Due North: A collection of travel observations, reflections, and snapshots across colors, cultures, and continents

by Lola Akinmade Åkerström

Due North is a collection of travel observations, reflections, and snapshots spanning two decades across colors, cultures, and continents by award-winning travel writer and photographer Lola Akinmade Åkerström.

Praise for Due North


“It would have been enough for Lola Akinmade Åkerström to simply share her gift through her photographs. That she chose to also share her unique insights and the stories behind those incredible photos is our luck. In Due North, her curious spirit shines through, along with her journalistic abilities to quickly read the people she meets and attempt to understand each world she enters. With each story, you sense her initial feelings of “other” and move with her to notions of understanding. She brings a humanness to the page and you feel completely cared for as she guides you through immediately relatable stories in distant lands. This book isn’t one you’ll be able to read quickly. Each of these stories deserve a cup of tea and a Sunday morning.”...Heather Greenwood Davis, Award-winning travel writer and contributing editor at National Geographic Traveler

“Lola makes you want more than just to explore the world. Her stories incite your desire to travel deeply, form connections with people, and live life with her openness and love for all people. The joy that is Lola’s photography punctuates each gorgeous story from her life. It will move you as you can’t help but think ‘I want to go there!’”...Leigh Shulman, Author, writing coach and founder of Creative Revolution writing retreats for women

“Due North is a book of color, poetry, and love—a love for places, objects, and losing oneself in the greatness of the globe. Lola has a magic eye for all beauty, both simple and strange, and she shares it so well. This is an uplifting book made for all those who desire for more beauty in their lives. Surely, it is a gift to see the world through Lola’s eyes.”...Andrew Evans, Award-winning author, travel writer, and TV host, National Geographic Channel

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Memoir

177 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 26, 2017

About the author

Award-winning Nigerian-American visual storyteller and international bestselling author based in Stockholm, Sweden.

Reviews

[Olga Mecking · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely gorgeous book, with beautiful writing and stunning photography.

In "Due North," acclaimed writer and photographer Lola Akinmade Akerstrom shares touching stories of the people she met while traveling, the countries she saw, and the places she has learned to call home.

My advice is: if you really want to enjoy this book, get the paper version, the e-book doesn't really do the stories (or the photos)

A great gift for everyone who loves traveling, or just enjoys beautiful books.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning photography.

Beautiful stories.

[Andi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this book...and this author! I loved every word - the beautiful descriptions that painted the scenes in my mind; I loved the photographs that portrayed the people living their lives within their own cultures. I loved the author's humility and reverence for other cultures; she never disrupted, never made herself the center of attention, just quietly observed and looked for ways to connect with people all over the world. I can see why she is a successful National Geographic journalist and photographer and I will seek her out in the publications to which she contributes. This book was a complete joy to read!

[JoAnna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three-line review: Written by my friend and colleague, this coffee table book is a collection of stories and photographs from Lola's travels organized by compass direction. Each story transports readers to a distinct place and time, which has always been one of her strong strengths as a writer. A note of warning: The Kindle book is very difficult to read; invest in the hardcover.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

“ But to me slow travel has never been about duration. It is about pace. It encourages us to relax and reconsider why we’re traveling. It inspires us to embrace seeing less, but going deeper into a culture - and how that can enrich and transform us much more than skimming its surface. I connect with a place through its local lifestyles, regardless of whether I’m spending 24 hours or 24 days there. In a city that could be lingering in a particular district certain group of people. I most like to hang out with butchers, fishmongers and fruit and vegetable vendors.”

Beautiful book with gorgeous photographs from around the world; part journalistic report, part personal diary. A Yoruban Nigerian woman goes to school in Maryland and marries a Swedish Laplander. But most importantly,she is a lover of world travel. Loved it.