Stephanie Rosenbloom

This was an interesting mixture of travelogue along with factoids about people doing things solo. I appreciated reading about visiting museums alone especially since it’s very rare for me to be with anyone I know in a museum, and I’ve treasured wandering them by myself. The author visits Paris, Istanbul, and Florence all for writer/reporter reasons and then New York as a resident. I don’t think I’ve felt so much of the “writer reasons” in other books as I did here, and it put me off of it. Having an empathy with and even just liking the author is important to me, and I realized that what felt like pretentiousness to me was what put me off as well.… (meer)

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

On dining alone while traveling:
“When you’re not sitting across from someone, you’re sitting across from the world.”… (meer)

I really enjoyed following Stephanie's alone time travels to Paris, Istanbul, Florence and New York (I've been to Paris many times, and Florence twice). A lot of nodding went on in regards to the joys and pleasures of travelling alone. I've been doing it for forty years. This is a great reminder of its benefits, and a wonderful inspiration for those of all ages who haven't yet given it a go.

The only thing that lost it half a star was the endless name checking of researchers and studies that confirmed what I already knew.… (meer)

Yes, the concept isn't new, but as someone who is already comfortable being and traveling alone, I still found value in revisiting these pleasures through the author's experience, especially at the start of a new year when intentions are set.
- The potential in slowing down and noticing places & details overlooked in our daily routines;
- The discoveries awaiting by wandering off the well-traveled path;
- The joy of savoring small moments without pressure of time.
Alone Time inspired me to initiate monthly rambling I am calling "wander Wednesdays".… (meer)