Your Next Vacation

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IMASLOWREADER
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enjoyed the quiet afternoon with some tea & the third book on my tbr for the #11thHourReadathon #readinggoal #bookishgal

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squirrelbrain
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#friyayintro

1. Tagged
2. Definitely by the log-burner, under a blanket, maybe even with an added hot-water bottle!
3. Stealing the squirrel idea Alisia; these squirrels epitomise how Litsy has made me feel this week; such a heart-warming snuggly place to be 🐿❤️
4. I‘ve heard of Yoda, but that‘s about it.... 😬

Thanks for the tag @gradcat

gradcat @squirrelbrain You‘re so welcome . . . love those squirrels & your feelings about Litsy! ♥️ 4y
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youneverarrived
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Pickpick

This was THE perfect book to read while travelling. As well as detailing her own adventures in Paris, Istanbul, Florence & New York she also gives insights into how to make the best of exploring a new city & how to best savour the experience. I‘m not sure if I would be brave enough to travel alone in a foreign city but I 100% admire her, and others, that do. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks Helen for this @squirrelbrain 😘

Cathythoughts Great review! Sounds lovely 👍❤️ 4y
squirrelbrain Glad you liked it! ❤️ So is NYC better than Paris, in your opinion?! 4y
youneverarrived @Cathythoughts thank you 💕 I really enjoyed it. 4y
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youneverarrived @squirrelbrain Paris is still my favourite..but NY definitely comes close! 4y
squirrelbrain Ooh interesting... I adore NYC, but it *is* more than 20 years since I visited Paris. 4y
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain are you planning on going back at some point? I can see what you mean about falling in love with NY though, I already want to go back 😍 be lovely to go at Christmas I think. 4y
squirrelbrain I‘ll definitely go back to Paris sometime, hopefully soon. We went to NYC at Xmas 6 years ago - loved it but I‘ve never been anywhere so busy.... 4y
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain oh yeah I can imagine it being super busy around then. Bet it was amazing though 😃 4y
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youneverarrived
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I‘ve been saving this one to read on my holiday in America @squirrelbrain and so far I‘m loving it.

Having a coffee and reading a bit before more sightseeing in Washington 💙

erzascarletbookgasm Happy holidays! 😘 4y
Cathythoughts Have a lovely time Katie X 4y
Blaire Enjoy! This book sounds lovely. 4y
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LeahBergen Have a lovely holiday! 4y
andrew61 Have a great time. 4y
JennyM Have a lovely time! 4y
youneverarrived @andrew61 thank you 😊 4y
squirrelbrain Hope you‘re having a lovely time! Not jealous at all... 😁 ❤️ 4y
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain thanks lovely, having a great time 😘 4y
kspenmoll I hope you are enjoying yourself!!! 4y
youneverarrived @kspenmoll thank you 😘 having a great time! 4y
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Insightsintobooks
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youneverarrived
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Eee Helen I was so excited when I opened your present. I‘ve been really wanting to read this!! I genuinely can‘t wait to read it and good to know you liked it ♥️♥️ love the card and bookmark too 😘

Cathythoughts Oh how lovely! That chocolate looks divine too ! Happy Birthday Katie ♥️ 5y
squirrelbrain Glad you like it! Hope you‘re having a fab day! 😘 5y
erzascarletbookgasm Lovely! I have that stacked too. Happy Birthday Katie! 5y
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JennyM Happy birthday 🥳 😘♥️ 5y
youneverarrived @Cathythoughts thank you ♥️♥️ 5y
youneverarrived @squirrelbrain I love it 💕 it‘s been a great day 😁 5y
youneverarrived @erzascarletbookgasm it sounds really good doesn‘t it! Thank you Jessie 😘 5y
youneverarrived @JennyM thank you hun 😘 5y
55 likes8 comments
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readtheworld
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Pickpick

Really enjoyed this one on audio — it‘s a mix of travel memoir and research on the merits of solitude. Set in #Paris, #Istanbul, #Florence, and #Manhattan.

#audiobook #travel #nonfiction #readtheworld

CouronneDhiver Oh, I‘m intrigued. 5y
NatalieR Seems like a perfect read for me! 5y
70 likes6 stack adds2 comments
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scripturient
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this! Thanks for recommending it, @squirrelbrain Rosenbloom mixes memoir with observations on foreign cultures and theories on why it is good for us to spend time alone. As someone who really values her alone time I found myself in so many of the pages of this book. Highly recommend!

