First published 2004
Nicholas Sparks receives a travel brochure that changes everything. At thirty-seven and thirty-eight, he and his brother Micah are the sole survivors of their family. They decide to embark on a three-week global adventure in January 2003. Their journey takes them to Machu Picchu in the Andes, Easter Island, Ayers Rock in the Australian outback, and across the Indian subcontinent. As they travel to these remarkable destinations, the brothers reflect on their childhood adventures and the family tragedies that shaped their lives. Micah brings his daredevil spirit while Nicholas offers his more contemplative perspective. Together they uncover surprising insights about loss, love, and hope. Sparks narrates their story with humor and honesty, including personal photographs from their travels. The book reveals how extraordinary places can illuminate ordinary truths about embracing life's uncertainties and treasuring both small joys and significant moments with the people who matter most.
Genres: biography, family, travel, contemporary, adult, memoir
Vibes: heartfelt, hopeful, intimate, nostalgic, reflective, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, found-family, second-chance
Setting: Machu Picchu, Easter Island, Ayers Rock, Australian Outback, Indian Subcontinent, Andes
Period: January 2003, 21st-century
368 pages · Paperback · Grand Central Publishing
Content warnings: death