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Finding Katya: How I Quit Everything to Backpack the Former Soviet States
Finding Katya is the inspiring and compelling story of one woman who ditches everything to embark on an unconventional adventure through the former Soviet Union.
On her 35th birthday, Katie Aune was at a crossroads. Still reeling from a difficult breakup and longing to find more meaning in her life, she hopped on a one-way flight to start a year-long journey of discovery. Once a Russian and East European Studies major in college, Aune plotted a course that would take her through all 15 states of the former Soviet Union.
In a book that is part memoir, part travelogue, Aune takes readers along as she discovers places that are far off the typical tourist track, from riding the Trans-Siberian Railway across Russia and taking a cargo ferry from Ukraine to Georgia, to volunteering in Tajikistan and camping in the desert of Turkmenistan. Faced with the vulnerability of traveling solo through unfamiliar lands, she shakes off her insecurities, embraces the unknown and realizes that each journey is worthwhile, even if it doesn’t go as planned.
On her 35th birthday, Katie Aune was at a crossroads. Still reeling from a difficult breakup and longing to find more meaning in her life, she hopped on a one-way flight to start a year-long journey of discovery. Once a Russian and East European Studies major in college, Aune plotted a course that would take her through all 15 states of the former Soviet Union.
In a book that is part memoir, part travelogue, Aune takes readers along as she discovers places that are far off the typical tourist track, from riding the Trans-Siberian Railway across Russia and taking a cargo ferry from Ukraine to Georgia, to volunteering in Tajikistan and camping in the desert of Turkmenistan. Faced with the vulnerability of traveling solo through unfamiliar lands, she shakes off her insecurities, embraces the unknown and realizes that each journey is worthwhile, even if it doesn’t go as planned.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2023
7 people are currently reading
4191 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 3, 2024
On her 35th birthday, Katie set off on a year-long solo adventure to explore the Soviet Union. While there, she volunteered, taught English, learned multiple new languages, explored new cultures and learned a great deal about herself in the process. I was shocked at the amount of information I learned and enjoyed digging into an area of the world that I have never seen and likely never will. But I most enjoyed the connection to Katie herself and seeing how her solo adventure on the outside was helping her grow on the inside. If you’re a travel buff and have always wanted to see this area of the world, you’ll get a firsthand account through this memoir and maybe even decide to create an adventure for yourself, too.
August 13, 2023
4.5 stars
January 31, 2024
An excellent travelogue through the former USSR that has done nothing for my wanderlust. I’ve followed Katie Aune for years and this book was a great read.
December 22, 2023
Finding Katya: How I Quit Everything to Backpack the Former Soviet States by Katie R. Aune
This is the memoir of Katie R. Aune, who spent a year backpacking in Russia and the former Soviet Union republics. Katie is a lawyer with a high-paying job and friends but she leaves it all behind to satisfy her desire to travel. The wanderlust she feels pushes her to meticulously plan out nearly every detail of the trip from flight schedules, housing, even down to her budget for food. Katie has always dreamed of visiting Russia since she was young. She understands the Russian language because she majored in Russian Studies in college. She has planned this trip for years and knows the history of the country and customs. Katie arranges accomodations in various homes by enrolling in an overseas volunteer organization to teach English. She will sleep in people's houses in exchange for room and board and teaching English to adults.
Katie experiences a rough awakening in her first residency at a couple's home in Saint Petersburg. The woman wrote Katie that she had two teens but when she arrives, Katie finds five children. Outdoor showers are common in Russia which means an hour-long wait until the boiler heats the water. Katie is used to the comforts of her Chicago condominum, so she's shocked by the toilet, which is essentially a wooden shed with a seatless toilet, a veritable hole in the ground. Strange food does not agree with Katie due to her digestive condition so she lives on candy bars until she finds food she can eat. Thin blankets, unheated rooms and broken window glass that lets in rain and cold, further greet Katie in her first month homesteading. That's not what the volunteer organization advertised on their website when Katie signed up. If she has to stay in a hotel, that will make a dent in her finances and possibly cut her dream trip short. But Katie decides she will endure whatever cultural surprises she encounters in the next year.
