2021-03-08 Publishers Weekly

BOOKLIFE.COM 77

SELF-HELP & RELATIONSHIP

AfterLIFE: Waking Up

from My American

Dream

Carlo Pietro Sanfilippo |

Stonebrook Publishing

158p, trade paper, $17.99, ISBN 978-1-

7358021-2-1

Sanfilippo’s debut recon-

structs his life story, approaching

it with focused intention, self-

understanding, and joy—and

using it as an example to inspire

others to get off autopilot. After a

divorce and the loss of both

parents, Sanfilippo realized that the apparent triumph of having

accumulated the hallmarks of success—the house, the car, a

booming financial planning business—were not the manifesta-

tion of his true dreams. Instead, they stood only as remnants of the

life he thought he was supposed to live. AfterLIFE recounts his

diving into art, mprov, travel, and therapy, and finally finding what

he feels is authentic growth and deep satisfaction with his world.

Sanfilippo writes straightforward and relatable prose that

persuasively communicates the delight he now finds in building

furniture, performing with others, and connecting with clients.

He’s less successful, though, when framing his story as practical

advice. The book at times occupies an uncertain no-man’s-land

between letting Sanfilippo’s experience passively serve as an

inspiration and offering a self-help guidebook with structured

lessons. Readers with fewer

resources and opportunities

than Sanfilippo may feel disap-

pointed that much of his advice

targets reasonably well-off

people whose challenges come

primarily from internal

expectations.

Sanfilippo powerfully affirms

the value of a “mid-life crisis”—

a process of realignment that

too often is culturally mini-

mized—and of the possibility of

finding new meaning and ways

to relate to others. His elevation

of the “yes and” concept from

improv to life philosophy is

broadly applicable, as is his

belief that being unhappy does

one’s children no favors, but

Sanfilippo’s chief strength is his

skillful grounding of personal

experiences in self-love and

self-trust, with an air of vulner-

ability that will appeal to

readers.

NONFICTION
Hidden Travel: The
Way to More
Steve Brock | Sublimity Press
298p, trade paper, $15.99, ISBN 978-1-
7351188-0-2
Brock, a writer and photogra-
pher who has published in
National Geographic, encourages
experienced and potential globe-
trotters to focus on the journey
rather than the destination. This
guide delights with its stunning
chronicles of Brock’s visits to
extraordinary sites, delicious
samples of his travel photography, and his invaluable tips and
tricks for turning a vacation into a search for “more.” More means
more excitement, more adventure, and more meaning. Brock
tutors travel aficionados on balancing scheduling and sponta-
neity, the mental and literal practices of packing light, and
narrowing a trip’s focus for the most fulfilling experience. What
makes this guide and travelogue a true gem, though, is its useful-
ness not just for transcontinental vacations but also to daily living.
This guide packs a punch when it comes to applying its advice
to areas outside of travel: “Few things are more hidden and less
helpful on a trip (or in life) than expectations. Leave yours behind
to discover more.” Brock urges his audience to take life moment-
by-moment, elongate their perception of time, and experience
day-to-day sights, sounds, and smells with an enhanced sense of
gratitude. Some of Brock’s advice (for example, returning to the
same place night after night, or deciding to extend certain legs of a
trip) will be difficult to follow for
travelers who don’t enjoy the
luxury of being able to choose
like-minded companions for
their trips. At times he overlooks
the more mundane challenges
of touring-- specifically, that
family and friends may vary in
their interests.
Between the specific trip
guidance (such as speaking to
locals about their favorite spots)
and the dazzling photography,
Hidden Travel will inspire
wanderlust not just for grand
excursions but also the
everyday. Brock offers an exer-
cise in appreciation, preserving
the moment, and articulating
what it is that you want, making
this an inviting read for
explorers, adventurers, or those
just seeking a more purposeful
way of living.

Readers discovering

that the “American

Dream” is not offer-

ing satisfaction will

find Sanfilippo’s

story a gentle nudge

for pursuing per-

sonal growth.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design & typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A

Production grades

Cover: A

Design & typography: A

Illustrations: –

Editing: A

Marketing copy: B

This travel book

offers meaningful

advice and stunning

photographs for

those planning a

trip or just looking

for more from life.

PAID REVIEWS

Great for fans of

Great for fans of Alain

de Botton’s The Art of

Travel, Rolf Potts’s

Vagabonding.

Great for fans of

Julia Cameron’s It’s

Never Too Late to

Begin Again, Patricia

Ryan Madson’s

Improv Wisdom.