2025
Travel on Purpose
Book Club

Join our friendly group of thoughtful readers and armchair travelers.
Together we will "travel" to countries around the globe,
learning about people, culture and history.

Best of all, we'll partner with a do-good organization in the country
where our book takes place to learn about their work and fund a project.

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Quarter One (South Africa: The Fever Tree) is now closed

Book Club Membership will open again in March for our second book of the year. Those interested in joining will have the option to sign up for our second book only or the remaining three of the year.

If you would like to be the notified when registration opens up in March, email bookclub@travelonpurpose.com.


Join us on an unforgettable journey in 2025:

South Africa, Haiti, Nepal & Lebanon

South Africa
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The Fever Tree
by Jennifer McVeigh
Haiti
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Brother, I’m Dying
by Edwidge Danticat
Nepal
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Lebanon
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An Unnecessary Woman
by Rabih Alameddine

A Unique Book Club
with Purpose

Join us on a trip around the world through books! In addition to learning together, building community, and broadening our perspectives, we'll also make an impact in the world for good!

Every book is paired with a local organization that is doing good work in the country where our book takes place! Every quarter celebrates a well-vetted non-profit organization that will be the recipient of a book club donation from membership fees. Your participation means that together we will make a global impact for good in 2025.
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What's Included:

  • Each month includes an invitation to a Zoom meeting with book discussions and inspiring conversations with guest speakers.
  • Each quarter includes a curated gift box related to the book, containing 3-6 items from around the world.
  • A donation to our do-good partner for that quarter.  In fact, 70% of membership fees are donated to charity.
  • Each quarter includes our unique "book companion" filled with country information, recipes, a related film list, ideas for a community night, and so much more.
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What's not included:

Just your book!
  • Purchase or borrow your own copy
  • Choose your favorite way to enjoy—whether it’s an audiobook, a digital version, or a classic paperback!
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What's the cost?

  • $195 for the entire 2025 year membership! When you sign up for the entire year at once, you save $25.
  • Or if you'd prefer to pay for just the quarters you're interested in, join for $55 per quarter. 

Our Do-Good Partners in 2025

 This year we will partner with a community development organization in South Africa, a strong-family program in Haiti, an anti-trafficking organization in Nepal, and an organization meeting the needs of vulnerable children in Lebanon.
 

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Our 2025 Books

The Fever Tree
by Jennifer McVeigh
Genre: Fiction


Quarter One:
  • January
  • February
  • March  
The Fever Tree by Jennifer McVeigh is a captivating historical fiction novel that transports readers to 19th-century South Africa, exploring love, betrayal, and self-discovery themes. The story follows Frances Irvine, a young woman whose life is shattered by the sudden death of her father, leaving her family in financial ruin. With limited options, she chooses to marry Edwin Matthews, a distant cousin, thus transplanting her to South Africa, where he lives and works as a doctor. Upon her arrival, Frances is thrust into the harsh, unfamiliar world of colonial life in the Transvaal. Her marriage to Edwin, a man she barely knows, only adds to her isolation and disillusionment. As she struggles to adapt to her new life, she meets William Westbrook, an enigmatic and ambitious trader, who introduces her to diamond mining. The novel delves into Frances's evolving understanding of love, loyalty, and the ethical dilemmas that arise as she navigates the brutal reality of the mining industry - the exploitation of local workers, the destruction of the natural environment, and the ruthless pursuit of profit. Her growing feelings for Willianm complicate her relationship with her husband, while the social unrest in the region further adds to the tension. Through her journey in Africa, Frances learns to question societal norms, find her own identity, and stand up for what she believes. The Fever Tree is a richly layered narrative that will captivate readers with its emotional depth, moral dilemmas, and evocative setting.

Brother, I'm Dying
by Edwidge Danticat
Genre: Autobiography


Quarter Two:
  • April
  • May
  • June 
Brother, I’m Dying by Edwidge Danticat is a deeply emotional memoir that weaves together themes of family, loss, migration, and the complexities of identity. The book centers on Danticat’s relationship with two important figures in her life: her father and her uncle Joseph. As the story unfolds, Danticat reflects on the pain and love that defined her connections to these men, offering a poignant portrayal of the immigrant experience. The memoir begins with Danticat's recounting of her father's death, which occurred just after their long-awaited reunion. As a young girl, Danticat was separated from her father when he emigrated to the U.S. in search of a better life. She was finally able to join him in the U.S. as a young adult, but their reunion was short-lived, as he passed away soon after. The narrative then shifts to Danticat’s uncle Joseph, the man who raised and had been a father figure to her in Haiti. Faced with growing danger, Joseph flees Haiti, seeking asylum in the U.S. His refusal to be silenced, coupled with his deteriorating health, ends up in his detention by U.S. immigration authorities, causing outrage and despair in Danticat’s family. Through these intertwined stories, Danticat paints a portrait of the immigrant experience and the harsh realities those seeking refuge face. Brother, I'm Dying is a story of loss, love, and hope, capturing one family's experience with immigration, political turmoil, and familial bonds. It's a powerful reminder of the lengths we go to for those we love, the strength it takes to endure life's harshest realities, and the healing power of shared memories and stories.

