Alone Time - by Stephanie Rosenbloom (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In our hectic, hyperconnected lives, many people are uncomfortable with the prospect of solitude. Yet a little time to ourselves can be an opportunity to slow down, savor, and try new things, especially when traveling.

Through on-the-ground reporting, insights from social science, and recounting the experiences of artists, writers, and innovators who cherished solitude, Stephanie Rosenbloom considers how traveling alone deepens appreciation for everyday beauty, bringing into sharp relief the sights, sounds, and smells that one isn't necessarily attuned to in the presence of company.

Walking through four cities--Paris, Florence, Istanbul, and New York--and four seasons, Alone Time gives us permission to pause, to relish the sensual details of the world rather than hurtling through museums and uploading photos to Instagram. In chapters about dining out, visiting museums, and pursuing knowledge, we begin to see how the moments we have to ourselves--on the road or at home--can be used to enrich our lives. Rosenbloom's engaging and elegant prose makes Alone Time as warmly intimate an account as the details of a trip shared by a beloved friend--and will have its many readers eager to set off on their own solo adventures.

Review Quotes

"In a society that increasingly values connectivity, moments of solitude are hard to come by . . . In Alone Time, Stephanie Rosenbloom reflects on her solo trips to Paris, Florence, Istanbul, and New York and offers even the most social of social butterflies strategies to reap the benefits of being alone."
--Real Simple

"[Alone Time] will make you want to be a tourist in your own city, and to stay logged out while you explore."
--Bustle

"[Rosenbloom's] enthusiasm and eagerness are like that of a friend warmly reliving their favorite moments from a recent life-changing trip. And her happiness with her serendipitous discoveries along the way is infectious."
--Popmatters

"Rosenbloom offers a leisurely look at the simple treasures waiting to be uncovered by the solo traveler . . . She also unpacks research on the benefits to approaching the world with a willingness to try something new, and a commitment to staying in the present moment. The combination makes for a richly rewarding guide for any explorer, whether of distant lands or one's own backyard."
--Booklist

"Alone Time is both a paean to its title and an invitation to anyone who has ever longed to explore a new city á seul."
--Shelf Awareness

"A joyous, erudite new book that is sure to delight both travelers and armchair travelers, Alone Time is a shapeshifter. Much of it is an elegant and insightful travel memoir . . . but what gives the book its heft and intellectual grounding is the way Rosenbloom is able to use her own experiences as a jumping off point for discussions of the latest psychological and sociological studies into the nature of happiness. . . . It's a deeply satisfying mix for the reader, part travel guide, part guide to living."
--Pauline Frommer, co-president, Frommer's Guidebooks and Frommers.com

About the Author