Inga Aksamit has published her new memoir, Between Worlds: An Expat’s Quest for Belonging. Inga was introduced to BATW in 2009 by her mother, Dorothy Aksamit, a long-time member of BATW. Inga had always hoped her mother would write a book about their expat life in Pakistan, Peru, Bangladesh, and Indonesia, but she always demurred. After Dorothy’s passing five years ago, Inga missed her deeply. When her father, Carroll Aksamit, passed away two years later, she realized there was no one left to remember their overseas adventures with her. That was when she knew she had to write it herself.
Book Description: At thirteen, Inga finds herself caught in her second war zone as she contemplates another evacuation. Her journey begins at age four when her family leaves California for West Pakistan. From being lost in a Tokyo train station to hiding under restaurant tables in Hong Kong, Inga’s childhood unfolds amid cultural clashes, political unrest, and life in armed compounds. “Between Worlds: An Expat’s Quest for Belonging” vividly recounts growing up in South Asia and South America in the 1960s, exploring identity, belonging, and home. Perfect for fans of Reading Lolita in Tehran and Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight.
Inga will be hosting two book events in the Bay Area:
- Readers Books– June 25, 2025, 5:30 PM | 130 East Napa St., Sonoma, CA 95476
- Book Passage/Left Coast Writers– July 12, 2025, 2 PM | 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera, CA
Jeneé Darden has kicked off her new, show “The Sights + Sounds Show with Jeneé Darden.” If you’re in the Bay Area tune-in to KALW 91.7FM or stream online at www.kalw.org. You can stream the show if you’re outside of the Bay. Jeneé will be covering arts and culture in the Bay Area, and delivering rich interviews with local artists and some celebs too.
Dana Zartner ‘s piece ‘The Tangled Web’ (published in BATW Travel Magazine last spring) just won Gold for ‘Destination Story’ at the 19th Annual Solas Awards. The judges called it the best story about a place that captures its essence and reveals its attractions, making the reader want to go there. You can read Dana’s piece here.
Shannon Gomes has launched The Gomes Guide website, featuring travel inspiration and recommendations for GenX. In February, she also launched her podcast “Mixtape Travels,” focused on inspiring travel conversations for GenX. You can find and listen to “Mixtape Travels” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on her Substack at (https://thegomesguide.substack.com/). Shannon’s first guests include: Jenn Baljko, talking about her journey on foot with her partner from Bangkok to Barcelona; Chef Joanne Weir who talks about her love for the country of Morocco and Susan Van Allen who talks about the transformative power of bringing women to Italy.
Ginny Prior and Nora Heston Tarte both had travel articles in Diablo Magazine in March. You can read Ginny’s Maui food feature here, and Nora’s One Fine Weekend on Yosemite, here.