The book is written in a diary format where Katie tells the story of her experiences in each place she visits. Her dream of going to Asia comes true as she travels to each of the "stans" as the former Soviet republics are named by travelers. She visits Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and more until she crosses all those countries off her wish list. Katie also writes about what happened in Mongolia and Siberia. Strange people, cultures and unfamiliar customs both delight and shock Katie. She even has a romantic relationship and makes friends.
I wanted to read Finding Katya because the topic intrigued me. Like Katie, I traveled alone to a foreign country. Lithuania is a Central European country where I didn't know anyone. The language is very strange. Their alphabet is Cyrillic, not our familiar ABC alphabet. I couldn't make out anything on street signs or menus. I was part of a month-long writing workshop so I had daily contact with a few people. When Katie feels alone and second-guesses her decision to travel alone, I felt sympathy for her since I had a similar episode.
I loved reading about her meeting new people. Her admission that she's an introvert may confuse readers. How could an introvert go on a journey to Europe and Asia alone? Introverts have a gift of usually being comfortable with themselves. Traveling solo requires the ability to spend long periods of time alone with no companion or someone to share experiences. Katie had no one as a guide or protector on this journey, only herself. She communicated with people everywhere she went, yet she alone was responsible for her own self-care and to be her own travel guide.
I thought it was significant how Katie mentioned that others called her Katya. They renamed her and she kept the name. Making decisions of where to go next, the type of transportation to use, and who to speak to or not, showed her independence and inner strèngth. The episode where Katie finds herself in a sleeper car on a train with drunk passengers was amusing. Nothing bad happened to her. Her first instinct was to try to ignore them. Instead, she reached out to the travelers and accepted their invitation to share a drink and a bit of dancing. That will be something special to talk about in the future. Not everyone gets to take a train ride across Russia and Asia.
I liked the descriptions of historic places and the geography of each country. Her portrayals of people and their customs made the book interesting. I was able to visualize the characters she met. The time she spent with a family in Tajikistan was amazing. She taught them English and in turn they welcomed her. She described the family so well and told about her feelings for them, that I felt like I was there with them. Katie used games to teach them English and accepted a gift of a hand-sewn dress the young girls made for her. When she had to leave, I felt like I was leaving also.
Katie writes about her bad experiences, not just the happy and good times. When she writes about meeting a man who she dates for awhile, it shows how she was open to new social relationships. Even when their relationship ends, Katie doesn't give up and run home to the United States. She continues on her journey. I'm glad I had the chance to read Katie's story.
Finding Katya is a wonderful book. 5 Stars!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/katieaune
Instagram: https://instagram.com/katieaune
Threads https://threads.net/katieaune
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katieaune
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieaune/
This is the memoir of Katie R. Aune, who spent a year backpacking in Russia and the former Soviet Union republics. Katie is a lawyer with a high-paying job and friends but she leaves it all behind to satisfy her desire to travel. The wanderlust she feels pushes her to meticulously plan out nearly every detail of the trip from flight schedules, housing, even down to her budget for food. Katie has always dreamed of visiting Russia since she was young. She understands the Russian language because she majored in Russian Studies in college. She has planned this trip for years and knows the history of the country and customs. Katie arranges accomodations in various homes by enrolling in an overseas volunteer organization to teach English. She will sleep in people's houses in exchange for room and board and teaching English to adults.
Katie experiences a rough awakening in her first residency at a couple's home in Saint Petersburg. The woman wrote Katie that she had two teens but when she arrives, Katie finds five children. Outdoor showers are common in Russia which means an hour-long wait until the boiler heats the water. Katie is used to the comforts of her Chicago condominum, so she's shocked by the toilet, which is essentially a wooden shed with a seatless toilet, a veritable hole in the ground. Strange food does not agree with Katie due to her digestive condition so she lives on candy bars until she finds food she can eat. Thin blankets, unheated rooms and broken window glass that lets in rain and cold, further greet Katie in her first month homesteading. That's not what the volunteer organization advertised on their website when Katie signed up. If she has to stay in a hotel, that will make a dent in her finances and possibly cut her dream trip short. But Katie decides she will endure whatever cultural surprises she encounters in the next year.
