Out of uncertain times comes inspiring and creative thinking. The COVID-19 quarantine inspired many to follow their passions. Mike Nixon took advantage of this time and launched his book Life, Travel and the People in Between. As Nixon states, “Why not take chances.”

Nixon was working behind the desk at a Comfort Inn, and the hotel guests he met sparked his desire to travel. But he didn’t know where to start. Following a friend’s advice, Nixon took the opportunity to study abroad in the Dominican Republic. Afterward, the travel bug bites Nixon hard, and the adventures begin.

The book chronicles Nixon’s travels around the globe and highlights the friends he meets along the way. The first third of Life, Travel and the People in Between covers Nixon’s upbringing and experience. The book then discusses his worldwide travels, with the last section focusing on what life is like after traveling and if he can juggle travel with work and financial obligations.

I enjoyed this travel and coming-of-age story. It was admirable that Nixon could overcome growing up in a low-income, high-crime St. Louis area and find a successful path using his will, dreams and support of friends and family. His enthusiasm for people, cultures and experiencing new destinations is infectious.

Nixon seems experienced beyond his years, and his advice on travel and life is meaningful and memorable. As Nixon states, “don’t measure time by money but rather the experiences.”

This book had me from the beginning. Nixon’s backstory kept me wanting more. However, when the story shifts from the backstory to daily travel, my enthusiasm waned a bit. Although the destinations are fascinating, the journalistic style that makes up most of the traveling memories fell dry. Unless you are preparing to travel to one of the destinations described in the book, the stories may not be exciting.

However, if you are dreaming of doing something more with your life and getting out to explore corners of the world, this book is for you. Nixon goes for it and encourages others to do the same. And as Nixon proves, you don’t have to have pockets full of money or vacation days to do it. The uplifting and heartwarming theme Nixon exhumes throughout is that he finds the common good in most people. As Nixon states, “It’s interesting how sharing special occasions with other humans makes life all the more worthwhile.”