Inspiring Late Summer Reads

Journal

The books I’m reading right now tie directly into projects I’m working on for my business, which makes them feel extra inspiring. I’ve been diving into basic VW Bus maintenance and was proud to change my own oil this week, it turns out it’s actually pretty simple once you know how! At the same time, I’m continuing to develop ideas for my tour business, mapping out new routes, connecting with local businesses, and exploring new ways to elevate the experience. On the creative side, I’m also developing my upcoming watercolor journaling class and gearing up for the ‘Fall Retreat to Color: Yoga, Art and the Great Outdoors‘, the Wander with Direction fall retreat that I can’t wait to share.

How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step-by-Step Procedures for the Compleat IdiotFirst published in 1969, How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step-by-Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot has earned its place as a beloved classic for VW enthusiasts. Written by the late John Muir, this approachable guide makes caring for an air-cooled Volkswagen—whether a Beetle, Karmann Ghia, van, or camper built through 1978—less intimidating and a lot more fun. With its conversational tone, humorous anecdotes, and clear explanations, the book empowers both first-time tinkerers and seasoned mechanics to diagnose, maintain, and repair their vehicles with confidence. The chapters are paired with charming, detailed illustrations that make the process engaging as well as practical. Updated with fresh photos and resources, this manual remains an indispensable companion for anyone dedicated to keeping their VW running smoothly for years to come.

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Unreasonable HospitalityUnreasonable Hospitality is a call to go beyond the expected and infuse every interaction with generosity, creativity, and care. Drawing on his transformation of Eleven Madison Park into one of the best restaurants in the world, Will Guidara shows how “doing the unreasonable”, whether it’s turning dinner into a once-in-a-lifetime memory or treating your team like trusted partners, creates experiences that linger long after the moment has passed. More than a book about restaurants, it’s a reminder that any business can become a hospitality business when we choose to delight others in surprising, meaningful ways.

I connected with this idea, because some might say the effort I put into my developing my yoga themes or the fact that I tour in a vintage VW bus is a little unreasonable. Yet for me, the quirks and challenges are part of the magic. Whether it’s riding with the top down, laughing as we coax the bus up a hill, or dancing the warriors on top of hill overlooking the lake as the sun rises, it’s all about creating unforgettable experiences. My goal, like Guidara’s, is to spread joy and craft memories that people carry with them long after the ride is over.

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The Secret Lives of Color
The Secret Lives of Color by Kassia St. Clair is a lively exploration of seventy-five shades that each tell their own surprising story. From pigments that swayed battles and warded off disease to the iconic hues that shaped artists, fashions, and cultural movements, this book shows how color has always been more than meets the eye. With curiosity and charm, St. Clair uncovers the history, symbolism, and influence of colors like imperial purple, acid yellow, and ultramarine blue, making the story of humanity just as vibrant as its palette.

This book is also the suggested read for the Fall Retreat to Color: Yoga, Art, & The Great Outdoors. It’s a perfect little icebreaker to spark conversation with fellow retreat guests, while tying beautifully into the retreat’s theme. Best of all, it’s a fun and flexible read—you can pick it up, flip to any page, and enjoy a story without needing to read it cover to cover. Ideal for those short pockets of downtime when you’d rather dive into something inspiring than scroll online.

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Each of these books, in their own way, is helping me shape the path forward, whether it’s giving me the confidence to get under the hood of my VW, inspiring me to craft tours that feel extraordinary, or reminding me of the beauty and meaning woven into something as simple as color. I love that reading can fuel both the practical side of running a business and the creative spark that keeps it fun and full of heart. As I continue building Wander with Direction, my hope is to bring these lessons off the page and into real experiences, moments of connection, discovery, and a little bit of magic that last long after the journey ends.