The book is written in a diary format where Katie tells the story of her experiences in each place she visits. Her dream of going to Asia comes true as she travels to each of the "stans" as the former Soviet republics are named by travelers. She visits Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and more until she crosses all those countries off her wish list. Katie also writes about what happened in Mongolia and Siberia. Strange people, cultures and unfamiliar customs both delight and shock Katie. She even has a romantic relationship and makes friends.
I wanted to read Finding Katya because the topic intrigued me. Like Katie, I traveled alone to a foreign country. Lithuania is a Central European country where I didn't know anyone. The language is very strange. Their alphabet is Cyrillic, not our familiar ABC alphabet. I couldn't make out anything on street signs or menus. I was part of a month-long writing workshop so I had daily contact with a few people. When Katie feels alone and second-guesses her decision to travel alone, I felt sympathy for her since I had a similar episode.
I loved reading about her meeting new people. Her admission that she's an introvert may confuse readers. How could an introvert go on a journey to Europe and Asia alone? Introverts have a gift of usually being comfortable with themselves. Traveling solo requires the ability to spend long periods of time alone with no companion or someone to share experiences. Katie had no one as a guide or protector on this journey, only herself. She communicated with people everywhere she went, yet she alone was responsible for her own self-care and to be her own travel guide.
I thought it was significant how Katie mentioned that others called her Katya. They renamed her and she kept the name. Making decisions of where to go next, the type of transportation to use, and who to speak to or not, showed her independence and inner strèngth. The episode where Katie finds herself in a sleeper car on a train with drunk passengers was amusing. Nothing bad happened to her. Her first instinct was to try to ignore them. Instead, she reached out to the travelers and accepted their invitation to share a drink and a bit of dancing. That will be something special to talk about in the future. Not everyone gets to take a train ride across Russia and Asia.
I liked the descriptions of historic places and the geography of each country. Her portrayals of people and their customs made the book interesting. I was able to visualize the characters she met. The time she spent with a family in Tajikistan was amazing. She taught them English and in turn they welcomed her. She described the family so well and told about her feelings for them, that I felt like I was there with them. Katie used games to teach them English and accepted a gift of a hand-sewn dress the young girls made for her. When she had to leave, I felt like I was leaving also.
Katie writes about her bad experiences, not just the happy and good times. When she writes about meeting a man who she dates for awhile, it shows how she was open to new social relationships. Even when their relationship ends, Katie doesn't give up and run home to the United States. She continues on her journey. I'm glad I had the chance to read Katie's story.
Finding Katya is a wonderful book. 5 Stars!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/katieaune
Instagram: https://instagram.com/katieaune
Threads https://threads.net/katieaune
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katieaune
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieaune/
December 28, 2023
This excellent travel memoir is exciting, full of fascinating adventures, inspiring, and a truly satisfying reading experience.
After reading FINDING KATYA, I am in awe of author Katie R. Aune, who set out to travel the countries of the former USSR and fulfill a lifelong dream. What an incredible journey and what an incredible travel memoir she’s written to share what she saw, experienced, and learned. Her story is exciting, full of fascinating adventures, and inspiring!