Mitch I love alone time, and travelling.. so adding it to the TBR! 5y
scripturient @Mitch The last chapter is actually on NYC so maybe something for the plane? :) 5y
Mitch @scripturient 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 5y
squirrelbrain Phew, I‘m glad you liked it after I raved about it so much! @Mitch - I actually preferred the chapter on Paris, which I know you also love! 5y
103 likes8 stack adds4 comments
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scripturient
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Look what you made me do, @squirrelbrain 😁 This came in the post today. 😁

julesG I bought the ebook this morning. @squirrelbrain 😁 5y
scripturient @julesG 😂🙌🏻 5y
squirrelbrain Sorry, not sorry at all 😁 @julesG @scripturient - I just hope it lives up to expectations now 😲🤞 5y
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scripturient @squirrelbrain I‘m sure it will. Sounded like it‘s right up my alley. 😊 5y
Oryx I'm definitely getting this one soon too @squirrelbrain ! 😀 5y
scripturient @squirrelbrain I LOVE that hashtag!!! 😂❤️ 5y
Fridameetslucy I‘m going to see if it‘s in audible - sounds like a great knit and read book. 5y
88 likes2 stack adds8 comments
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squirrelbrain
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Pickpick

One of my favourite books I‘ve read this year. Stephanie spends Spring in Paris, Summer in Istanbul, Autumn in Florence and Winter in New York.

She not only writes about her travels but also about being alone, why it‘s good for us and how we can make the most of ‘Alone Time‘.

I need to have a re-read already to note down all of the little shops, streets and gardens in Paris....

Perfect for Littens!
⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

TrishB This sounds great. Stacked 👍🏻 5y
scripturient I ordered this this morning because of your recommendation. :) 5y
95 likes8 stack adds2 comments
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scripturient
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Time for our amazing Litsy #readingretreat at Gladstone‘s Library. 😍😍😍 @squirrelbrain @RachelO @Oryx @Mitch @julesG @Leniverse @jhod @eraderneely

Crazeedi Oh how I wish I were there! 5y
laurieluna Absolutely stunning! Wish I could have been there ❤ 5y
Oryx So pretty! Can't wait to get there! 5y
See All 15 Comments
JSW This sounds amazing! 5y
tammysue Love these pictures, you all have a wonderful time! 5y
Soubhiville Have a wonderful time! 5y
ScientistSam What a lovely idea! Have a great time 😀 5y
BarbaraJean 😍Have a glorious reading weekend!! 5y
TrishB Lovely 💕 still jealous! 5y
Gaylagal2 I'm so jealous of you all! It looks amazing and what a special trip. Wish we did that here in the US. Enjoy your special weekend 🤙 5y
tpixie So lovely! #LitsyMeetUp 5y
MaGoose @Gaylagal2 I know, I was just thinking the same thing. I'd love to do a reading retreat sometime this year. 5y
DivineDiana This is amazing! ❤️ 5y
ephemeralwaltz How awesome does this sound?! 5y
scripturient @ephemeralwaltz It was amazing! You should come along next year. Check Mitch‘s post for details or search the hashtag #readingretreat 😊 5y
133 likes15 comments
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squirrelbrain
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Adore this book already! Ok, Ok, I admit i haven‘t even left home yet for the #readingretreat and I‘ve started reading it already, but who could fail to love a book that starts like this....

Leniverse Very fitting! I just got on the train and I'm enjoying my alone time. Now to start a book! 5y
rockpools Lovely! I hadn‘t heard of this one. 5y
Chrissyreadit I am so jealous of your train system right now. 5y
Soubhiville Sounds like a really cool book. Have a wonderful time! 5y
youneverarrived Have a lovely time 💕 5y
86 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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vonthegirl
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2 likes1 stack add
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JenReadsAlot
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Pickpick

I love to travel and don't mind going alone. Hope everyone gives this a go! #audio

27 likes1 stack add
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Twocougs
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Pickpick

There are times when I am convinced the book you need, finds you. This one did. Pleasures of solitude says it all.❤️

Heatherfeather Lovely lovely review 5y
46 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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Flaneurette
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Went for a walk with my kindle today, can‘t seem to acquire an affection for audiobooks but I really need to get some exercise. Anyone else a #readwalker ?

TheSpineView Yes! I find it makes the exercise go faster. 6y
Hoopiefoot I used to take my Latin flash cards for walks in college. 😀 6y
Taylor Audiobooks annoy me 6y
37 likes3 comments
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Christine
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this! Appealing premise, well researched and written, lots of lush description - everything I want out of a travel memoir with a social science twist. I fully appreciated the message that deliberate, mindful travel alone - even as a tourist in your own city - can be fun, meaningful, and transformative. ❤️

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Jen2
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Pickpick

Enjoyed it

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Librarybelle
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This sounded so intriguing that I bought a copy for the library‘s collection and checked it out...

RadicalReader @Librarybelle a book called alone time is definitely how one feels when they have picked up a book, they‘re perfectly at peace and feel utter satisfaction 6y
BookishMe Yes, love the title too! 6y
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Librarybelle @BookishMe It‘s great! 6y
k.reads Ah, the perks of librarianship 😁 6y
Librarybelle @k.reads Ha...true! 6y
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ReadingEnvy
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