Reviews

The Backpack Years: Two Memoirs, One Story by James Wilson, Stefanie Wilson

breathing_pages's review

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5.0

It's been a while since I read a memoir. And, this one didn't disappoint. It's the perfect time to read this because this specific memoir is part travel and part romance; a superb read for the summer.

This is the tale of James and Stefanie, two backpackers who are trying to escape life. It is a tale narrated together and apart at the same time. On their attempt to avoid life's hardships and failures, they get to know each other while they're on their wildest adventure of their life.

I loved taking the journey with both of them. There are two different but very special voices narrating this story. Two points of views that take you with them whether you want to or not. Truly, a lovely journey that teach you to dare, to be fearless, to try, to love.

The element of romance makes this memoir even more interesting. A travel diary that teaches you the pros and cons of travelling, but also, the reality of a relationship.

Truly, I recommend reading this book. I love travelling, so this made me more fearless about it. Take it with you on the beach this summer! 5 stars from this gal here.

onceuponamaltesereader's review

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5.0

The Backpack Years is a travel memoir that is ideal for this time of the year. Bookstagrammers.com and the authors Stephanie and James Wilson gave me this opportunity to review this book and it did not disappoint. It is a refreshing, part travel, part romance memoir of two individual beings that intertwines into a blissful adventure. This review is solely my opinion and spoiler free.
The story takes place with James and Stef, our two backpackers that accounts for how their previous life before getting to know each other was on one side miserable and on the other side void. James, driven by debt had to flee to Australia to find a new lifestyle. While Stef, with the excuse of studying abroad in Spain, left a life of unnecessary risks. The adventures took these two persons apart from each other, yet life has a magical way of forging their path together. What is written, cannot be undone. These two characters accounts an adventure of a lifetime that took them around thirteen countries and around four continents, but this shows the determination of how far one will go for love.
As I said before, the story is ideal for this time of the year. It is the time where the Pandemic is ending which means that people are travelling more. Many of us truly missed the adventure, and this story could fill the void that Covid-19 left in our heart. It is a story of hope for those who life sees it as cruel and full of despair. It is the story of Romeo and Juliet in a modern-tale account. The only difference is that it ends in a twist that I cannot spoil. I highly recommend this book especially if you have the soul of a traveller.

thenarrative's review

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5.0

 
A huge thank you to Stefanie and James Wilson and bookstagrammers.com for a proof copy in exchange for an honest review. 
 
If you ask me what one of my favorite nonfiction genres is - travel writing is one of my immediate answers. I truly love escaping into the nomad lifestyle, and I always have - back when I never traveled to now, where I have visited country after country and experienced the same things. It is nice to read about adventuring through the world. On top of that, especially as I have gotten older, I love when these books tackle real-life issues and trials. 
 
In The Backpack Years, Stefanie and James Wilson detail their own individual memoirs, with their connected travels. WE follow Stef as she leaves America for Spain, fully taking advantage of a new lifestyle where no one knows her. James on the other hand has problem after problem that happens to him in England and eventually decides to escape to Australia to a start over. When these two meet in Sydney, their paths are nothing close to similar, yet at the same time, these said adventures pull them together. So much so that they end their single travels and forge a new path together. What remains is a world of red tape, miscommunication, and relocation as Stef and James try one last adventure as a couple. 
 
This book follows 13 different countries over 4 continents. It is a great escape from the world we currently are experiencing, taking us to all different corners of the world. I truly loved this book because of how real it was. Stef and James write with such beautiful prose, providing perfect examples of imagery that, while they feel distant from us, could also be grasped in reality. 
 
I cannot recommend this book enough! 5 stars! 

that_bookaholic_gal's review

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The snow capped mountains loomed in the distance… their majestic stance a beautiful background. She sipped on a hot chocolate as she observed all the people around her, feeling a sense of peace that she had never experienced before.
The ocean waves crashed and splashed his feet with cool water, soothing in the unrelenting heat. The sticky fruit juice coated his lips as he enjoyed the sweet treat. This place was new and invigorating and he couldn’t imagine returning to his old life.
What these adventurers don’t know… is that their journeys will be life-changing.

The Backpack Years is a dual memoir of two people traveling around the world and their individual experiences as they explore new places. Soon their individual adventures collide and they get to experience the world together.

I loved getting to visit different countries through the eyes of Stefanie & James and getting insight to interesting history and customs. Although this book is non-fiction, it read like a wonderful fiction story.

If you’re a fan of travel then I highly recommend picking up this memoir!
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