The author is one bold and determined woman. Her decision to quit her job and sell up is not one made lightly or for the faint of heart. I would feel like I was walking off a cliff! However, she did extensive research, and the years she dreamt of this trip were not spent just hoping; she studied and gained useful language skills that would eventually make the possible a successful reality. I was so impressed by how she arranged homestays and side gigs to extend her finances and even traveled with her Kindle to get online! As an introvert who worked in an extroverted industry (public speaking) for 40+ years myself, I could relate to her need for solitude to recharge and, inversely, her need to connect with other like-minded travelers.The author’s writing style was easy to read and comfortable, and she immediately drew me into her life and the story of her amazing journey. I liked the inclusion of Russian phrases and terms she learned in other languages. These are sprinkled throughout the text, and she does a great job with context or slipping in the exact translation to ensure these are understood. She was even able to differentiate and keep all the ‘stans separate for me!
Her colorful descriptions of the places she went and the people she met were vivid, and I felt like I was actually seeing things through her eyes. I loved everything she wrote about and commiserated with her disappointments. Whenever she described her next border crossing, I was completely in the moment with the uncertain and, sometimes, baffling procedures, formidable guards, and inscrutable customs officials. With the heat and humidity, lines of people waiting (or cutting the line!), and the specter of the horror stories of what can go wrong always lurking in the background, the tension of these scenes was palpable and nerve-wracking, and I was just reading about it! Ultimately, this story about her journey was a satisfying way to armchair travel.I recommend FINDING KATYA to readers who enjoy non-fiction, travel memoirs, and strong female protagonists.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through WOW! Women On Writing Book Tours.
July 20, 2023
In all fairness, I know the author, and that is why I bought this book. I met her in March at a hotel in Buenos Aires and from there we spent almost 2 weeks together. This book explains how she was confident enough to make a side trip to Uraguay before we headed to Antarctica. I, myself, spent the day of her trip sleeping. I was going to tour Buenos Aires, but instead, I spent the day sleeping. This is neither here nor there about this book, but something I think I should be honest about. Though I have spent today drinking wine, this all might be unnecessary
But about the book, it is a well written journey of a 13-month trip through the former Soviet Union. The only one of the places she visited that I have experienced was St. Petersburg, and while her experiences were different than mine, I can see it as I saw it about 4 years ago. And she brings that city to life.
Her experiences with the people and travel are amazing, and you can see it. As a fellow introvert, I fully identify with her experiences as if I were there. Katie traveled through the states of the former Soviet Union and presented an honest experience, and while it wasn't all good, you ended up amazed that she was able to accomplish this alone. Her Russian, while not fluent, was proficient enough to make it through these states. I am assuming it was not fluent by what she wrote. She never spoke to me in Russian, and if she had, I would have had no idea what she said, so it would have been had she done so. Though, when we were at the Russian base in Antarctica, had we not been hurried onto the zodiac after our half marathon, it might have been useful. And so, to my friend Katie, I loved your book.
But about the book, it is a well written journey of a 13-month trip through the former Soviet Union. The only one of the places she visited that I have experienced was St. Petersburg, and while her experiences were different than mine, I can see it as I saw it about 4 years ago. And she brings that city to life.
Her experiences with the people and travel are amazing, and you can see it. As a fellow introvert, I fully identify with her experiences as if I were there. Katie traveled through the states of the former Soviet Union and presented an honest experience, and while it wasn't all good, you ended up amazed that she was able to accomplish this alone. Her Russian, while not fluent, was proficient enough to make it through these states. I am assuming it was not fluent by what she wrote. She never spoke to me in Russian, and if she had, I would have had no idea what she said, so it would have been had she done so. Though, when we were at the Russian base in Antarctica, had we not been hurried onto the zodiac after our half marathon, it might have been useful. And so, to my friend Katie, I loved your book.
June 23, 2023
Finding Katya tells the story of Katie Aune, who quit her six-figure job as a tax attorney in order to travel through the former republics of the Soviet Union. Her story will captivate anyone who has ever had an interest in taking time away from everyday life to see the world or who is simply curious about what such an adventure would entail. A gifted writer, Katie openly shares the challenges she faced during her yearlong journey, which range from the pedestrian (language barriers, money issues) to the profound (loneliness, romantic travails). Open and sometimes raw, Katie is unafraid to talk about the difficulty of traveling as a single woman outside of well-traveled tourist areas on a limited budget with dietary restrictions related to Celiac disease.