We Measure the Earth with our Bodies
by Tsering Yangzom
Genre: Fiction


Quarter Three:
  • July
  • August
  • September 
We Measure the Earth with Our Bodies by Tsering Yangzom Lama is a poignant fictional novel that explores the emotional and physical toll of displacement and the search for identity. The story centers on two Tibetan sisters, Lhamo, and her younger sibling, as they navigate the destruction of their homeland and their forced exile due to the Chinese occupation of Tibet. The novel opens with their life in a peaceful rural village, where they are deeply connected to their land and culture. However, the political upheaval that follows forces them to flee and seek refuge in a Nepalese camp, where they struggle to survive and preserve their Tibetan heritage. As the novel progresses, the narrative shifts between the past and present as the sisters try to navigate life in a refugee camp and later in urban spaces. Lama's lyrical prose and vivid storytelling capture the complexities of cultural survival, the pain of exile, and the enduring hope for a future where the Tibetan spirit can thrive. Breathtaking in its scope and powerful in its intimacy, We Measure the Earth with Our Bodies is a gorgeously written meditation on colonization, displacement, and the lengths we'll go to remain connected to our families and ancestral lands. Told through the lives of four people over fifty years, this novel provides a nuanced, moving portrait of the little-known world of Tibetan exiles.

An Unnecessary Woman
by Rabih Alameddine
Genre: Fiction


Quarter Four:
  • October
  • November
  • December 
The fictional novel An Unnecessary Woman by Rabih Alameddine tells the poignant and introspective story of Aaliya Saleh, a reclusive woman in her 70s living in Beirut, Lebanon. Aaliya has spent much of her life in isolation, choosing not to marry and instead dedicating herself to her passion for reading and translating literature. She works in a small bookstore and lives in a modest apartment, her existence often marked by quiet observation and reflection. The narrative weaves through Aaliya's memories as she contemplates her past and her place in the world. Despite her achievements, particularly her translations of foreign literature into Arabic, Aaliya feels unimportant and disconnected from the world around her. She refers to herself as “unnecessary,” a sentiment rooted in her perception of being overlooked by both her family and society. As Aaliya reflects on her past, including the traumatic events of Lebanon’s civil war and her strained relationships with her family, she begins to recognize the significance of her inner life. Her love for literature and her personal translations provide her with solace and a sense of purpose, even if the world never recognizes her work. Throughout the novel, Alameddine explores themes of loneliness, identity, and the search for meaning in a fractured world. With humor and pathos, An Unnecessary Woman offers a poignant portrayal of an independent woman's inner world, her exploration of the human condition, and the power of literature to sustain and transform a life. The novel poignantly addresses the idea of worth, both personal and artistic, and celebrates the quiet resilience of a woman who, despite feeling invisible, creates a rich, meaningful life for herself.

What our Book Club Members
have to say...

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★★★★★

I am a traveler at heart, but now that I have a young family, seeing the world is much harder.  Being a part of the book club helps me continue exploring other cultures and countries and satisfies that inner craving.
Mallory, California

★★★★★

I am very grateful to the travel on purpose book club. I will definitely be signing up for the full year in 2025. I try to avoid hard situations sometimes. Reading these books and discussing them with the authors and the other ladies has reminded me how lucky I am. It's a reminder of what it's like for so many people in our world. Even though it is a very small thing it made me feel I was doing something important and has connected me to people around the nation and people in other countries. For your heart and soul I recommend it. 
Rebecca, California

★★★★★

This book club features books that I most likely would not have read, however the book I read opened my eyes to another part of the world. 
Tammi, Arizona
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Where our Book Club members are located!

In case you're wondering...

What if I can't make it to the Zoom meetings?

That's fine! Do what works for you. Book Club members come when they can and don't worry when they can't. We are a casual and flexible group!

What if I don't feel comfortable talking on the Zoom meetings?

That's totally fine. In fact, you are welcome to listen in and not even turn on your camera. Do what what works for you. We'll just be glad to have you in the book club!

Can you tell me more about the gift boxes?

Each quarter we mail out a gift box that is related to the book and/or the country where the book takes place. Items may include recipe cards, pottery, textiles, leather goods, food items, home décor or jewelry. Each box contains between 3-6 items.

How much of the book club fee is donated to charity?

70% of what you pay to be in the book club goes directly to our do-good partner to fund a special project. The remaining 30% covers the cost of the gift box and shipping.

How do you decide which do-good organizations to give the donation to?

All our partner organizations have been thoroughly vetted. Each one is connected to a book club member who has personally spent time with them, observed their work, and can confirm their authenticity and trustworthiness.

Curious about what we've already read and the impact we've had?
Check out these blog posts:

Celebrating Generosity in 2024
Empowering Women in Sri Lanka
Finding our Louding Voice
Making An Impact in 2023



Still not sure?

Email me and I will be glad
to answer your questions:

dianne@travelonpurpose.com 
Travel on Purpose™ is a full-service travel company ready to plan your vacation. We select the best boutique hotels that are locally owned and work with local tour operators to ensure that your vacation meets all your expectations and benefits the local economy. We identify the hidden gems and unique activities that allow you to immerse in the culture and spend time with changemakers. We organize a visit (that sometimes includes the opportunity to volunteer) with a well-vetted organization doing good work in the community. 100% of our profit is donated back to organizations doing good.
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