What sets this book apart from similar travelogues is Katie’s willingness to openly share not just the highs but also the lows of her travels. She is quick to point out that some of her regular hosts were more welcoming than others and that some of the strongest connections she made arose from random encounters. Katie also sprinkles in reflections on her childhood and how early events in her life shaped her interest in the former Soviet Union. I strongly recommend this well-written, thoughtful story about how travel can teach someone not only about the world around them but also about themselves.
What sets this book apart from similar travelogues is Katie’s willingness to openly share not just the highs but also the lows of her travels. She is quick to point out that some of her regular hosts were more welcoming than others and that some of the strongest connections she made arose from random encounters. Katie also sprinkles in reflections on her childhood and how early events in her life shaped her interest in the former Soviet Union. I strongly recommend this well-written, thoughtful story about how travel can teach someone not only about the world around them but also about themselves.
July 17, 2023
For context: I met Katie prior to her trip-of-a-lifetime journey through the former soviet states. Somewhere slightly closer to acquaintances than true friends, I still felt lucky to know Katie personally, follow along on her adventures via her blog, and even be included on occasional email check-ins with friends back home.
But getting to read her book, I feel like I was given a rare and special opportunity to REALLY learn about her travels. Not just the curated snippets we share on social media, or the highlight reel we give when friends ask about our travels. Finding Katya was like getting to hear about the parts of travel we usually only reserve for our diaries. The things we learn about culture and history through the sites and the things we learn about ourselves while visiting somewhere new.
If you have any interest in other cultures, solo travel, or just enjoy travel memoirs, this book is definitely worth a read.
Katie is a talented writer unafraid of exposing her vulnerabilities and her book sparked an interest for me in countries I never thought much about before.
But getting to read her book, I feel like I was given a rare and special opportunity to REALLY learn about her travels. Not just the curated snippets we share on social media, or the highlight reel we give when friends ask about our travels. Finding Katya was like getting to hear about the parts of travel we usually only reserve for our diaries. The things we learn about culture and history through the sites and the things we learn about ourselves while visiting somewhere new.
If you have any interest in other cultures, solo travel, or just enjoy travel memoirs, this book is definitely worth a read.
Katie is a talented writer unafraid of exposing her vulnerabilities and her book sparked an interest for me in countries I never thought much about before.
June 16, 2023
I loved this book, it was very inspiring to read about someone taking a trip like this and leaving corporate America behind for a while. Most of the book is describing the places and experiences the author had during her travels, and it was a good mix of information about these little known parts of the world with some personal stories woven in to keep it interesting. I found myself pulling up a map several times as this book made me want to learn more about these places. Highly recommend!
July 16, 2023
I enjoyed following Katie’s adventure in real time via social media, so I was excited to read a full recap of her trip. She does an amazing job of making you feel as if you are on the trip with her. In addition to travel experiences, you get a glimpse into her personal growth. Many can relate to the relationship and confidence struggles she faces along the way. The book is a must read for those who love or are curious about traveling.
October 2, 2023
The chronicle of Katie's travels through the former Soviet states takes you back in time and to a part of the world that few of us ever get to know. As a traveler myself, I found many common themes that unite all of us as wanderers and in our search to fit in even as we thirst for foreign experiences in obscure corners of the world. This book is beautifully written and is a must read for anyone that has ever been curious on what it is like for a single woman to travel in unknown places.
July 3, 2023
I enjoyed reading about Katie's experience traveling and how it impacted her personal growth. I learned new details about many of the countries, which was intriguing to me and encourages me to learn more about the places she traveled in the future.
Thank you Katie for a great reading experience and thanks to Goodreads for being a giveaway winner for this delightful book!
Thank you Katie for a great reading experience and thanks to Goodreads for being a giveaway winner for this delightful book!
December 19, 2023
Not exactly a warm and fuzzy travel journal, but a true representation of a woman on a fantastic journey.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews